3 Risks of Hurricane Impact on Building Structures
Hurricanes take a toll on commercial structures. From the intense winds and moisture to the hazards of flooding, it’s vital to prepare your building for it all.
Depending on your geographical location, you may need to think about hurricanes and tropical storms frequently. Here are the top risks of hurricanes and the damages they can leave on structures.
1. Water Intrusion
Water damage inside a commercial building often calls for elaborate cleanup. Any time you have high wind speeds during a flood, it’s easier for rainwater to enter structures through weak points in foundations, roofs, windows and doors.
Water intrusion is one of the most serious forms of building damage from hurricanes. Damp conditions create breeding grounds for mold and mildew. You may need to air out rooms, clean walls and floors, and schedule inspections to determine the structural integrity of your commercial space before reopening post-storm.
2. Building Breaches
Hurricanes can cause great devastation the closer a structure sits to the shoreline. The chances of a building collapse go up when winds reach speeds of 100 miles per hour or more. Winds at these speeds inflict an immense deal of stress on parts of a building — especially structures made with delicate materials like wood.
Buildings in areas prone to hurricanes may have reinforcement shutters for windows. The effectiveness of these devices depends on how well they are installed. Hurricane shutters are far from indestructible and can be pulled from the side of a building under certain conditions. When a severe storm breaches a building, expect moisture and wind to take a toll on flooring, walls, beams and ceilings.
Concrete is subject to incredible stress during a hurricane. Damage to concrete can be caused by wind or pieces of debris landing on surfaces. The chances of cracking increase when only traditional concrete pouring techniques are used during construction or repairs.
Although it can be tough to shield concrete surfaces from a hurricane, partnering with the right team for concrete services gives you some peace of mind your commercial walkways and structures can be put to the test. Relying on post-tension solutions to increase the strength of concrete mixtures when possible is proactive in areas that see hurricanes regularly.
Building Considerations Before and After a Hurricane
The best way to reduce environmental risks to your structure is to count on a trustworthy team for preventive measures before a hurricane — and repairs following a weather emergency.
Keep these preventive measures in mind:
- Moisture control solutions: See what you can do to organize coating treatments for floors, update grouting throughout your building and enhance water pipe seals before a hurricane.
- Corrosion control solutions:Impressed current and galvanic solutions for metal and concrete surfaces go a long way in the fight against hurricane damage.
Common repairs after a hurricane include:
- Building facade repairs: Reuse what you can of an existing structure and depend on a reliable building crew to help you repurpose indoor spaces as you see fit post-hurricane.
- Repair structural damage: Have an experienced professional take care of concrete repairs, masonry upgrades and external post-tensioning work in response to hurricane building damage.
Repair Your Building With STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES
The team at STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES has years of experience helping property owners with storm repairs. Tell us the impact a recent hurricane had on your building, and we’ll come up with a custom approach.
For more information about our repair services and products, get in touch with us online today.