HVAC system elements, exhaust vents, air
intakes, joints around windows and doors,
and fire alarms, to name a few. Unplanned
holes may also be present caused by aging
brick joints that need re-pointing, vanishing
sealants, damage from acid rain and settling
cracks.
• Building control and expansion joints -
Like any other element of a structure, its
controls and expansion joints can become
damaged. Evidence of damage includes
warping, cracking, leaking water, loosening
screws and building settlement or moving.
• Walking/driving surfaces - When water
infiltrates concrete, it can freeze, causing the
water to occupy nine percent more volume
than in its liquid state. This expansion
causes distress on the concrete, which can
lead to fractures that will continue to grow
exponentially as saturation of the material in
creases. Cracks, spalls, rust spots,
deterioration, pot-holes and heaves are all
signs of damage.
• Copings and flashings - When surveying
the roof, be sure to inspect the copings and
flashings. Water damage to exterior and
interior walls can be significant if these
important elements are not maintained
properly.
The second part of any preventive maintenance
program is the execution. The data collected
during the inspection should be presented to the
owner for budget considerations. Depending on
the condition of the structure, repairs may need to
be prioritized. It is also important to evaluate the
need for protective measures such as scalers or
coatings. A specialty contractor with experience in
facade maintenance and restoration can itemize
each inspection item and offer the owner specific
recommendations for repairs.
Spring marks an ideal time for building owners
and facility managers to survey their buildings
and structures for any damage that may have
resulted from the cold, winter weather, make
repairs and perform preventative maintenance to
18 | Masonry Design
protect the exterior going forward. The spring is
also a great time to thoroughly clean a building’s
exterior.
A clean facade projects professionalism, can
increase sales for businesses located within the
building, increase the life of the property, improve
the building's value and make surveying winter
damage easier to see.
Facade cleaning can be performed using a
variety of methods including: high-pressure water,
low-pressure water, sandblasting, wet aggregate
blast, hot water steam, chemicals, soda blast,
poultice, glass bead and sponge blast.
Just like our skin protects our valuable internal
organs and projects our outward appearance,
so does a building’s exterior. Every building or
structure should have a preventive maintenance
program in place for its exterior components, no
matter the building material used. Preventive
maintenance keeps the building off the deferred
maintenance path, which usually results in
exponential restoration costs, prevents
structural failures and promotes safer structures,
plus a well-maintained exterior helps to attract
and keep tenants.