Water may be essential to life, but, as a destructive force, water can diminish the value of your client’s home or building. An inspector is required to report any present conditions or clear indications of active water penetration that s/he observes.
Homes as well as commercial buildings can suffer water damage that results in increased maintenance costs, a decrease in the value of the property, lowered productivity, and potential liability associated with a decline in indoor air quality. The best way to protect against this potential loss is to ensure that the building components that enclose the structure, known as the building envelope, are water-resistant. Make sure that the plumbing and ventilation systems, which can be quite complicated in some buildings, operate efficiently and are well-maintained.
Check for Water Intrusion
The following are common building-related sources of water intrusion:
windows and doors. Check for leaks around windows, doors, and storefront systems in commercial buildings.
the roof. Improper drainage systems and roof sloping reduce the roof's life and become a primary source of moisture intrusion. Leaks are also common around vents for exhaust and plumbing, and rooftop air-conditioning units and other specialized equipment in commercial buildings.
the foundation and exterior walls. Seal any cracks and holes in exterior walls, joints and foundations. Such cracks and holes often develop as a naturally occurring byproduct of differential soil settlement.
the plumbing. Check for leaking plumbing fixtures, dripping pipes (including fire sprinkler systems in commercial buildings), clogged drains (both interior and exterior), defective water drainage systems, and damaged manufacturing equipment, if applicable in commercial buildings.
the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. Numerous HVAC system types -- some of them very sophisticated -- are a crucial component to maintaining a healthy, comfortable work environment in commercial structures. They are comprised of a number of components (including chilled water piping and condensation drains) that can directly contribute to excessive moisture in the work environment. In addition, in humid climates, one of the functions of the system is to reduce the ambient air-moisture level (or relative humidity) throughout the building. An improperly operating HVAC system will not perform this function.
Check for Water Intrusion
Taken from Nachi.org
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