Building Works was requested to conduct an inspection of a newly constructed commercial building in the NE of Calgary. The purpose of the inspection was to review the building and prepare a comprehensive deficiency list. The building is a two-storey steel frame structure on top of a concrete underground parking structure. Our observations are as follows:
Except for the metal fire rated doors at fire exits, all of the windows and doors are a residential grade and not a commercial standard type. The use of residential windows is not a problem, but in the long term, residential doors will not stand up the traffic of a commercial building.
All of the windows and doors have issues with the caulking and general detailing of the finishes around the windows and doors. Either the caulking is not done, or it is done poorly and not finished well.
Generally the stucco finish around the windows is finished poorly or not at all.
The installation of metal flashings at windows and doors is not done well with poor laps and many places where the flashings are not installed consistently level or in a straight line.
The installation of the entrance canopy panel material is poorly done.
On the South, East and West Elevations there are angled dividing trims to differentiate between different wall finishes. Those angled trims are wavy and not in a straight line.
The stucco to stonework interface is poorly completed
The exterior concrete stairs on the East Elevation do not have a consistent rise and run, and will be a fall hazard.
The lobby panel walls were left with a raw and unfinished edge and nail heads exposed. The finish is rough and not done in a craftsman like manner.
The railing on the stairs and on the second floor walkway has inconsistent detailing where the posts are fastened to the floor.
There are a number of cracks in the parkade ceiling where water is weeping through the suspended concrete slab and dripping on the floor below. This indicates that the waterproof membrane installed on the top side of the structure is not watertight.
There are many locations where the roof membrane is not fully bonded, and the top coat is beginning to sag. Also, there are many seams where the sheets of the top coat are not fully bonded.
There are many locations where the stucco and flashing interfaces were not installed in a watertight manner and is not finished well.
There are numerous locations where flashings are not fitted together and may be blown apart by high winds.
The roofing system installed is not sloped and water is ponding.
The three windows on the west side of the North Elevation show signs of water leaks. The problem is either the windows directly above are allowing water ingress, or there is a roof leak.
Building Works specializes in building envelope restoration and was subsequently contracted to restore this building to its original design standards.
We first removed all exterior cladding and sheathing. We also removed door and window perimeter tie-ins, concrete sidewalks and structural slab membranes.
Exterior cladding and sheathing competed with moisture barrier membranes. Repair door and window perimeter tie-ins, including engineered waterproof detail and hemmed flashing details. New sidewalks, parkade waterproofing, and exterior finishes. Window detailing and finishing touches done with pride and craftmanship.
The work done by Building Works has protected the investment in this building and maintained the expected life-span.