Building envelopes and façades fail for many reasons, most often because of unseen water infiltration, and when that happens in New York City the consequences can be expensive, catastrophic and even a danger to life.
CANY has forensic building investigation capabilities, providing highly specific information to current and prospective building owners, that can prevent or significantly reduce the potential future failing of the building enclosure or façade. Our experience accumulated over almost three decades can help building owners, existing and potential, make informed decisions that protects people, buildings and budgets.
A forensic approach is integral to our everyday at CANY, most especially in relation to our work on the city’s older, more idiosyncratic buildings. Using technology, and non-invasive, non-destructive testing and methods where possible, we minimize disruption but maximize information gathering. A recent project for a designated Landmark building on Broadway protected the integrity of its copper cornices, detected and repaired structural damage, and saved the owner millions of dollars. Our forensic building investigation identified what was going on behind the scenes, and our intervention prevented future failure on multiple fronts.
Similarly, we pre-empted the potential loss of a significant wood frame 1800s building. The building had naturally shifted over time, settling as the old wooden joists moved, causing the windows to become crooked. Using sensors, we monitored any ongoing movement of the building over 6 months. The survey determined its stability, informing our repair decisions to strap the wood that supported the floors, to ensure future movement won’t in the loss of this characteristically crooked building.
If you have concerns and would like a professional assessment of your current or prospective building by our forensic building consultants, contact tseminara@cany.com who will work with you to ensure a potential issue doesn’t become an expensive problem.
