Aging buildings can pose a genuine threat and liability to occupants, owners, and other surrounding infrastructure if they are not inspected and maintained correctly. A building or structure is considered aging after it reaches 25 years or older. Around this age, buildings can begin to experience a breakdown in the envelope and structural components. Proactive inspections and maintenance at the first sign of distress will prevent damages from worsening or posing a life-safety liability. Our team at Forum Forensics is an expert at identifying the first signs of aging in buildings and educating building owners, adjusters, Home Owner Associations, and attorneys on the next steps to prevent a catastrophic event.
Signs of Aging
Theaging of a structure generally occurs due to exposure to natural elements. Overtime, repeated exposure to rain, wind, snow, salt, extreme temperaturevariations, or other pollutants will cause the decay or deterioration ofbuilding materials. Visual evidence of structural decay includes:
- Concrete Decay - cracking or bubbling of stucco, block, brick, or mortar
- Roofing Deterioration- cracks in the chimney, sagging or cracked ceiling, absence of asphalt from the roof materials, evidence of water or moisture leaks in the ceiling.
- Foundation Failure - uneven gaps in the doors and windows, soil pulling away from the structure, and cracks in the floor.
All these elements should be inspected regularly and maintained to preventsignificant structural damage.
The Risks
Suppose you allow an aging building to go on without inspection or timely repairs. In that case, you can expect problems to escalate and begin to put occupants' health and livelihood at risk. Potential outcomes for aging buildings include:
- Mold - Molds can be toxic to human health and exacerbate respiratory issues. In addition, it can spread beyond the starting location resulting in costly repairs or evacuation of the structure.
- Fire - Old electrical, HVAC, and lighting systems are among the leading causes of building fires. Flammable building materials and dated tenant separation wall application can pose an additional life-safety risk in the event of a fire.
- Flooding - Dated plumbing materials and unmaintained plumbing systems are the third leading cause of building flooding. If the source of flooding is unaddressed, the extenuating damage can include mold and significant damage to the structural components.
- Structural Collapse - From years of rodent and insect intrusion, moisture damage, and general decay, the risk for structural collapse increases. If other risk factors and building updates remain unaddressed, it puts a structure at even greater risk for failure.
Building inspections are critical for the health and well-being of its occupants, owners, and the community. Therefore, if you have any concerns about the risk factors listed above, do not wait to have them investigated.
Preventative Measures
One thing is certain: time continues, and it isn't possible to prevent a building from aging. Still, building owners can avoid serious issues by staying up to date with building inspections. Proper inspections are vital in Florida, especially in coastal areas. In Florida, it is a requirement that condominiums and cooperative buildings are inspected every ten years after 30 years of age and after 25 years in coastal regions. In addition, high-hazard occupancies must be reviewed or inspected annually as required by insurance carriers. Elements of a building that should be pro-actively inspected include:
- Roof systems
- Elevator systems
- Plumbing
- Lighting
- Fire alarms
- HVAC
- Windows
- Building façade and envelope
- Structure
The frequency of the inspection type depends on the location of the building, the occupancy, and the construction type.
In the case of uncertainty, it is recommended to move forward with a structural inspection and mitigate any findings in the report. Our team at Forum Forensics is ready to assist you with structural and forensic inspections and requirements. Contact the Forum Forensics team today; we are ready to provide timely and accurate service.
