FORENSIC BUILDING INVESTIGATIONS

The building envelope exists for two reasons: first, for aesthetic reasons, to beautify the building’s exterior. Second, and more importantly, the building envelope protects the underlying components and interior from the elements. If the building envelope is not weathertight, it is only a matter of time before damage will occur to those components and to the interior of the building. When leaks occur, there are a number of possible causes, and an inspection should be performed as soon as possible to determine the source. Only adequate investigation will find the cause and provide the path to the solution.

J2 Building Consultants’ highly skilled and knowledgeable team of professionals can provide a variety of inspection services to meet your needs and budget. We consider each property to be unique and the services we provide differ with each project. Our goal is simple: analyze the problem to determine the cause, and prescribe a plan for effective remediation.

Non-Invasive Inspections
Non-Invasive Inspections are performed by reviewing a building’s exterior using different non-destructive methods, such as visual review or pinless moisture meters. J2’s experienced inspection team helps pinpoint “red flag” areas of water intrusion by identifying areas that appear worn or discolored, or which show elevated moisture readings. If any areas of concerns are discovered, an invasive investigation should follow to determine the extent of the damage.

Thermal Imagery
This state-of-the-art technology, developed by the US military, allows us to see behind or through walls using an infrared camera. We can highlight certain anomalies that are not visible on the exterior. This tool is often used to locate specific areas of concern that should be included in an invasive investigation. Learn more about our thermal imaging services.

Air Quality Testing and Mold Assessment
Living with contaminated indoor air can have a variety of serious consequences. While some individuals may have no noticeable reaction, others may experience mild to extreme irritants to allergic reactions. A musty odor and visible mold growth are often indicators of water intrusion, and should be inspected by a qualified and certified indoor air quality inspector. When a client has mold concerns, J2’s Certified Building Science Thermographers can perform indoor air quality testing and surface sampling both independently, or as part of a larger scale investigation. Learn more about our air quality and mold testing.

Owner Survey
The Owner Survey is a powerful tool for discovering the locations and the extent of the problem(s) occurring. In a large community, a detailed description of all problems may not be available until someone facilitates collection of the information. Surveying owners early in the investigation process can help refine the scope of inspection.

Invasive (Destructive) Investigation
This involves removing layers of the building’s cladding, one at a time, to see what is occurring underneath. Locations of the invasive investigation are determined during the non-invasive phase of the project. Once an area is open, we can observe the damage, measure the prevalence of the condition (is it widespread, or concentrated to a specific area?) and determine what defects may be present.

Once we have made our observations, we review our findings and we are able to determine what is contributing to the damage. In addition to the findings report, we issue recommendations to repair any damage or rectify any defects observed.

SERVICES

FORENSIC BUILDING INVESTIGATIONS
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
BUILDING ENVELOPE DESIGN
RESERVE STUDIES & MAINTENANCE PLANS
WINDOW TESTING
COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS
LITIGATION SUPPORT

“I would recommend J2...They are in my humble opinion one of the best in the business.”

-- Property Manager