1. Building envelope issues (40%)
2. Framing and structural issues (31%)
3. Plumbing issues (9%).

In another study by Big Builder Magazine, four of the “Top Ten” most frequent construction defects in production housing were related to the building envelope. In other words, 40% of all of the construction deficiencies that were identified by Quality Built in 2006 and Big Builder Magazine related to trades involving the building envelope (lath & plaster, roofing, and windows).

Clearly, the risks associated with a structure’s building envelope are considerable. Unfortunately, the cost of resolving these failures is equally high. According to various studies, the average cost to resolve deficiencies in a structure’s building envelope exceeds $25,000. The reason for this excessive cost is that the damage from a building envelope failure often leads to mold testing and remediation in addition to the actual structural repairs.

Moisture intrusion, even in small amounts, can cause extensive damage to any building and its contents. Prolonged exposure to water can cause structural wood components to weaken and decay. Mold growth can also begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours after moisture has penetrated your building envelope.

Ensuring that your building is correctly waterproofed is essential to maintaining structurally sound and mold-free building environments. After all, it is always less expensive to prevent a problem from happening than it is to address it once it has occurred.