DIAGNOSTICS & INVESTIGATIONS
Precision-Led Analysis for the Built Environment
At Building Restoration Services, we believe that the most effective restoration projects begin long before a hammer is swung or scaffolding is erected; They begin with understanding. A building is a complex ecosystem of materials, environmental pressures, and structural loads, and when issues arise (be it a persistent leak, cracking façade, or unexplained energy loss) you don’t want to be stuck doing guesswork.
Our Diagnostics & Investigations division services are the analytical core of our operations. We strive to bridge the gap between visible symptoms and root causes, providing property owners and facility managers with the actionable data they need to make informed decisions. By utilizing a blend of time-honored engineering principles and cutting-edge technology, our team aims to uncover the hidden realities of your structure.
We view our role not just as contractors and engineers, but as partners in the stewardship of your asset. Our goal is to extend the lifespan of your building, enhance the safety of its occupants, and optimize its performance against the elements.
Building Envelope Assessments
The building envelope is the first line of defense against the outside world. It is the skin of the structure, responsible for managing moisture, temperature, and air pressure. When this system is compromised, the health of the entire building can deteriorate rapidly. Our building envelope assessments are designed to evaluate the integrity of these critical systems, ranging from historic masonry to modern curtain walls.
Our approach to envelope assessment is holistic. We do not simply look at a single window or a patch of brick; we aim to understand how the various components—roofing, cladding, fenestration, and waterproofing—interact with one another. A failure in one area, such as a roof flashing, often manifests as damage in another, such as interior drywall. By assessing the envelope as a cohesive unit, we can better identify systemic issues that patchwork repairs might miss.
During an assessment, our specialists meticulously document existing conditions, looking for signs of distress such as spalling concrete, failed sealant joints, efflorescence, or displacement. We often collaborate with design professionals to compare the as-built conditions against original drawings, identifying discrepancies that may be contributing to current failures. The resulting report provides a roadmap for maintenance and restoration, prioritizing issues based on severity and risk to help you manage your capital budget effectively.
Water Infiltration Testing
Water is widely considered the most destructive force in the built environment. Persistent moisture intrusion can lead to mold growth, corrosion of structural steel, rotting of wood framing, and significant interior damage. However, locating the precise entry point of water is often notoriously difficult, as water frequently travels laterally within wall cavities before exiting.
Our water infiltration testing services are rigorous and methodical. We utilize industry-recognized protocols—often referencing standards such as those established by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) or ASTM International—to recreate weather events in a controlled environment. By simulating wind-driven rain and static water pressure, we strive to reproduce the conditions under which leaks occur, allowing us to trace the path of ingress.
We employ a variety of testing methods depending on the building type and the nature of the leak. This may range from spray rack testing, which simulates a rainstorm against a window wall, to flood testing on horizontal waterproofing membranes. Our team is trained to distinguish between component failure (such as a broken window seal) and installation failure (such as improper flashing). The data gathered during these tests is critical in developing a repair scope that addresses the source of the leak, rather than just concealing the symptoms.
Thermal Imaging (Infrared Thermography)
Some building defects are invisible to the naked eye until it is too late. Thermal imaging, or infrared thermography, allows us to "see" the unseen by detecting subtle temperature differentials across building surfaces. This non-destructive diagnostic tool is invaluable for identifying trapped moisture, insulation voids, and air leakage without the need for invasive demolition.
In the context of restoration, thermal imaging is particularly powerful for flat roof analysis. Wet insulation retains heat longer than dry insulation; by scanning a roof surface after sunset, our thermographers can often map out areas of saturation that are trapped beneath the roof membrane. This targeted approach can potentially save clients significant resources, as it may allow for surgical repairs of wet areas rather than a premature total roof replacement.
Beyond roofing, we utilize thermal imaging to assess vertical facades for thermal bridging—areas where heat bypasses insulation—and air infiltration. In masonry structures, thermal anomalies can sometimes indicate delamination or voids behind the surface. By interpreting these thermal patterns, our team can provide a deeper layer of insight into the building's performance, helping to guide energy efficiency improvements and verify the quality of completed installations.
Structural Assessments
The structural integrity of a building is non-negotiable. Whether dealing with an aging historic landmark or a contemporary parking garage, ensuring that the load-bearing elements are sound is paramount for safety. Our structural assessment services focus on evaluating the condition of concrete, steel, timber, and masonry components to detect signs of degradation or distress.
We pay close attention to the specific mechanisms of deterioration that affect buildings in our climate. For reinforced concrete structures, such as balconies and parking decks, we look for evidence of chloride contamination and carbonation, which can corrode internal reinforcing steel and cause concrete to spall. In masonry buildings, we assess the stability of parapet walls, the condition of shelf angles, and the bond strength of the mortar.
Our assessments often involve a combination of visual inspection and tactile sounding (hammer tapping) to locate delaminated areas. When necessary, we can coordinate deeper analysis, such as extracting core samples for laboratory testing or uncovering concealed structural steel to check for section loss. The goal of these assessments is to provide a clear, objective picture of the structure’s health, allowing owners to address safety hazards proactively and plan for necessary structural rehabilitation.
Failure Investigations
When a building component fails prematurely, it is essential to understand why. Was it a material defect? A design oversight? An installation error? Or simply the result of deferred maintenance? Our failure investigation services are designed to answer these questions through a forensic approach to building pathology.
We treat every investigation as a unique case study. Our team meticulously gathers evidence, which may include reviewing maintenance logs, studying construction documents, and performing on-site destructive testing to expose underlying layers. We often work backwards from the failure, peeling away the layers of the problem to identify the catalyst. For example, a cracking stucco facade may not be a stucco problem at all, but rather a result of insufficient expansion joints or improper substrate preparation.
This service is particularly valuable for clients involved in disputes or insurance claims, where establishing the cause and origin of a defect is critical. While we do not offer legal guarantees, our reports are technical, factual, and detailed, providing a solid foundation for understanding the sequence of events that led to the failure. By identifying the root cause, we aim to ensure that the restoration plan we propose prevents history from repeating itself.
Some building defects are invisible to the naked eye until it is too late. Thermal imaging, or infrared thermography, allows us to "see" the unseen by detecting subtle temperature differentials across building surfaces. This non-destructive diagnostic tool is invaluable for identifying trapped moisture, insulation voids, and air leakage without the need for invasive demolition.
In the context of restoration, thermal imaging is particularly powerful for flat roof analysis. Wet insulation retains heat longer than dry insulation; by scanning a roof surface after sunset, our thermographers can often map out areas of saturation that are trapped beneath the roof membrane. This targeted approach can potentially save clients significant resources, as it may allow for surgical repairs of wet areas rather than a premature total roof replacement.
Beyond roofing, we utilize thermal imaging to assess vertical facades for thermal bridging—areas where heat bypasses insulation—and air infiltration. In masonry structures, thermal anomalies can sometimes indicate delamination or voids behind the surface. By interpreting these thermal patterns, our team can provide a deeper layer of insight into the building's performance, helping to guide energy efficiency improvements and verify the quality of completed installations.
Drone Technology
Innovation is a key pillar of modern building restoration, and drone technology has revolutionized how we approach diagnostics. Traditional access methods—such as swing stages, pipe scaffolding, or boom lifts—can be expensive, time-consuming to set up, and disruptive to building occupants. Drones allow us to bypass these hurdles for initial inspections, providing high-resolution imagery of hard-to-reach areas safely and efficiently.
Our drone pilots can capture detailed 4K video and high-resolution still images of rooflines, cornices, high-rise facades, and chimneys that would otherwise be dangerous or difficult to inspect. This aerial perspective is invaluable for triage; it allows us to quickly identify "hot spots" of deterioration across a large campus or a tall structure without a single technician leaving the ground.
Furthermore, the data collected by drones can be processed into orthomosaic maps or 3D models, creating a digital twin of the building’s exterior. This allows our team to measure dimensions, calculate quantities for repair materials, and track the progression of deterioration over time with high accuracy. By integrating drone technology into our workflow, we strive to lower the cost of initial assessments while increasing the safety and speed of data collection.
Moving Forward with Clarity
At Building Restoration Services, we understand that your property is likely one of your most valuable assets. Protecting it requires more than just maintenance; it requires vigilance and intelligence. Our Diagnostics & Investigations team is dedicated to providing you with the clarity needed to navigate complex restoration challenges.
Whether you are dealing with an active leak, planning a capital improvement project, or simply performing due diligence on a new acquisition, we are ready to assist. We invite you to leverage our expertise to ensure your building remains safe, watertight, and resilient for years to come. Reach out to us today to see how we can help Survey, Restore, and Maintain your building!