A well-maintained façade protects the building against air infiltration, water leakage, energy loss, corrosion, and extreme temperature. However, time and exposure to external elements can deteriorate a building. Façade decline can lead to building concerns such as decreased performance and potential risks.
Additionally, people consider aesthetics and functionality when buying a property. They judge a building on what is visible to them. If they notice peeling paint on the façade walls, they might think the building is not worth their money.
Façade assessments and upgrades are essential to increase the building’s value. Inspecting the façade’s conditions allow building owners to restore its structural integrity and repair defective components. They can use findings and recommendations from the assessment report to create maintenance strategies and develop a budget for capital repairs.
Undetected façade problems can lead to expensive rehabilitation projects. They can also risk public safety and might result in injuries or deaths. Thus, building managers should identify signs of façade damage and deterioration, including:
- cracks;
- leaks;
- corrosion;
- displacement; and
- material deterioration.
Eliminating and preventing these issues will help property owners maintain their property’s condition and achieve peak performance. With the increasing number of buildings collapsing, it is essential to address structural problems immediately to avoid liabilities and further costs.
In New Jersey, the Jersey City Council passed an ordinance mandating building owners to perform property condition assessments NJ. They issued this after the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers in Surfside, Florida, which resulted in significant casualties.
The regulation provides that a licensed architect or building inspection engineer NJ should conduct a façade assessment every five years. Buildings over six stories tall or structures with at least four-story masonry façades must perform a building and façade inspection. After the assessment, property owners must submit a Façade Inspection Report within thirty days.
To learn more, here is an infographic from Lockatong Engineering.
