5 Major Concerns With Older Commercial Buildings

Getting a building is a reason for celebration, but it can also lead to tragedy if it is old. There’s a reason why buildings are usually marked for demolition since not all of them are worth saving. With that said, if you were able to purchase an ancient structure for commercial purposes, a few issues are worth noting. These will have an impact on how well the investment will pay off and how safe it is to use.

You have to remember that older commercial buildings can be unsafe to the extreme depending on their condition. There can be structural integrity issues, water leakage, cracks among the supports, faulty wiring, and more. If you still wish to go ahead and purchase or rent it for any reason, you need to check it keenly. This must be done as thoroughly as possible, from top to bottom, and with a fine-toothed comb if possible.

Structural Support

One of the most important points that you need to worry about when dealing with older buildings is structural support. You need to make sure that the beams, posts, frames, and base of the building have no fatal cracks. If even one post has spider-web cracks on it, you need to have an expert check it right away. You will want to know if it can still be repaired or if you need to have the building condemned.

If this isn’t done, it might lead to issues with regard to the safety of anyone who enters the building. There is also the question of renovations that you might be doing with the building’s exterior and interior. You need to know if it can handle any extensive modifications and additions that you want for it. If not, then you’ll need to make new plans that will accommodate its current state and make the most of it.

Electrical Wiring

Although the technology behind electrical wirings has not changed too much over the decades, there have still been changes. On top of that, there is the small issue of old wirings being unreliable and even dangerous, to say the least. With that being the case, it would be to your benefit to have them checked out as soon as possible. This is to ensure that they are still in working condition and won’t cause malfunctions or even a fire.

With that said, it can be understandable if the wirings are not all replaced with new ones due to the costs. It would be quite expensive to rewire an entire building, not to mention the time it would take. This is why it is recommended that you focus on affected areas or wires that can still be salvaged. This concern applies to fuses, sockets, lighting fixtures, and many more that are in the building, as well.

Pests and Molds

Another point worth taking into account is the possibility of pests and molds infesting the building in every corner. These can include rats, raccoons, possums, bats, and so on, though insects like termites can also be a big problem. Then there are the many varieties of molds that could grow in structures that have been around a long time. Many of them are harmful to the extreme and can even cause respiratory issues that can cause death.

This is where an expert needs to be employed if you want to turn the commercial building into a functioning structure. It cannot accommodate goods and customers if there is a risk of contamination of contracting infections of any kind. The local laws will not allow this, for a start, and it would be disastrous for your brand. Once the public knows that there is an infestation in your building, you will be losing a lot of customers.

Plumbing and Water Supply

The building’s plumbing is yet another issue that needs to be addressed as soon as you get the opportunity. Horror stories about sludge, slimes, toxic metals, and even waste materials coming out of faucets are worth listening to. You do not want to end up in the position of scrambling for repairs or replacements in the future. So while you still have the opportunity, make sure that your pipes, valves, faucets, and so on are working fine.

In case you do need to replace things, you will want to look for suitable suppliers instead of hardware stores. Commercial properties have much bigger requirements that you might want to look into. Know the different types of industrial valves, pipes, grates, filters, and so on would be recommended. If you can consult a professional on these matters, then that would be even better for you.

New Coat of Paint

The last point that needs to be considered is the condition of the walls, ceiling, exterior facade, and so on. You need to see if there is a need for a new coat of paint or not and what kind. Make sure to have your ideas of what your interiors and exteriors are going to look like at the ready. This will save you time later when deciding what to do with faded wallpaper, chipped paint, or littered walls.

It’s also worth considering other avenues like adding new layers to the walls surrounding your commercial building. Fiberglass, bricks, plaster, stone, and many other materials are accessible to you. You can choose from any of them so that you can

Conclusion

Owning a commercial building, even an old one, is worth celebrating. With that celebration, however, comes caution since old buildings tend to come with problems. The issues brought up here are intended to ensure your safety and that of others. By taking them into serious consideration, you are taking the first step toward a fruitful acquisition.