Preventing water issues is one of the biggest priorities when building. From new construction to historic renovation, 90% of issues are caused by water, especially with our environment and location in Jacksonville, Florida. Therefore, implementing best practices to prevent water intrusion plays a vital role in the success of a project.
Being on the cutting edge of the construction industry, in an ever-changing world of innovation, requires us to be able to adapt to these changes and learn how to use them. Last year, two of our employees, Derek Cece – VP of Commercial Construction, and Lawrence Prince – VP of Residential Construction, attended the Build Show LIVE Conference in Austin, Texas. Much of the conference focused on the construction industry’s best building practices and new techniques dealing with water tightness and indoor air quality for healthy homes and buildings. Some of the takeaways were the important role of building science, the order of protection priorities or W.A.V.T. (water, air, vapor, and thermal) and proper building envelopes.
So, what are some preventive measures we can take as a construction company to reduce water issues to buildings? Some methods that we use at Avant are kick-outs, reglets, pitched sills, proper lapping, back dams, and a 2:1 overhang ratio in various locations on a building. Why are these architectural design features important? All these features allow a building structure to stay dry. They can prevent water from pooling and seeping into walls, which can lead to material rot and mold. Mold decreases the longevity of a home, especially when dealing with older structures. This is not only important for the health of the building, either. At Avant, we care about who is living and walking in and out of our buildings every day. We want to provide them with comfort and safety.
Avant focuses on historic restoration and adaptive reuse for many of our projects. This is also a benefit of building science. It’s important to understand the health, safety, integrity, and longevity of buildings, which in turn helps us know what needs to be replaced and what can be kept preserving historic significance.
As a growing company, Avant has seen shifts in the components for buildings that have been manufactured. New advancements have led to stronger PEX piping, more efficient lighting, and sustainable flooring and finishes, just to name a few examples. More emerging technology provides us with tools that help us avoid conflict when on job sites. The use of BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology allows for detailed monitoring of mechanical performance and real-time adjustments. More artificial intelligence helps pave the way for new and up-and-coming ways job sites are monitored. Open Space AI and cameras are mounted onto hard hats for regular site walks. This allows for 3D walkthrough footage to be taken and then later discussed or utilized in the future for reference. These advancements in technology have allowed us to plan and execute projects more efficiently.
Avant is consistently learning and keeping ourselves educated so we can provide the best quality projects and services to our partners and clients.
To learn more about Build Show LIVE, visit https://buildshowlive.com/en/home.html
