Love Your Building

Whether it is your office building, primary residence, or a second home, periodic maintenance is essential to its longevity. Any openings to the exterior are prime candidates for allowing in moisture or animals. Both create problems which typically go unnoticed until catastrophe strikes.

Moisture

Moisture can get into wall cavities and create dry rot, which will create structural issues down the road. It can also wick into insulation and sheetrock, causing air quality issues related to mold and mildew, not to mention the odors. Remediation is expensive and time consuming and often will disrupt your life for several weeks.

For a practice, the disruption is measured in rooms. A wet ceiling or wall can take an exam room or operatory out of service while it is dried and repaired, and patients notice a stain or a musty smell. The Environmental Protection Agency advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to keep mold from growing, so a leak found early is a far smaller repair.

Animals

Animals ranging from birds to rats and squirrels also wreak havoc on your building. Birds will nest in the attic, creating a haven for insects as well as leaving their messes both inside and outside on their roosting perches. Squirrels and rats will not only create the same type of issues, but they are also more destructive. They will nest in any type of boxes, clothing, or other items that may be stored. They can get down in the wall cavities and chew on wiring or plastic piping, causing leaks or possibly even a fire.

The walk-around

Preventative maintenance is a good way to protect your investment. Periodically walk around the outside of your building and create a list of items needing attention.

• Are the fascia joints all caulked and painted to prevent moisture from entering?
• Are the soffits all solid and the joints nailed up tight?
• Are all of the soffit vents intact and the screening in place to keep out bugs?
• Are the gutters in good shape and clean so they don't back up and overflow, soaking the fascia and soffit?
• Are tree limbs trimmed back far enough from the roof to keep squirrels and rats from using them as travel routes to and from your building?
• Is the chimney cap in place to keep birds from nesting during the off season?
• Is the chimney itself in good shape and properly flashed to keep water out?

Many practice buildings are built much like a house, with a pitched roof, fascia, and soffits. Bridget McAnthony, DDS Pediatric Dentistry has a steep 14:12 roof and full masonry veneer, and Fort Worth Heart North Clinic has a composite shingle roof. If yours has a low-slope roof instead, add the roof drains and scuppers, the sealant around the storefront glass, and the flashing around the rooftop air conditioning units to your list.

If you lease, the landlord usually maintains the roof and exterior, but you are the one who will see the first stain. Report it in writing. Our guide on what to ask before signing a medical lease covers who is responsible for what.

These are just a few of the items you will want to review to help keep your building healthy and happy! For the roof, caulking, and foundation, see Mitigating Water Damage. We stay available to past clients for repairs and changes as needed.

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