Turning Forensic Findings into Solutions
When a building experiences water intrusion in the building envelope, foundation shifting, or issues with HVAC systems, the first step is a forensic evaluation. Building forensics is an important discipline. It pinpoints the underlying causes of a property’s structural and environmental problems.
But an assessment alone isn’t enough. To guarantee solutions that work long-term, the insights from that forensic report must translate into action.
Watch the video below to learn how a comprehensive forensic assessment and a unified team can resolve building maintenance issues.
Limitations of a Standalone Forensic Assessment
A forensic analysis, no matter how detailed or well-executed, is only the beginning of the process. While it identifies symptoms and root causes, relying solely on the report can leave gaps if not followed up with appropriate interventions.
Building issues are often multifaceted. For example, occupants might first notice moisture infiltration because of poor indoor air quality. Moisture issues often stem from poor window seals, inadequate HVAC design, or landscape drainage issues. Addressing only one of these aspects can leave other contributing factors unaddressed, leading to recurring problems.
Assessments that don’t transition into actionable plans may also result in:
Reoccurring issues
Higher and repeated repair costs
Additional downtime dealing with issues
A comprehensive solution requires more than just diagnosing symptoms. It requires a plan for remediation and ongoing maintenance.
One issue that buildings sometimes face is steel corrosion. Corrosion can often be concealed behind surfaces and take the form of rust or cracking. A forensic investigation reveals the extent of the damage and what steps a building owner should take. But a report that sits on a shelf is of little use. The findings need to be put to action.
That’s where GHP’s approach stands out. We translate technical findings into practical solutions, working closely with contractors and facility managers to ensure a smooth transition from diagnosis to repair.
Designing Solutions for an Occupied Building
One of the biggest challenges in implementing forensic solutions is working within operational buildings. Repairs often occur on-site while people continue to use the space, making traditional renovation methods impractical.
Consider a hospital dealing with moisture intrusion. Shutting down key areas for repair isn’t an option. An effective approach involves phased repairs and detailed coordination with facilities management, administration, and department leads to minimize disruption.
In one project, GHP worked with a hospital to address severe moisture issues while maintaining full operational capacity. We scheduled repairs during off-hours and cooperated with hospital staff to ensure patient care remained unaffected.
The Importance of Coordination in Forensic Services
Forensic repairs aren’t the same as typical construction projects. They require an additional layer of collaboration between architects and contractors to determine the right repair methods.
Resolving a moisture problem might involve coordination between many parties:
Window installers
HVAC technicians
Landscape designers
Without careful oversight and collaboration, gaps between trades can lead to incomplete solutions or the reemergence of issues.
Turnkey Solutions
It’s tempting for building owners to simply give a forensic report to a contractor and let them handle repairs. But that’s a risky decision. If something new is uncovered during the repair process, a contractor may not properly address it. Then the original problem could continue.
A turnkey solution in building forensics means providing full-service support from the initial assessment all the way to implementation. Make sure the firm you choose:
Takes ownership of the entire process, continuing to provide service after delivering a report
Ensures that any solutions proposed are buildable, sustainable, and minimally disruptive
Stays in constant communication with clients and educates them on maintaining their buildings post-repair
Providing turnkey forensic services isn’t just about fixing the current issue. It ensures that the problem doesn’t occur again.
When a Small Problem Becomes Complicated
A large commercial client initially thought they had a simple window-sealing issue. But it turned out to be a more complex moisture intrusion problem.
GHP’s investigation found the property had a combination of poor HVAC operation due to differed maintenance, landscaping that prevented water drainage from building systems, and exterior envelope deficiencies caused by age. Any one of these issues independently may not have caused major problems, but the combination of all three acting together created a bigger issue. And addressing just one of the issues and not the others would not have solved the problem, leading to future recurring issues. By addressing all these factors simultaneously, we saved the client time and money, preventing future issues that could have arisen from incomplete repairs. We also educated the client on the importance of HVAC maintenance in order to prevent a recurrence.
Conclusion
In building forensics, an assessment is an important first step, but it’s only a small part of the solution. GHP understands that resolving complex building issues requires a full-service approach, from assessment to design and implementation. Our turnkey, start-to-finish approach to solutions addresses the root causes of problems, ensuring a building’s long-term health and functionality.