Foundation Waterproofing Engineers

Commercial Foundation Waterproofing In Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont

When you notice mold, cracks or watermarks on your building’s foundation walls, that’s a clear sign that moisture may be harming your foundation. Negative side waterproofing may not have helped. The most important step you can take now is determining the potential scope and causes of any damage. Addressing the symptoms is not enough to prevent additional issues.

A situation like this calls for expertise from a foundation structural engineer. Structural engineers receive extensive training to examine the internal and external elements of a building for support. These professionals specialize in building safety, understanding the welfare of residents and workers is the priority.

At Vital Structures LLC in Boston, we’re experts in answering the questions that moisture poses because we’ve served clients throughout New England for years. We’re passionate about what we do, and we don’t believe in a stopgap approach. We attack every job head-on, beginning with a comprehensive foundation waterproofing evaluation.

What Is a Structural Engineer Foundation Investigation?

A structural engineer foundation inspection is a thorough evaluation of your building’s support system. Engineers assess each component of the foundation’s structure inside and out, apply proven testing methods to identify issues and design a complete plan to remedy the situation.

The Investigation Process

During the inspection process, your engineer will examine internal support systems within the foundation. They’ll look for evidence of excess shifting, like ill-fitting windows or vents. If internal cracks are present, they’ll assess potential dangers that could arise. Externally, your engineer will check for evidence of structural decay, such as the physical crumbling of concrete, and analyze areas where buckling or bulging appear.

The Testing Process

Depending on the results of the visual inspection, an engineer has several testing tools at their disposal to diagnose the causes of structural moisture issues more accurately. 

Material testing helps engineers identify how much pressure any individual construction material can withstand. Destructive testing — like that performed by Vital Structures ® — is more complex and yields actionable data. In destructive testing, your engineer observes the conditions under which the material fails to get a complete understanding of the problem. Field testing allows your engineer to test materials in real-time, outside of a controlled lab setting, to better understand how those components perform in your environment.

The Resolution Process

Once your Vital Structures® engineer gathers the data resulting from testing, they’ll use various analysis tools to develop a complete picture that identifies the source of the issue, not just the symptoms. Armed with that information, your engineer designs a comprehensive solution to fix it. You can then locate qualified contractors in Boston or throughout New England who are licensed and registered to carry out the work. Vital Structures® will work with your contractor and oversee the project to ensure each step of the plan is executed correctly.

Contact Vital Structures® for a Comprehensive Foundation Evaluation 

Vital Structures LLC provides thorough foundation waterproofing inspections for commercial & industrial buildings. We proudly serve Boston and the greater New England area. Our knowledgeable, experienced structural engineers will diagnose the root causes of issues, develop a plan to solve them and administer the resolution process for your security. Contact a professional team member to get started today.

 

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    Project Type

     

    New Hampshire Condominium Complex

    New Hampshire Condominium Complex

    Exterior Balcony & Limited Wall Repairs

    Exterior Balcony & Limited Wall Repairs

    New Exterior Deck Design & Miscellaneous Structural Augmentation

    New Exterior Deck Design & Miscellaneous Structural Augmentation

    Rising Masonry Wall Repairs

    Rising Masonry Wall Repairs

    Basement Masonry Support Pier Replacement- Boston Condominiums

    Basement Masonry Support Pier Replacement- Boston Condominiums

    Fire Department Connection Building Penetration

    Fire Department Connection Building Penetration

    Gas Station Roof Structure Replacement

    Gas Station Roof Structure Replacement

    Parking Garage and Loading Dock

    Parking Garage and Loading Dock

    Bearing Wall Removal & Structural Augmentation

    Bearing Wall Removal & Structural Augmentation

    Structural Assessment for Roof Top Unit Replacement-  New Bedford, Massachusetts

    Structural Assessment for Roof Top Unit Replacement- New Bedford, Massachusetts

    General Building Structural Condition Assessment

    General Building Structural Condition Assessment

    Tower Main Entrance Canopy Foundation Design- Boston, MA

    Tower Main Entrance Canopy Foundation Design- Boston, MA

    Concrete Electrical Make-Safe Evaluation, Boston, MA

    Concrete Electrical Make-Safe Evaluation, Boston, MA

    Concrete Utility Tunnel Forensic Evaluation, Cambridge, MA

    Concrete Utility Tunnel Forensic Evaluation, Cambridge, MA

    Leaking New Construction Garage- Forensic Evaluation, Boston, MA

    Leaking New Construction Garage- Forensic Evaluation, Boston, MA

    Emergency Forensic Evaluation and Design for Failed Beam, Manchester, NH

    Emergency Forensic Evaluation and Design for Failed Beam, Manchester, NH

    Precast Plank Support Grout Repair, Stoneham, MA

    Precast Plank Support Grout Repair, Stoneham, MA

    Parking Garage Repairs- Cambridge, MA

    Parking Garage Repairs- Cambridge, MA

    Boston City Facade Ordinance Evaluation

    Boston City Facade Ordinance Evaluation

    University Building, Cambridge, MA – Water Infiltration Evaluation and Subsequent Steps

    University Building, Cambridge, MA – Water Infiltration Evaluation and Subsequent Steps

    Grease Trap Replacement & Pool Backwash Drainage Modifications

    Grease Trap Replacement & Pool Backwash Drainage Modifications

    University, Steam Tunnel Sump Pit Repairs- Cambridge, MA

    University, Steam Tunnel Sump Pit Repairs- Cambridge, MA

    Exterior CMU Wall Replacement

    Exterior CMU Wall Replacement

    New Building Forensic Masonry Evaluation, Amherst, MA

    New Building Forensic Masonry Evaluation, Amherst, MA

    Campus, Cambridge, MA- Replacement of Electrical Manhole Roof Slab

    Campus, Cambridge, MA- Replacement of Electrical Manhole Roof Slab

    Evaluation of Central Fire Station, Apparatus Bay Floor Concrete Repair and Remedial Waterproofing

    Evaluation of Central Fire Station, Apparatus Bay Floor Concrete Repair and Remedial Waterproofing

    Wood-Framed Balcony Repairs & Egress Certification

    Wood-Framed Balcony Repairs & Egress Certification

    Condominiums, Provincetown, MA – Wood-Framed Balcony Replacement and Structural Repairs

    Condominiums, Provincetown, MA – Wood-Framed Balcony Replacement and Structural Repairs

    Campus Cooling Tower Basin Slab – Concrete Repairs and Waterproofing System Replacement

    Campus Cooling Tower Basin Slab – Concrete Repairs and Waterproofing System Replacement

    Middle School – Steep Slope Roof Replacement

    Middle School – Steep Slope Roof Replacement

    Office Building – Complete Window System Replacement

    Office Building – Complete Window System Replacement

    Garage Plaza Deck and Parking Garage Repairs

    Garage Plaza Deck and Parking Garage Repairs

    Roof Replacement Project, Balcony Waterproofing, Atrium Skylight and Exterior Wall Repairs

    Roof Replacement Project, Balcony Waterproofing, Atrium Skylight and Exterior Wall Repairs

    Campus Cooling Tower Concrete Repairs, Pre-Cast Façade Repairs and Basin Waterproofing System Replacement

    Campus Cooling Tower Concrete Repairs, Pre-Cast Façade Repairs and Basin Waterproofing System Replacement

    Garage and Balcony Concrete Repairs and Waterproofing

    Garage and Balcony Concrete Repairs and Waterproofing

    Industrial Office Building Foundation Stabilization

    Industrial Office Building Foundation Stabilization

    Low Slope Roof Replacement with Structural Roof Framing Modifications

    Low Slope Roof Replacement with Structural Roof Framing Modifications

    Building Facade & Door Leak Repairs With Deck Replacement

    Building Facade & Door Leak Repairs With Deck Replacement

    Roof Replacement With Balcony and Exterior Wall Repairs

    Roof Replacement With Balcony and Exterior Wall Repairs

    Low Slope Roof Replacements

    Low Slope Roof Replacements

    Condominium Evaluation & Repair

    Condominium Evaluation & Repair

    Balcony Terrace Waterproofing Replacement

    Balcony Terrace Waterproofing Replacement

    Glass Factory Penthouse Beams

    Glass Factory Penthouse Beams

    Concrete Sea Wall Evaluation for Repairs

    Concrete Sea Wall Evaluation for Repairs

    Davit Crane Base Modifications

    Davit Crane Base Modifications

    Chimney Enclosure Repairs

    Chimney Enclosure Repairs

    Biomedical Building Roof Replacement

    Biomedical Building Roof Replacement

    Office Park Building Roof Replacement

    Office Park Building Roof Replacement

    Research Lab Building Roof Replacement and Related Work

    Research Lab Building Roof Replacement and Related Work

    Mechanical Roof Replacement

    Mechanical Roof Replacement

    Bio-Science Bldg. Reroof & Waterproofing

    Bio-Science Bldg. Reroof & Waterproofing

    University Cooling Tower

    University Cooling Tower

    Wood-framed Building Envelope Failure

    Wood-framed Building Envelope Failure

    Parking Garage

    Parking Garage

    Plaza Deck

    Plaza Deck

    Boston Utility Tunnel

    Boston Utility Tunnel

    Office Building Atrium

    Office Building Atrium

    Data Center Roof

    Data Center Roof

    Evaluate. Guide. Revitalize.

    Let's Do Something Vital Together!

    “An Objective Expert We Could Trust”

    We retained Vital Structures after finding our builder unwilling to help identify and rectify obvious bowing and waving to our accessory building.  The information provided by Vital was impressive as it was detailed and specific calling out nonconformance to building codes, industry standard construction practices and manufacturer specifications.  The reports were written in a way that was observational, with pictures and evidence.  Had we not hired an objective expert we would have been faced with serious structural problems unknown to layman.  The professionalism, expectation setting and follow-through on Vital Structures part was the due diligence we needed to protect ourselves in this endeavor.  It is well worth the time and expense to correct the issues in advance of accepting subpar construction.

    Jeanne Pagani

    Homeowner

    “Vital Structures Has My Highest Recommendation.”

    As the trustee for the Lois J. Lewis Trust, I contracted Vital Structures to oversee a project to evaluate and repair the foundation pilings of an 1880s lakefront cabin on Spofford Lake. The cabin’s piling foundations had deteriorated due to hillside erosion, age, and lack of maintenance. By the time Vital Structures took on our project, the foundation was close to failure.

    David Morand, who oversaw the project, was professional, meticulous, and flexible,- offering several well-considered solutions to our problem. He and his team were involved from start to finish, readily available for updates, and on site to address any issues that arose. David was also instrumental in connecting us with a contractor who could meet our unique needs, given the limited access and difficult site conditions.

    I can’t say enough good things about the way Vital Structures conducted the project and their professionalism throughout the process. They were a pleasure to work with.

    Kenneth Betts

    Trustee, The Lois J. Lewis Trust

    “Vital provided invaluable assistance and made our buildings healthy again!”

    Our Association hired Vital Structures to inspect our decks. David, Richard, and the rest of their team are very professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. As our relationship formed, Vital Structures became our Engineers of choice to develop a new design to replace all the decks in the Association.  Vital provided us with invaluable assistance in obtaining Contracting Bids, so we had verifiable Construction Company choices.  Once renovation began, Vital oversaw the project, holding Contractors accountable, ensuring construction was completed to our new design specifications and that the job was done correctly.  Everyone loves the new look and our buildings are becoming healthy again!

    Mike Labrecque

    Trustee, The Colonial Village

    “A huge value to our business!”

    We are a waterfront business operating in Provincetown for over fifty years. Vital Structures has been our valued “go-to” partner whenever we address issues relative to our building or property. Their comprehensive knowledge and ability to assess issues and provide solutions across the board is truly a unique expertise and of huge value to businesses like ours. They are service-oriented, extremely responsive, and know their business – and ours. Five-star excellence in all regards!

     

    Jill Botway

    Managing Director, The Boat Slip LLC

    “Highly Recommended! “

    Vital Structures llc has proven to be a top notch engineering firm. Beginning with a comprehensive and thorough review of the job scope, to the completion of a project with no details missed. All personnel involved with each project we have found to be excellent to work with and yet never willing to compromise details that would have any adverse effect on the project. Whenever unforeseen conditions arise, they are immediately back to the drawing board without any hesitation in order to keep the project moving. I would highly recommend Vital Structures llc for any structural or building envelope projects.

    Brett Emery

    Emery Construction LLC

    “An Eye for Detail”

    We have been working with David Morand of Vital Structures on a few different projects over the years.  We are completely impressed as he is professional, has an eye for detail, is very thorough, and always answers all our questions.  David & the Vital Structure’s team are very knowledgeable about the industry, very proactive with their approach, and always do a great job.  I would not hesitate to use David and his team on the future projects.

    Laurie Ferrari

    CEO, Peters Property Management