Building Envelopes: Focus on Energy
Part 1: Managers Need to Identify Common Air-Leak Paths
Part 2: Wet Insulation Decreases a Building's R-Value, Thermal Efficiency
Part 3: Infrared Cameras Can Detect Thermal Bridging, Air Leaks, Wet Insulation
Part 4: Building Envelope: A Maintenance Checklist
Part 5: Replacing Windows Improves Building Envelope Efficiency
Building Envelope: A Maintenance Checklist
By Eric J. Seaverson, P.E. - August 2009
Before managers can develop a maintenance program for the building envelope, they must ensure the system is as functional as possible. Ensuring the building envelope is functional could require a year’s worth of maintenance or an extensive capital investment. A capital project could include a roof replacement, sealing significant amounts of openings in the back-up wall construction, and replacing windows.
Once managers have established a functional and relatively efficient building envelope, they can develop a maintenance plan. A typical plan includes:
• visual surveys of deterioration and openings in roofs
• annual repairs of detected deterioration
• infrared surveys of roofs every five years
• visual survey of wall-system components annually
• sealants in wall systems and window perimeters
• window glazing gaskets
• cracks and openings in wall-system components
• interior survey of openings in wall systems above the ceiling
• infrared survey of wall components every five years.
