Building Inspections Help Determine Extent Of Needed Repair Work
By John Glynn - President, Garden State Commercial Services
BAYONNE, NJ - A thorough inspection of a commercial building will help owners maintain value in their property, retain tenants, lessen maintenance costs and possibly eliminate costly insurance claims.
Commercial and industrial buildings are the work horses of the real estate trade. Often they operate 24-hours a day and house cumbersome pieces of equipment that produce intense vibrations. Is it any wonder walls crack, floors warp and window frames shift? Simple, but regular, inspections will reveal small problems that can be addressed before they become bigger and more costly problems for an owner. Take some time to inspect the following areas of your property and determine if repair work is required.
Remember, rain, wind and pollution create most of the problems that affect a building. A regular inspection, in conjunction with a regular maintenance program, can extend the life of a property. Fixing a crack now will be less expensive than replacing an entire wall in the future.
1) THE ROOF - Is the roof material showing signs of wear or cracks? Minor repairs can often extend the life of a roof. Water should be draining off the roof properly and not pooling in depressions. In winter, standing water can turn to ice and become an unnecessary weight on the roof. While on the roof, inspect down spouts to see that they are attached properly to the building and are free of debris, such as leaves and branches.
2) ROOF COPINGS - Inspect the copings around the parapet on the roof. Are any pieces missing, broken or cracked? These kinds of problems can lead to water damage. The mortar joint material shouldn't be loose or falling out. If the copings are metal they should be secured tightly, with the overlapping ends properly sealed.
3) THE PARAPET - From outside the building visually inspect the parapet wall to make sure it is straight and not leaning to one side. Some bricks may show signs of forward movement but they shouldn't be loose. Check the bricks in the wall for cracks, especially a succession of cracks that form a staircase-like pattern. This may be indicative of more extensive problems.
4) WINDOW HEADERS, CASINGS AND SILLS - These components shouldn't show any signs of decay or leaning away from the framing. The window units should fit snugly into the walls and not show signs of cracking from water damage or dry rot.
5) WINDOW AND DOOR LINTELS - Lintels should be straight, with no evidence of bending or rust. Is the paint peeling? A quick touch up can help a lot. Here also, check the condition of the caulking.
6) WINDOWS AND DOORS - All windows and doors should be inspected regularly for leaks and drafts. These problems will increase heating bills. Are there any window panes or door panels cracked that should be replaced? Inspect the caulking around the frames and determine how much wear it has experienced. Simple caulking may prevent frame cracks. Make sure all windows and doors are fitted correctly into their frames, and have not shifted into a crooked position. And finally, simply check to make sure all windows and doors open and close easily and properly.
7) AIR CONDITIONER OPENINGS/SLEEVES - Inspect all air conditioner openings and sleeves to determine if they are secure and properly supported. Are any of the supports cracked, rusted or loose? The air conditioning units may be discharging excess water that cause rust under the windows. The caulking around these areas also needs to be inspected for wear.
8) FOUNDATION - Visually check the foundation of the building, both from the exterior as much as possible and inside from the basement. Are there cracks that permit water leakage? Check to see if there is any chipping of the foundation or if there are pieces missing. Are any areas covered with soot or dirt? These dirty covered areas may be hiding other unseen problems.
9) SIDEWALKS/STEPS - Take a walk along all pathways surrounding the building and inspect for cracks and missing pieces. Cracks can result in springtime frost heaves. Are the concrete slabs shifting? This might indicate water flowing underneath or other problems.
10) VERTICAL WALL CONDITION - The exposed walls of every building need a periodic visual inspection, especially the face of the building wall. The face wall should be inspected for general eye appeal. Are there moisture stains that indicate water leakage from some other area? Eye appeal is important because, in addition to structural problems, it will affect rentability.
(Garden State Commercial Services, Inc., is based in Bayonne, N.J. A majority of the stock of this independent company is owned by Garden State Brickface Windows & Siding, with headquarters in Roselle, NJ.) | 
