Façade Remediation Guide

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Facade Remediation Guide

Façade remediation can involve a number of different assessments, investigations, design stages and remedial works. Understanding what is required — and when — can help building owners, managing agents and other responsible parties plan the right approach.

This guide explains the typical façade remediation journey, from identifying concerns with an external wall through assessment and investigation to remediation and completion.

What Is Façade Remediation?

Façade remediation is the process of addressing defects, safety concerns, deterioration or performance issues affecting a building’s external wall systems.

The work required will depend on the construction and condition of the building. In some cases, remediation may involve targeted repairs. In others, extensive investigation, design and replacement of façade systems may be required.

The process can involve several different specialists and stages, including façade surveys, fire-safety assessments, intrusive investigations, structural assessment, façade design, remediation works and completion inspections.

The Façade Remediation Journey

There is no single remediation process that applies to every building. However, projects commonly progress through a number of stages.

1. Identify the Need for Remediation

Concerns may be identified through:

  • A façade condition survey
  • An EWS1 assessment
  • A PAS 9980 FRAEW assessment
  • Fire-safety investigations
  • Water ingress or weathertightness problems
  • Visible façade defects
  • Deterioration of cladding, render, masonry or other materials
  • Concerns about combustible materials
  • Structural concerns
  • Previous inspection or survey findings

The initial findings help establish whether further assessment or investigation is required.

2. Assess the Existing Façade

The next stage is to understand the building’s external wall construction, condition and potential risks.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

  • Façade condition surveys
  • Cladding condition surveys
  • EWS1 assessments
  • PAS 9980 FRAEW assessments
  • Fire-safety assessments
  • Curtain walling surveys
  • Balcony inspections
  • Structural assessments
  • Building envelope investigations

The appropriate assessment depends on the building and the issues already identified.

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3. Carry Out Further Investigation

Existing drawings and records do not always provide enough information about the actual construction of a façade.

Where further evidence is required, intrusive or opening-up investigations can be used to establish the construction of the external wall.

This may identify:

  • Cladding materials
  • Insulation
  • Sheathing
  • Cavity barriers
  • Membranes
  • Fixings
  • Substrates
  • Wall build-ups
  • Interfaces between different façade systems

Specialist testing may also be required depending on the findings.

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4. Develop a Remediation Strategy

Once the façade has been assessed and the necessary evidence gathered, a remediation strategy can be developed.

This considers the identified defects and risks alongside the construction, performance requirements and practical constraints of the building.

A remediation strategy may consider:

  • Repair versus replacement
  • Removal of existing materials
  • Replacement façade systems
  • Fire performance
  • Structural requirements
  • Thermal performance
  • Moisture and weatherproofing
  • Interfaces with windows and balconies
  • Access requirements
  • Construction sequencing
  • Regulatory requirements

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5. Select the Appropriate Remediation System

The appropriate remediation solution will depend on the building and the problems identified.

Potential façade systems include:

  • Rainscreen cladding
  • Render and external wall insulation
  • Masonry and brickwork
  • Curtain walling and glazing
  • Fire-rated façade systems
  • Balcony systems
  • Weatherproofing and sealants

The selected system should be considered as part of the overall remediation strategy rather than in isolation.

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6. Deliver and Manage the Works

Once the remediation strategy and design have been established, the project can progress to delivery.

Depending on the project, this may involve:

  • Principal Designer and Principal Contractor support
  • Façade Clerk of Works
  • Contractor coordination
  • Resident liaison
  • Building Safety Act requirements
  • Gateway 2 and Gateway 3 support
  • Funding application support
  • Quality inspections
  • Golden Thread information management

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7. Complete and Document the Remediation

The final stage is to establish that the remediation works have been completed in accordance with the relevant design and project requirements.

This may include:

  • Snagging inspections
  • Practical completion
  • Sign-off surveys
  • As-built information
  • O&M documentation
  • Completion records
  • Post-remediation assessment
  • EWS1 re-certification where applicable

Good completion documentation provides a record of the works carried out and the façade system installed.

Façade Remediation Guides

Explore our detailed guides covering the main stages and considerations involved in façade remediation

What Triggers Façade Remediation?

Understand the common issues that can lead to façade remediation, including fire-safety concerns, façade defects, combustible materials, water ingress and deterioration.

The Façade Remediation Process

A detailed look at the typical stages of a façade remediation project, from initial assessment through investigation, design, remediation and completion.

How Much Does Façade Remediation Cost?

Understand the factors that can influence the cost of façade remediation, including building size, façade construction, investigation requirements, access, design and the extent of remedial works.

How Long Does Façade Remediation Take?

Find out what can influence a remediation programme and why timescales vary between buildings and projects.

Funding & the Cladding Safety Scheme

Understand the role of remediation funding schemes and the considerations involved when progressing funding applications.

Building Safety Act Guide

An overview of the Building Safety Act and its relevance to building owners, responsible parties and façade remediation projects.

Related Façade Remediation Services

If you have identified a potential façade issue, the next step will depend on the circumstances of the building.

Explore our services:

Assessments & Surveys
Investigate the condition, construction and performance of the existing façade.

Wall Systems
Explore façade systems and potential remediation solutions.

Remediation & Compliance
Find out how remediation projects can be designed, managed and brought through to completion.

Need Advice About a Façade Remediation Project?

Whether you are at the initial assessment stage or already have identified façade remediation requirements, we can help you identify the appropriate next step.