The protection of a home or commercial building from water and the outside environment with a properly designed and installed building envelope is one of, if not the, most important factor to the construction of any property. Studies show that water damage makes up 30% of construction related insurance claims every year, totaling an estimated 16 billion dollars in payouts. Additionally, nearly 70% of all construction lawsuits are due to water intrusion. Water, while crucial to life, is one of the most destructive elements in nature in regards to weathering and erosion and the damage it can cause to a structure.
Because of the destructive nature of water damage and the frequency with which it can occur, a proper building envelope system is crucial to protect any type of structure. A building envelope is comprised of multiple systems that work together to protect a building or home from top to bottom utilizing specific materials and techniques that prevent water intrusion and other elements in the environment from damaging the structure. In order for the building envelope to be successful in it’s function, all of it’s various systems and components need to function together as one to keep out moisture. If it is not, often this can be where problems occur.
The important of a well integrated building envelope is well stated in Waterproofing The Building Envelope by Michael T. Kubal “Even with continual technological advances in materials, water continues to create unnecessary problems. This is most often due to an envelope’s inability to act as n integrated system preventing water and pollutant infiltration. All too often several systems are designed into a building, chosen independently and acting independently rather than cohesively.“
In fact, a lack of cohesiveness is why so often, building envelopes can fail. From the roof to the ground below the bottom of the structure, each waterproofing system needs to transition well from one to the other, and utilize the proper materials and techniques for the type of structure, it’s physical location, local environmental factors and more. If this is not done right from the very beginning, it can cause costly repairs later on for the property owner.
How do you ensure your building envelope is water tight? Simple answer, by hiring an expert building envelope consultant during the building process to make certain it’s done right now, and not going to cost you a fortune in repairs later. A building envelope consultant has expertise across all facets of building envelope design and implementation. They work with your contractor and/or architect to make sure the proper materials and installation methods are used, and that the systems you have in place are right for your specific situation. Whether it’s new construction, a building or home remodel, or leak forensic investigation, having a third party expert waterproofing professional involved in the process from the beginning is crucial to the health and longevity and of your property.
