Although building envelope problems can seem to be easily identified, the fact is that with most of them, it’s hard to accurately pinpoint the real root cause. Because they are often camouflaged as another issue, detection and repair are difficult. Problems can hide in plain sight, occuring in hidden locations not discovered until significant damage has already been done.
The best time to protect yourself against the cost and hassle of building envelope performance problems is at the very beginning—during initial design and construction. For new construction projects, owners, developers or architects will want to call a consultant when they want their building envelope to deliver:
- Superior durability & performance
- Improved energy efficiency
- Overall quality and value
- Ease of future care & maintenance
For existing buildings, addressing identified issues immediately is extremely important. Early detection and repair is the best way to avoid potentially disastrous failures and costly emergency repairs. At the same time, improvements can be made that will prevent similar problems from occurring in future. For owners or managers of existing buildings, any of the following are indicators that it's time to bring in a professional to investigate:
- Stains or persistent wetness/dampness on walls, ceilings or floors
- Staining, deterioration, or persistent moisture on concrete or metal
- Premature paint failure or corroded window/door framing
- Mould & mildew or persistent musty odors
- Drafts & cold spots near windows/doors