Building Inspection – Building Rank Services

Old Buildings Inspection:

Inspection of old buildings is very sensitive, because this building has been around for a long time, and may have been exposed to many events, so a comprehensive inspection is necessary.

In this article, we will present several important topics, which are:

• How are old buildings inspected?
• The work of the building inspection engineer, and the 10 most important points that the buyer should pay attention to.
• The importance of a building inspection report.
• Benefits of inspecting old buildings.
• When do old buildings need maintenance and restoration?
• Methods of restoring old buildings.

First: How Are Old Buildings Inspected?

Inspecting an old building is a process that requires a lot of experience, and with the technological development, modern devices have become available that provide great benefit in this work, and the best building inspection company is BUILDING RANK, the leading and first company in the Arab world, which provides building inspection services.

When we receive the request, we will take the initiative to send an engineering team consisting of a number of the company's engineers, from all specialties, to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the building.

The inspection is done from all aspects (structural, electrical, mechanical, humidity, thermal leakage, plumbing, windows, floors and ceilings, in addition to building facades and others).

Our engineers use the latest international devices, and inspect more than 700 points to inspect and monitor all problems.

Through this inspection, you will be able to identify all the building's defects and its quality.

Second: The work of a building inspection engineer, and the 10 most important points that the buyer should pay attention to:

The building inspection engineer at our company BUILDING RANK is responsible for inspecting many items, and this inspection includes all aspects of the building, which are as follows:

1. Verifying the structural elements in the building such as (columns, bridges, cracks, reinforcing steel, etc.) due to their importance in giving the building structural strength, and the inspection also includes corrosion, leakage, and damage to the building structure.
2. The building inspection engineer inspects (floors, ceilings, walls, windows, doors, etc.) for any damage. Floors and ceilings are subject to corrosion, damage, and cracks due to age, which greatly affects the building's capacity and stability.
3. The building is inspected mechanically, which includes (plumbing, electricity, lighting, air conditioning, if any, etc.). This includes searching for moisture because it causes serious damage to the building.
4. Knowing if there are any worn plumbing fixtures, because old plumbing fixtures may have been corroded from the inside. Pipe wear leads to rust accumulation, leakage, and water discoloration. Therefore, we usually recommend replacing them throughout the building as the best solution.
5. Checking old electrical fixtures because they may not have sufficient capacity to draw enough power for modern electrical appliances. Therefore, we recommend renewing all wires, switches, and electrical panels. To provide more safety and the ability to keep up with modern devices.
6. Preparing a clear, detailed, and understandable building inspection report that includes all existing defects.
7. Providing all necessary suggestions for repairing faults through a building inspection report.
8. Estimating the expected life of the building.
9. Providing recommendations for strengthening the building and increasing its life.
10. Determining the safety and quality of the building infrastructure.

Third: The Importance of a Building Inspection Report:

Inspecting old buildings by a building inspection company is very necessary and important, because a comprehensive inspection saves you from many dangers.

The building inspection report that our engineers prepare after completing the inspection reveals all visible and hidden defects.

The report gives you an accurate idea of the quality of the building and its suitability for housing, which enables you to make an informed decision, make the right decision and negotiate the best price.

Fourth: Benefits of Inspecting Old Buildings:

Old buildings have a unique appeal, but keeping them in good condition requires a lot of effort and patience. Therefore, they must be periodically inspected for their many benefits, the most important of which are:

• Knowing the causes of problems as soon as they occur.
• Revealing all problems and taking the initiative to maintain them before using them.
• Avoiding additional uncalculated expenses.
• Ensuring the quality of the housing construction and the absence of risks threatening its residents.
• Periodic maintenance to reduce problems.
• Determining the possibility of restoring it and using it or not, and it must be demolished and rebuilt.
• Ensuring the age of the building and the building materials used.

In this way, the building is preserved by restoring it and extending its life as much as possible, and all recommendations and repairs can be obtained through a building inspection report provided by Building Rank.

Fifth: When Do Buildings Need Maintenance and Restoration:

Building restoration is a set of works that support the building, the aim of which is to maintain the building due to its exposure to damage. Which led to large cracks and fissures, and the most common causes of these are:

1. Defects caused by the building's residents:

Many people make mistakes that affect the building. Such as demolishing part of the wall to install air conditioners or expand window openings.

Some also pierce surfaces or walls to install chimneys. Which negatively affects the strength of the building and its ability to bear.

2. Defects caused by neglect:

Some cracks, fissures, or leaks in sewage pipes may appear in the building, and moisture problems may appear and be neglected. Which makes them worsen over time, causing serious damage to the building.

To maintain the strength and durability of the building, all work must be planned when building it, all problems must be addressed as soon as they occur, and no procrastination must be done.

Sixth: Methods of Restoring Old Buildings:

There are many buildings that are found to need restoration after being inspected by a building inspection company, and they are restored as follows:

• Reinforcing foundations: This is done by digging and cleaning concrete surfaces, and reinforcing the lower bases of the building with a protective layer, to protect the iron from rust.
• Reinforcing columns: This is done by adding a layer of no less than 10 cm thick of iron-reinforced concrete.
• Reinforcing bridges: This is done by adding a number of iron bars to increase the strength of the concrete.
• Maintaining all superficial and deep cracks and fissures.
• Treating moisture and eliminating its causes.
• Treating floor subsidence and slopes

To complete the previous maintenance work, technicians and contractors specialized in completing these works are used.

Conclusion:

Periodic inspection and maintenance of old buildings. Gives them a new lease on life, and makes them more vibrant and suitable for housing, so inspection is important and necessary in order to preserve them, and reinforcement and renovation are of utmost importance. So that these buildings can keep pace with the architectural development taking place.