Building Inspection – Building Rank Services

Inspection Of Old Buildings:

Inspection of old buildings is a very sensitive matter, as these buildings may have passed through a long period of time and may have been exposed to many events and influences. Therefore, a comprehensive inspection of these buildings is required.

In This Article, We Will Present Several Important Topics Related to Examining Old Buildings, Including::

• How To Conduct a Comprehensive Inspection of Old Buildings.
• The Role of The Building Inspection Engineer and The Ten Most Important Points That the Buyer Should Pay Attention To.
• The Importance of The Inspection Report for Buildings.
• Benefits Of Conducting an Inspection of Old Buildings.
• Signs Indicating the Need for Maintenance and Restoration of Old Buildings.
• Methods And Methods of Restoring Old Buildings.

First: How are old buildings inspected?

Inspecting old buildings is a process that requires extensive experience, and with technological advances, modern devices have emerged that provide great benefits in this field. One of the leading building inspection companies is BUILDING RANK, which is the first in the Arab world to provide building inspection services.

Upon receiving the request, a specialized engineering team from BUILDING RANK is sent to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the building. Multiple aspects are examined including infrastructure, electricity, air conditioning, humidity, thermal insulation, plumbing, windows, floors, ceilings, as well as building facades, among others.

Our engineers use the latest global devices and check more than 700 points to detect all possible problems.

Through this inspection, you will be able to identify all the defects of the building and comprehensively evaluate its quality.

Second: The Work of a Building Inspection Engineer and More. 10 Points That the Buyer Must Pay Attention To:

The building inspection engineer at our company BUILDING RANK is responsible for inspecting many elements, and this is done through a comprehensive examination of all aspects of the building, which are as follows:

1. Checking the structural elements in the building, such as columns, bridges, rebar, etc., because they play an important role in the strength of the building’s structural element. The inspection also includes corrosion, leakage and damage that may affect the building structure.
2. A building inspection engineer inspects floors, ceilings, walls, windows, doors, etc. for any damages. Floors and ceilings are exposed to corrosion, damage and cracks as a result of daily use, and this greatly affects the stability of the building and its ability to bear loads.
3. The building is inspected mechanically, including plumbing, electricity, lighting, and the air conditioning system, if any, in addition to checking for the presence of moisture that may cause serious damage to the building.
4. You must know if there are old plumbing fixtures that need to be replaced, as old plumbing fixtures may have been exposed to corrosion, causing water leaks and discoloration of the water, so it is recommended to renovate fixtures throughout the building for better performance.
5. Old electrical installations must be checked to ensure they can meet the needs of modern electrical appliances, so it is recommended to renew wiring, switches and electrical panels to improve safety and provide the necessary capacity for modern technology.
6. A clear and detailed building inspection report is prepared that contains all the defects found and the necessary recommendations for their repair.
7. An estimate of the building's lifespan is provided, to determine its long-term sustainability and stability.
8. Recommendations are made to strengthen the structure and increase its lifespan, based on the results of the examination and estimation of the expected lifespan. Recommendations are made to strengthen the structure and increase the life of the building.
9. The safety and quality of a building's infrastructure is determined by examining elements such as foundations, supporting columns, drainage and drainage systems, to ensure that there are no damages or defects that affect the stability of the building.

Third: The Importance of a Building Inspection Report:

Our company's availability of building inspection services can be of critical importance. A comprehensive inspection of old buildings includes many advantages that can protect you from risks and help you make the right decisions.

A detailed and comprehensive building inspection report is prepared by our professional engineers, revealing all visible and hidden defects that may be present in the building.

This report gives you an accurate understanding of the quality of the building and its ability to be used sustainably, so you can make an informed decision about purchasing or investing in the building, and negotiate prices based on the accurate information you obtain.

Fourth: Benefits Of Inspecting Old Buildings:

Keeping old buildings in good condition requires a lot of effort and patience. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a periodic examination, as this entails many important benefits, including:

• Early detection of the causes of problems and treatment of them as soon as they occur.
• Discover all potential problems and work to fix them before using the building.
• Avoid unexpected additional expenses.
• Ensuring the quality of construction and the absence of risks threatening the safety of residents.
• Reduce problems and malfunctions through regular maintenance.
• Determine whether the building can be restored and reused, or if demolition and rebuilding are necessary.
• Estimating the age of the building and evaluating the materials used in construction.

Through this method, buildings are preserved and renovated to extend their life as much as possible, and all necessary recommendations and repairs can be obtained through the building inspection report provided by Building Rank.

Fifth: When Do Buildings Need Maintenance and Restoration:

Building restoration operations aim to maintain the structure and repair the damage it has suffered, and generally occur when the following circumstances occur:

1. Errors of residents in the building:

Some perform incorrect work that affects the structure, such as demolishing parts of walls to install air conditioning units or widening window openings.

Some may also drill holes in ceilings or walls to install chimneys, which negatively affects the strength and sustainability of the building.

2. Negligence:

Masonry may develop cracks, leaks, or moisture problems that require immediate attention. But when these problems are neglected, they can get worse over time and cause serious damage to the building.

To maintain the sustainability and durability of the building, all necessary work must be planned during its construction, problems must be addressed as soon as they arise, and no procrastination and postponement must be taken.

Sixth: Methods of Restoring Old Buildings:

There are several ways to restore old buildings after being evaluated by a building inspection company, and they include the following procedures:

• Foundation reinforcement: This is done by digging and cleaning the concrete surfaces and installing a protection layer for the rebar to protect it from corrosion.
• Reinforcing columns: This is done by adding a layer of concrete reinforced with rebar with a thickness of no less than 10 cm to strengthen the bearing capacity.
• Bridge reinforcement: This is done by adding iron bars to increase the durability of the concrete and enhance it.
• Repairing cracks and fissures: This is done by repairing superficial and deep cracks in the structure using appropriate filling and renewal techniques.
• Addressing moisture problems: This is done by identifying and preventing the causes of leaks, and implementing procedures to dry the building and reduce excess moisture.
• Repairing floor subsidence and tilts: This is done by repairing and leveling damaged floors and correcting any tilt in the structure.

To complete these restoration works, we rely on a team of technicians and contractors specialized in this field to carry out the procedures correctly and effectively.

Conclusion:

Periodically inspecting and maintaining old buildings is a real opportunity to revive those buildings and make them livelier and more suitable for habitation. Regular inspection is an urgent necessity to preserve these buildings, and their enhancement and renovation are crucial to keeping pace with modern architectural developments.