C — November 23 - December 6, 2012 — The Road to Recovery — Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marejournal.com
T he R oad to R ecovery
By Charles Logan, Kurt Kalafsky & David Johnson of The Aztec Corp./Aztec Architects LLC Post storm preliminary building assessment
A
fter any major storm or weather event it is important to do a visual
stable. Sink holes near or along your foundation will require immediate further investiga- tion for structural stability. 4- Look for foundation cracks. New cracks in your foundation are a sign of excessive stress and should be investigated further to determine the ap- propriate remedy. 5- Are any walls out of plumb – This could indicate structural damage and should be investi- gated further ASAP. 6- Check to insure the house is resting properly on its foun- dations. Any signs of shifting or racking should be investigated
and addressed immediately. 7- Check for wet drywall, car- peting, furniture, insulation, etc. They should be removed at the earliest possible time in order to avoidmold growth. Wet drywall is a breeding ground for potentially harmful molds and bacteria. 8- Check wood flooring to insure it is level and not heav- ing in any way. A heaving wood floor indicates water infiltration and hidden mold which should be removed immediately. 9- Inspect all supply and waste water piping in order to insure no leaks are present. Any sign of leaks should be immediately addressed by a licensed plumber. 10- Verify there is no natu- ral gas smell in air inside and around the outside of the structure. If in doubt, call the local utility company to inspect for leaks. 11- Is the above ground heat- ing oil tank intact and con- nected properly? Any loose or broken connections should be corrected immediately. 12- Is the below grade oil tank still below grade or has is risen/floated to the surface? If your tank shows any sign of movement call you Oil Supply Company immediately. 13- Is the exterior siding and/or any exterior building skin intact? Loose or missing façade materials could allow water infiltration which could harbor mold growth. 14- Is your roof sheathing damaged by falling trees or debris? If so your structure may have been impacted by a tree, limb or other debris. Also inspect your attic in that area for possible hidden structural damage. 15- Are all roof shingles in place and lying down? Loose or missing shingles could allow water infiltration which could harbor mold growth. 16- Are roof flashings intact and in place? Loose or missing flashings could allow water infiltration which could harbor mold growth. 17- Is the Chimney leaning or does it appear to be disturbed by flying debris? If so it must be fixed before a fireplace and/or your boiler is utilized. 18- Is your satellite dish hanging? If so it needs to be secured before further damage can occur. 19- Inspect the telephone and cable lines to the house to continued on page 16C
evaluation of your structure for any possible damage that may need to be addressed. The fol- lowing list is a sample of some of the primary areas of concern that may need further evalua- tion for possible remedy before further damage occurs: 1- The electrical system should be checked by a licensed electrician before turning the power on. This is to insure all components are dry and will function without causing any shorts and reducing the pos- sibility of hazardous live wires
Charles Logan
Kurt M. Kalafsky
David N. Johnson
debris. Damage to the exterior skin could allow water infiltra- tion which could harbor mold growth. 3- Check to see if the struc- ture is undermined and/or un-
which could cause electrocution or fire. 2- The exterior of the struc- ture should be surveyed for any impact damage caused by windblown and water born
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AZTEC. COMPLETE PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
From clients to employees, your environment has an effect on everyone. It’s often the first…and last impression they see. Can your image afford to let those opportunities pass without making the most of them? “Total Architecture” is our mantra at Aztec. Let it make a difference for you.
Base Building Architecture I Interior Architectural Design I Facility Master Planning Complete Project Management I Relocation Execution Management On-Going Facilities Management I Construction Execution Management
SM
Woodbridge Place, 517 Route One South, Iselin, NJ 08830
Call 732.636.8989 or visit www.aztec-architects.com
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