The exterior of a building is a very important part which is directly related to the quality of interior walls, health, energy cost, etc. In this article, we will discuss the importance of a building's exterior.
What is inspected outside the building?
A building inspector is responsible for inspecting the exterior of a building by considering the following parts:
· Siding :
The exterior cladding acts as an envelope that protects the building against wind, severe temperatures, water infiltration, etc. It is therefore very important to keep it in good condition. Therefore, holes and openings should be plugged and caulked, the coating should be cleaned and cracks should be repaired, as well as any other maintenance that needs to be carried out.
Figure 1 Presence of a crack on the exterior wall
Figure 2 Poorly repaired and poorly sealed opening, masonry joint to be redone.
Figure 3 Poorly sealed opening on the outside
· Lintels and spandrels:
The lintel is a structural element that supports the load of materials located above a window or door. The lintel transfers the load on each of its sides. The freeze-thaw cycle, combined with corrosion and rust, caused by the permanent presence of humidity on these parts, weakens the lintel and substantially reduces its support capacity.
The brick facing placed on a corroded lintel which is expanding could become unstable and create cracks in the mortar. And even openings likely to allow insects and small harmful animals to enter. In addition, water can affect the structural components of the building and promote the proliferation of mold that is harmful to the health of occupants.
Figure 4 Rusty window lintel
Figure 5 The damaged exterior covering above the door
On the other hand, the sill is a masonry element located at the bottom of the window, with a positive slope, it allows water to move away from the frame and the framework thereof. It is therefore very important to keep the spandrels in good condition, in order to be able to protect the building against water infiltration and the passage of water behind the masonry, which can be the cause of premature deterioration of the framework. and even the appearance of rot or mold.
Figure 6 Damaged sill below window
Figure 7 Cracked and poorly repaired sill below the window
· Permanent doors and copings
The permanent door is a component not fixed to the exterior of the building. It protects the home against intrusions and bad weather. It is therefore necessary to check the tightness of the door, the solidity and the effectiveness of the lock.
The seal ensures the door closes watertight and protects the building structure and the interior floor covering from water infiltration. It also minimizes heat loss in winter and reduces cold air infiltration inside the building.
In order to avoid damage caused by water and improve the energy efficiency of the property, it would be very important to check the tightness of the doors and their weather stripping once a year. Then, carry out the necessary corrections by a person skilled and competent in the matter.
Figure 8 Damaged door seal
Basement windows are an area that can become problematic, as rainwater can enter easily and abundantly. To prevent water from infiltrating through basement windows, there must be a clearance of at least 20 cm (8 in.) between the finished ground outside the building and the underside of the basement window.
When this distance cannot be respected, a coping must be added, in order to clear the window frame from the damp ground.
Figure 9 coping installation
Figure 10 Insufficient clearance between floor and window base
· Eaves, fascias and soffits:
These architectural elements help protect water intrusion and infiltration from the exterior of the building. The condition of soffits should be inspected for gaps or shifts to prevent pests, bats , birds, rodents and squirrels from invading the soffits. attic, while maintaining adequate ventilation for the attic .
In areas with high winds that drive rain under the eaves, soffits prevent water from entering the building. If they are not well maintained, water could accumulate there.
Figure 11 Opening in the soffit
Figure 12 Damaged soffit
Figure 13 Wasp nest on soffits
· Water evacuation:
The general topography of the land and the surrounding area of the property should allow surface water to flow towards municipal sewers, ditches or other parts of the land where it can be absorbed without problems into the ground. Water should be kept away from the building so that the foundation is not in constant contact with water.
In some cases, a poor drainage slope is created when there is subsidence of the ground along the foundation. This phenomenon of subsidence, commonly called the overflow effect, occurs when the earth used for backfill around the foundation settles and the water erodes the soil. The expansion of the land is therefore a normal and predictable reaction. However, despite this threat, people often neglect this fundamental maintenance of the flow slope. To prevent significant problems caused by the presence of water, it is therefore necessary to improve the control of runoff water, by producing a positive slope around the building, with the addition of adequate backfill material, for example, crushed stone, backfill sand or backfill earth.
Figure 14 Negative slope of the draining soil towards the building
As mentioned above, inspection of the exterior of the property is very important to protect the building against water infiltration, heat loss, insect entry, etc. , hence the importance of a pre-purchase, pre-sale inspection or even an assessment of a hidden defect on the exterior of the building.
As building consultants, we carry out inspections of exterior cladding, eaves, fascias and soffits, water drainage, permanent doors, lintels and spandrels, to check whether there is any There are hidden signs and clues that could lead to identifying the source of a major problem.
Take advantage of our building expert services, it’s reassuring! We are here to help you clarify the problematic situation and inform you of the corrective measures to be taken, contact us by email at info@habitationprestige.com or by text at 514-742-4663 and we will get back to you quickly to discuss the matter. your needs.
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