What are Remedial Building Services?

There are a wide variety of reasons as to why a building might require remedial building services.

Usually, a remedial builder focuses on a building’s strength, structural integrity, and safety. While it is often the case that older buildings require remedial repairs, in reality, any kind of property can suffer from structural concerns.

If, for example, a building is constructed from concrete that was not set correctly, it runs the risk of creating concrete cancer. Concrete cancer is when water seeps through concrete structure, causing rust to form and cracks which can significantly affect structural stability. In this situation, a remedial repairs builder may undertake waterproofing activities and test the structural foundations of the building to make sure that it is safe to live in.

As mentioned, it is often older buildings that require remedial repairs, but poor workmanship, alongside unforeseen environmental factors, can also be to blame.

Buildings located in coastal locations are particularly susceptible to incurring damage that requires attention from a remedial builder. This is because of the eroding effect that salt air can have on building surfaces and underlying structures. If you are a property manager working in a coastal location, it’s imperative that you have the number of a good remedial services provider close at hand.

Types of remedial services

A remedial repairs provider will typically offer a wide range of services, all designed to ensure that a property is a safe place to live and work.

These services may include:

• Concrete repairs
• Rendering repairs
• Timber repairs
• Facade repairs and upgrades
• Waterproofing
• Specialist and protective coatings
• Leak detection
• Brick/crack stitching
• Damp repairs

How to choose a remedial builder

If you’ve never worked with a remedial builder before or are thinking that it might be time to go with a new service provider, there are several key points to consider when it comes time to make your selection.

These include:

• Services offered: Sure, you might just be looking for someone to waterproof the strata building that you manage. However, further down the track, you may require concrete repairs. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the same service provider attend to both issues? Ensure that your remedial builder offers a wide range of services.
• Location: It’s important that you opt for a provider who has experience working in your community. Not only will working with a local remedial builder mean that you are supporting local businesses, but they will have unique, first hand knowledge about the environmental conditions that could affect your building. They will have seen similar issues before and understand the quickest and most cost-effective way to stabilize your building.
• Level of professionalism: Not all remedial building services providers are created equally. Before making your final decision, be sure that you are partnering with a professional provider. Check whether their builders have qualifications and what their level of experience is. Make sure you clearly understand how the provider will communicate with you and what their expectations are for the worksite while conducting repairs.

Organising remedial building repairs are part and parcel of being a property manager. By partnering with the right provider, you will have confidence in the structural integrity and security of your building.

Programmed provides complete maintenance solutions to businesses across Australia and New Zealand. With a workforce of over 2,000 skilled staff, we have the expertise to meet your every property maintenance requirement.