Building Envelopes: The Outside Story

This article was originally posted in Maintenance Solutions. 

Facilities present maintenance and engineering managers with an array of evolving challenges and priorities. One constant, if overlooked, priority is proper maintenance of the building envelope. But this area of maintenance often presents more questions for managers than the initial problem suggests. In some cases, the answers to these questions can be disheartening, such as when workers must quickly perform large, burdensome projects.

A comprehensive building envelope maintenance program can deliver a range of important benefits to organizations. It can prevent building deterioration, reduce long-term maintenance costs, improve a building’s appearance, and reduce occupant disruptions caused by such problems as leaks.

Perhaps just as important these days, proper inspection maintenance of a building exterior can help workers identify and repair sources of energy waste caused by poorly installed or maintained exterior materials and components.

Inspection Issues

Maintaining building exteriors is essential for protecting the efficient operation and appealing appearance of a building. The envelope blocks the entry of water and wind, helping to prevent interior damage and disruptions and to maintain a comfortable environment.

If managers do not address these components as needed, the resulting failures and deterioration can prove costly in the long run. Exposure-related problems include damage from water infiltration, mold growth and loose elements falling from the exterior. A proactive approach to exterior maintenance can prevent these occurrences, reduce liability and keep tenants happy.

A maintenance program for building exteriors should include regular assessment and observation. Managers can implement the program using in-house workers who perform the inspections biannually. Specifically, inspectors should note areas of shifted or displaced elements, cracks, spalls, stains, or other forms of deterioration they can observe from the ground, roof, balconies, or terraces. Window cleaning crews can aid in inspections. Since they have access to upper stories of a building that maintenance staff probably can’t observe, ask them to report any exterior components or materials that might require attention.

Observations do not need to be confined to the exterior of the building. Inspectors also should record reports of water entry into a building, including when the entry occurred, its extent, and weather conditions at the time.

Read the full article here to learn more about facility exterior cleaning.