Mastering the Craft: A Guide to Building Restoration Specialists
In the realm of construction and engineering, there exists a specialized field that combines engineering expertise with construction knowledge: building restoration. As engineers deeply entrenched in the construction industry, We have taken on the pivotal role of building restoration specialists. With a unique blend of engineering expertise and contractor know-how, we have played a crucial role in preserving architectural heritage, reviving historic structures, and breathing new life into Florida’s aging buildings.
In this article, I’ll delve into the multifaceted world of building restoration, shedding light from the perspective of an engineering company who are also contractors that specializing in Building restoration.
Why are building restoration specialist so crucial to South Florida
After the collapse in Surfside, Florida had a big wake-up call. This was a tragic event where many people lost their lives due to problems with the structural integrity of the building. South Florida is one of the most beautiful cities in the world thanks to it’s proximity to the ocean but there is a dark side to this beautiful city. The amazing oceans are also the cause of many of the structural problems that buildings have to endure.
If you have been around the water for a long time you know that the salt from the oceans is incredibly corrosive and will completely dissolve metal if it is exposed for long periods. Well, this is what happens to buildings in South Florida. Due to evaporation the salt molecules become suspended and start to accumulate around the Building.
A small crack in a wall can cause some of the salt to penetrate inside and corrode the structural rebar beneath. This creates a corrosive layer over the rebar which in turn starts to expand the concrete. After some time the concrete can not take it anymore and breaks. This is what concrete repair specialists call spalling. Once the concrete has been compromised the salt ions in the air can easily penetrate any exposed rebar and it’s all downhill from there.
This is why you should call a Building Restoration Specialist at the first sign of spalling. If you can get the spalling fixed right away it will minimize the cost of restoring your building. This is also why the Florida Building Safety Inspection program was put into place. Although it might seem like a nuisance it is also beneficial to the building owner. Checking your building every couple of years actually saves you money in the long run so that the damage does not get out of control and can be repaired.
Navigating Technical Challenges IN BUILDING RESTORATIONS
Historic Buildings are not the only Buildings that need restoration. As a matter of fact many of Florida’s buildings need to be restored which is why the Florida Building Safety Inspection program was created. In the first phase of the program, a Professional Engineer or Architect provide a visual inspection of a building and determine whether it needs to be further inspected.
Due to our extensive experience in Building Recertifications in South Florida we have seen it all. We have also repaired many buildings in Florida and have overcome many of the hurdles required when restoring a building. As concrete repair specialist and structural inspectors we have seen both sides. On inspection side we have seen common areas where buildings fail and can spot damages quickly. On the construction side of things, we have developed many techniques to overcome the challenges of repairing an old building. Here are some of the problems that can occur when restoring a building.
SOUTH FLORIDA HISTORIC BUILDING REPAIRS
Out of all Building Restoration, Historic Buildings are the most complicated. Many of the materials and techniques used to create these magnificent structures are no longer in use. Due to their Architectural Legacy and historic significance, they require a delicate repair to preserve it as it once was. Many building departments also require the exterior of the facade to remain the same. This means that after all the repairs are done the building should still look exactly how it used to when it was first built. This presents many challenges and is one of the reasons historic building restorations are so costly.
BUILDING RESTORATION INSIDE OF COMMUNITIES
When developers are building out a modern community they usually create all of the buildings to look identical. This saves cost and time by replicating the same building over and over again and also gives the community a uniform look. However, when it comes to repairing these buildings, many associations or Building management groups require the repairs to not change the way the building looks. We have encountered this in the past when the balconies of buildings were built with a technique that is no longer in use. This presents a big challenge for the contractor completing the repairs. Trying to match the style of a balcony guard rail that is in a complicated shape can be very costly.
Restoring buildings in busy neighborhoods
Some buildings are located in very busy areas. This presents a challenge for the building repair contractors. In order to repair the exterior of a building it must be made safe so that none of the construction materials fall and potentially hurt someone. This is why many times you see nets that are put up around a building in order to keep the surrounding area free from falling debris.
BUILDING RESTORATION NEAR THE OCEAN
If your building is located on the water or near it, special care must be taken to ensure that none of the debris from the construction falls into the ocean and pollutes the sea. City Inspectors are always looking our for this and can give you a hefty fine if they see that your construction job is polluting the surrounding ocean or lake.
What makes a building restoration specialist
There are many factors to consider when hiring a building restoration specialist. How much experience do they have? What projects have they worked on in the past? Do they have experience repairing old buildings? Do they pick up the phone when you call? What do customers say about the company? Do they have any references to customers that have used their service?
These are all questions you should be asking before hiring a building repair company. Our team of engineers and contractors have more than 100 years of combined experience in Building Inspections, Concrete Repair, and most Building Repairs. We have worked on everything from historic buildings to newer buildings that tried to cut costs and ended up having to repair the buildings.
If you are looking for a building restoration specialist feel free to give us a call. We are always happy to help you and answer any questions you might have regarding your Building restoration.
