Modern building codes and structural engineering have made our buildings extremely safe places to live and work. However, buildings require ongoing maintenance and, when signs of structural damage appear, immediate action is essential. According to the National Institute of Building Sciences, deferred maintenance costs can escalate by 3% to 4% annually, making proactive inspections critical to both safety and cost management. The stakes are high — structural failures, while rare, can result in catastrophic consequences for building occupants and owners alike.
The following are five primary actions that building owners should take to prevent major structural issues:
1 . Conduct comprehensive annual inspections. Third-party professionals should perform annual inspections to identify issues that could lead to deficiencies or damages. Research from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) indicates that buildings with regular professional inspections experience 30% to 40% fewer emergency repairs compared to those inspected irregularly. Major structural components should be assessed by structural engineers with specific experience in building evaluations. When issues are identified, corrective actions should be documented and implemented promptly.
Inspectors conducting building assessments should review any changes following renovations, additions or alterations that may affect the building’s structural integrity. Adding loading to a roof, relocating walls or other modifications can adversely impact a building’s stability. All renovations or upgrades must receive proper sign-off from authorities.
Post-event inspections following major weather events are equally important. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that 90% of natural disasters in the United States involve flooding, making drainage system checks critical to preventing water damage.
2. In high-rise towers, prioritize concrete integrity monitoring. Regular inspections should include identification of concrete spalling, where concrete has fallen off or detached, particularly in structural columns. The American Concrete Institute notes that corrosion of reinforcing steel is responsible for approximately 40% of structural deterioration in concrete buildings. If reinforcing steel deterioration is present, immediately engage a structural engineer to assess the damage.
Carefully monitor wall cracks, as new buildings may settle. Cracks that grow, spread or show ongoing deterioration require immediate professional evaluation. In coastal areas or regions with freeze-thaw cycles, concrete deterioration can accelerate, making vigilant monitoring even more critical. Building owners should maintain detailed records of crack locations, sizes and progression to help engineers identify patterns that may indicate serious underlying issues.
3. Dedicate financial reserves for capital improvements. The International Facility Management Association recommends allocating 2% to 4% of a building’s replacement value annually for maintenance and repairs. Postponing known issues due to funding constraints places buildings and occupants at significant risk.
Deferred maintenance can increase repair costs by 500% to 600% over time, per industry research. Building owners should develop long-term capital improvement plans that anticipate major system replacements and structural upgrades. This ensures that funds are available when critical repairs are needed and demonstrates responsible ownership. This can positively impact property values and insurance premiums.
4. Implement early risk detection protocols. Building management should maintain familiarity with their properties through regular assessments. Training maintenance staff and leadership to recognize potential warning signs can help identify issues between formal inspections. The Building Research Establishment found that facilities with trained maintenance personnel identify structural concerns an average of six to eight months earlier than those without specialized training.
Documenting assessments creates a record that reduces both property and liability risk. Building staff should be trained to recognize common warning signs such as unusual sounds, vibrations, visible deflection in structural members, water stains or changes in door and window operation that might indicate shifting or settlement.
5. Review insurance coverage annually. Owners should never reduce coverage as a cost-cutting measure. Industry data shows that 40% of businesses never reopen following a major property loss, often due to inadequate insurance coverage. Have a formal review of insurance policies and coverage completed by a trusted insurance professional to ensure protection aligns with current property values and risk exposure.
As building values increase and renovation work adds value to properties, insurance coverage must keep pace. Additionally, emerging risks such as climate-related weather events may require policy adjustments to ensure adequate protection.
Taking these five measures cannot guarantee a building will avoid a catastrophic event, but they substantially reduce risk. Studies by FM Global demonstrate that buildings with comprehensive maintenance and inspection programs experience 60% fewer major loss events compared to those with reactive maintenance approaches.
Frank DeLucia
Executive Vice President
Hub International Northeast
frank.delucia@hubinternational.com
(212)338-2395
