Reddy Kancharla Explains How to Identify and Avoid Construction Deficiencies

Construction defects are common, but the majority of them are minor and insignificant. On the other hand, Reddy Kancharla notes that the most dangerous flaws could endanger people or property. Whether a defect is major or minor, the problem remains: defects are typically not discoverable until long after you complete the work, and defending against defect claims is a complicated (and expensive) task.

 

What Are Common Types of Construction Defects?

Defects in the Design

These flaws result from a design professional's failure to create accurate and well-organized construction documents. Design flaws occur as a result of an error or omission. Errors usually necessitate a redesign and replacement of a part, whereas omissions can be corrected by expanding a contractor's scope of work via change orders.

 

Defects in the Material

"Material defects" occur due to faulty or insufficient building materials. When the manufacturer causes these defects, the parties who use the materials usually don't know the flaw until the materials are incorporated into the project. As a result, material defects are exceptionally costly because they may necessitate additional labor and new materials.

 

Defects in Craftsmanship

When most people think of construction defects, they think of craftsmanship flaws. When a contractor fails to build a structure according to the construction documents, this results in a deficiency.

 

How to Reduce Construction Defects and Their Effects

Everyone involved in a construction project is responsible for reducing construction defects. Everyone can take preventative measures to reduce their chances of encountering one.

 

Construction defects can quickly derail a project, and with so many people involved, they're not always easy to spot or manage. To avoid deficiencies, Reddy Kancharla believes everyone involved in a project–from the design team to the construction team–must do their part. Quality control programs, communication, and documentation are simple but effective ways to reduce defective work, benefiting your bottom line and reputation.

Reddy Kancharla Shares Tips On What To Do After Detecting A Leak

 

A small leak in a commercial building can cause extensive water damage. The longer the leak goes unnoticed, the more significant damage. As Reddy Kancharla points out, commercial spaces use more water than residential properties, so it is best to act quickly after detecting a leak.

 

Roof Water Leaks

Roof leaks are common in buildings with flat roofing and a faulty drainage system is usually to blame. Property owners should seek commercial roof repairs if the drainage system fails to reroute the standing water.

 

Roofing membranes can split, blister, crack, or shrink as roofs age. Minor damage to the roofing membrane, if discovered in time, will require only a roof repair rather than a highly costly roof replacement.

 

Gas lines, HVAC units, vents, drains, and pipes all pass through rooftops, necessitating proper securing to avoid leaks inside the commercial property. Reddy Kancharla recommends regularly monitoring each roof penetration to ensure a watertight seal. Rain collars, flashing, pipe boots, and field wraps are effective leak-prevention measures.

 

Plumbing Errors

Reddy Kancharla also believes that property managers should look for the first signs of plumbing pipe leaks. Underground plumbing bursts result in spongy, unstable flooring and constantly wet soil. You can identify pipe leaks behind walls by crumbling plaster, bulging walls, visible water stains, and loose tiles.

 

Additionally, Reddy Kancharla believes it is best to suspect water leaks in the presence of lingering, musty odors, visible mold growth, and noticeable increases in the water bill. Fortunately, water leak sensors can detect hidden water leaks like these. Once you identify the leak, Reddy Kancharla suggests removing the flooring to access the pipes for repair or digging up the soil to reach the underground pipes.

 

Leaks in Commercial Basements

Cracked foundations can cause water leaks in commercial basements. However, these are likely to go undetected until the minor leak erupts into a massive, unexpected water issue in the form of floods and structural damage. As a result, once the basement has sprung a leak, it cannot be fixed with band-aid solutions such as crack plugging. So, Reddy Kancharla recommends contacting a professional waterproofing contractor to determine the exact source of the leak and resolve the problem.

Reddy Kancharla Explains How to Identify and Avoid Construction Deficiencies

Construction defects are common, but the majority of them are minor and insignificant. On the other hand, Reddy Kancharla notes that the most dangerous flaws could endanger people or property. Whether a defect is major or minor, the problem remains: defects are typically not discoverable until long after you complete the work, and defending against defect claims is a complicated (and expensive) task.

What Are Common Types of Construction Defects?

Defects in the Design

These flaws result from a design professional's failure to create accurate and well-organized construction documents. Design flaws occur as a result of an error or omission. Errors usually necessitate a redesign and replacement of a part, whereas omissions can be corrected by expanding a contractor's scope of work via change orders.

Defects in the Material

"Material defects" occur due to faulty or insufficient building materials. When the manufacturer causes these defects, the parties who use the materials usually don't know the flaw until the materials are incorporated into the project. As a result, material defects are exceptionally costly because they may necessitate additional labor and new materials.

 

Defects in Craftsmanship

When most people think of construction defects, they think of craftsmanship flaws. When a contractor fails to build a structure according to the construction documents, this results in a deficiency.

 

How to Reduce Construction Defects and Their Effects

Everyone involved in a construction project is responsible for reducing construction defects. Everyone can take preventative measures to reduce their chances of encountering one.

 

Construction defects can quickly derail a project, and with so many people involved, they're not always easy to spot or manage. To avoid deficiencies, Reddy Kancharla believes everyone involved in a project–from the design team to the construction team–must do their part. Quality control programs, communication, and documentation are simple but effective ways to reduce defective work, benefiting your bottom line and reputation.