This Is Why Buildings Need Constant Inspecting

Co-op and condo boards, as well as their property managers, engineers and architects, have a new reason to rejoice. Superstructures Engineers + Architects, a New York City firm, has a developed a new tool that helps track weather patterns that can put stress on building facades – and lead to costly repairs. 

Called the Frost Jacking Day Tracker, the system is based on analysis of data compiled by National Weather Service and the weather station in Central Park. It records days when the minimum temperature is 30 degrees F or lower preceded by days where the maximum temperature is 33 degrees F or higher, with rain and/or snow one or two days before. These are what climatologists refer to as “freeze/thaw days.” Such days lead to “frost jacking,” when freezing temperatures cause rain or snow to turn to ice and expand cracks in a facade. As cycles of freezing and thawing accumulate, the cracks continue to grow and exterior hazardous conditions or interior water damage or leaks can occur. 

Barry Drogin, director of non-destructive testing and evaluation at Superstructures, helped compile the data that was fed into the Frost Jacking Day Tracker. “Why do you have to keep inspecting your building?” Drogin asks. “Because the frost jacking process occurs at every building, new or old, regardless of the materials, and you can’t prevent it, even in micro-cracks.” The data, updated monthly, is available here. 

“The cumulative number of frost jacking days isn’t a precise indicator of facade behavior,” a Superstructures press release states. “But it may help you understand why your building may be experiencing new problems and why it needs to be periodically inspected.” 

The weather forecast suggests that there will be at least one frost jacking day over the coming weekend.