Coming of Age: How to Keep Your Next Major Hotel Upgrade from Causing Major Moisture Problems
 Hospitality owners and property managers across the country and around the world are approaching (or have already observed) a birthday many don't want to celebrate.
Their buildings, typically 30-35 years old, are in need of undergoing what the industry refers to as "major upgrades" falling under the regularly planned work cycle.
Examples include timely upgrades for building envelopes and HVAC infrastructure that are not part of the normal refresh cycle.
In the process, owners and managers are discovering that what may have been previously acceptable in terms of what constituted a successful building review is no longer acceptable because of building age.
Due to age-related factors, these buildings are requiring forensics-based surveys and analysis that utilize building forensics expertise - something unnecessary in earlier years.
These experts are tasked with reviewing and executing a 30-year refurbishment plan that includes an evaluation of overall building performance (moisture/condensation, HVAC, building envelope, and dehumidification/mold issues) and a proposal of the extent of refurbishment that will occur.
Florida-based building forensics firm LBFG has been in the trenches doing this kind of work in recent months, assisting particularly in matters involving building envelopes and HVAC systems.
Building owners are beginning to see the wisdom of moving building forensics expertise upstream in the planning process. By coming onboard earlier, experts are able to apply criteria that insures money is being well-spent and building performance is being enhanced. They also provide greater credibility of building durability moving forward.
"In the building ownership world, in order to avoid major moisture problems, there comes a time in every building's life cycle when a forensics approach to building upgrades is needed, even if there is not a known building failure," said LBFG President George DuBose. "Our experts can advise property managers about what course of action to take once resorts reach that critical 30-year refurbishment requirement."
A recognized leader in solving, remediating, and litigating complex moisture and mold-related building failures, LBFG has extensive expertise in investigating and resolving construction and design deficiencies in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast states, as well as in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and Southeast Asia.
LBFG staff have authored 3 manuals currently serving as industry standards for avoiding and resolving mold and moisture problems, including both the NCARB training monograph used by architects worldwide and Disney's in-house design guidelines.
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