What Are Building Envelope Repairs & Why Are They Important
Building is a science. Creating a building that stands the test of time is an important process. Almost equally as important are regular repairs, maintenance, and cleaning. Old or new, any commercial building in Edmonton should have a maintenance schedule. That includes hard to reach areas such as confined spaces and heights.
What is a Building Envelope?
The City of Edmonton defines a building envelope as “the physical separator – the walls, roof and foundation – between the inside and outside of the building. The design, configuration and performance of the building envelope has a direct impact on your comfort, home heating bill and your home maintenance costs.”
It guards against the transfer of three things:
- Air
- Thermal energy (heat and cold)
- Moisture
Any or all of these may transfer from from the interior space to the exterior of the building, or vice versa, if the envelope is unstable or becomes damaged.
Why Envelope Repairs Are Important
The transfer of air, thermal energy, and moisture has damaging effects on buildings in Edmonton. Building design and construction typically reflects our extreme seasonal changes. However, wear and tear can affect the most solidly built structures. That’s why it’s important to complete repairs on both the interior and exterior of any building in Edmonton.
Regular maintenance is the best option, even for new buildings. A regularly scheduled maintenance plan helps keep the structure of the building intact. Here are a few benefits of regular repairs:
Safety & Cost-Savings
Small repairs to an envelope are important, but the RAS crew can also help spot big problems before they worsen. That leads to cost-savings because we can often slow or fix the problem to prevent massive repairs or construction. It also increases safety for everyone using the building.
Better Energy Efficiency
Your thermal envelope acts as a barrier to heat and cold. An envelope system that hasn’t been maintained is often leaky. That means you lose heated or air conditioned air through the envelope. It also allows outside air inside.
Caulking around windows and doors is an important aspect of energy efficiency. A maintenance crew should be recaulking every time they have the opportunity to do so.
Improved Air Quality
The interior environment of a building should always be as clean as possible. Clean air contains less allergens, bacteria, chemicals, and other harmful substances. Air ventilation systems often have filtration components to help keep air clean. Checking, cleaning, and fixing air barriers and air filtration systems helps improve the air quality of a building.
Long Term Structural Soundness
As buildings age, their components may wear out. Certain materials will deteriorate or shift. Even small issues such as minimal cracks in concrete can easily escalate.
All the parts of a building envelope work together. That’s why it’s important to have repairs done on both the interior and exterior of a building. Often, problems on one side will be the result of an issue on the other side. With regular checks and fixes on both, the longevity of a building is greatly improved.
Important Components of Building Envelope Repair
Our team looks at all structural and facade repairs when we’re working so nothing is missed. Depending on your building envelope design, we will examine, repair, or report on:
- Insulation
- Windows and caulking
- Doors and caulking
- Ventilation and air filtration systems
- Crack control joints and concrete slabs
- Roof, ceilings, and support controls
- Building enclosure and exterior cladding systems
Crack Control Joints
Concrete can expand and contract with heat and cold. That often causes cracks. Cracks are problematic because they allow moisture to seep through.
Control joints are used to allow slight movement in specific parts of larger slabs. This prevents random cracking. Instead, it creates “controlled cracking” in specific places.
Exterior Wall Cladding Systems
A cladding system is a panel system used on the exterior of a building. It covers up the material below. It’s often used for aesthetic purposes.
Due to the exterior placement, cladding systems can become damaged or worn. This compromises the structural integrity of the building.
When Will You Schedule Your Next Building Envelope Repair?
RAS provides full-service building envelope repairs in Edmonton. Our minimalistic equipment is safer, less disruptive, and less damaging to your building. We regularly clean and repair hotels, malls, government buildings, condo complexes, and more in Edmonton.
To learn more about scheduling maintenance, or how we can help protect your building for decades to come, call us today.