More Detail: Environmental & Restoration Services

Environmental & Restoration Services for Existing Mid-Rise Office Buildings in North Texas

Environmental hazards, water intrusion, weather-related damage, and unexpected system failures are unavoidable in the lifespan of any mid-rise office building. In North Texas—where extreme weather, rapidly fluctuating temperatures, aging infrastructure, and historic freeze events all pose risks—mid-rise office buildings require proactive environmental management and swift, professional restoration when issues arise. Owners and managers must navigate complex health, safety, regulatory, and construction issues when performing restoration or environmental remediation.

This page details all categories of environmental and restoration services for existing mid-rise buildings, including system breakdowns, environmental hazard types, and North Texas–specific concerns.

1. WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION (THE MOST COMMON NEED IN NORTH TEXAS)

Water intrusion is the number one cause of emergency restoration work in the region. Frequent sources include:

• Burst pipes (especially during winter freeze events)
• Roof leaks from hail damage
• HVAC condensate line failures
• Sprinkler system activations
• Faulty water heaters
• Exterior façade or window leaks during heavy rain

A. Immediate Response Requirements

Key steps:

1. Stop the source of water
2. Extract standing water
3. Remove wet materials (carpet, drywall, insulation)
4. Set up drying equipment (air movers, dehumidifiers)
5. Test humidity and moisture levels daily
6. Document damage for insurance

Drying must begin within 24–48 hours to prevent mold growth.

B. Structural Drying & Moisture Mapping

Professionals use:

• Infrared cameras
• Moisture meters
• Hygrometers
• Dehumidification systems

These tools identify hidden moisture in walls, floors, and ceiling cavities—critical in multi-tenant floors with fire-rated assemblies.

C. Roof Leak Restoration

North Texas hailstorms cause significant roof damage annually.

Restoration includes:

• Emergency tarping or sealing
• Removal of wet insulation
• Replace damaged TPO/PVC/membrane sections
• Dry interior materials
• Test and repair ceiling grid and lighting

Property managers must often coordinate restoration with insurance and roofing replacement contractors.

2. MOLD REMEDIATION

Mold growth occurs within 48–72 hours when water damage is untreated.

A. Mold Assessment

Texas requires a licensed Mold Assessment Consultant (MAC) for mold inspections exceeding certain thresholds.

The MAC determines:

• Affected areas
• Mold type
• Moisture source
• Remediation protocol

B. Mold Remediation Process

Performed by licensed Mold Remediation Contractors (MRCs).

Steps include:

1. Establish containment (negative air pressure)
2. Remove contaminated materials
3. HEPA vacuum all surfaces
4. Clean and disinfect
5. Perform clearance testing
6. Restore with new building materials

Tenant suites, restrooms, and mechanical rooms are common mold hotspots.

3. FIRE & SMOKE DAMAGE RESTORATION

Office buildings may experience fires due to:

• Electrical faults
• Overloaded circuits
• Kitchen fires
• HVAC issues
• Sprinkler system failures after fire activation

A. Fire Damage Scope

Damage may include:

• Burned structural elements
• Smoke damage throughout floors
• Soot in HVAC systems
• Wet materials from sprinkler activation

B. Cleanup and Mitigation

Includes:

• Removing charred debris
• Cleaning smoke residue
• Ozone treatment or hydroxyl generators for odor removal
• HVAC duct cleaning
• Testing and replacing electrical components

C. Structural Restoration

After fire mitigation, reconstruction may require:

• Re-framing partitions
• Installing new drywall
• Replacing ceilings
• Mechanical/electrical rewiring
• Reconfiguring spaces

Fire-rated assemblies must be rebuilt to current code standards.

4. ASBESTOS ABATEMENT

Many mid-rise office buildings built before 1990 contain asbestos-containing materials (ACM).

A. Common ACM Materials in North Texas Offices

• Floor tiles and mastic
• Pipe insulation
• Fireproofing on structural steel
• Ceiling tiles
• Drywall joint compound (less common but possible)
• HVAC duct insulation

B. Testing Requirements

Before demolition or renovation, an asbestos survey is required by Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

A licensed inspector collects samples and creates a report identifying:

• ACM types
• Locations
• Quantities
• Friability

C. Abatement Procedures

Abatement involves:

1. Setting up regulated containment
2. Air filtration devices (HEPA)
3. Removing ACM under negative pressure
4. Bagging materials per EPA standards
5. Final visual inspection
6. Clearance air testing

Only licensed abatement contractors may perform this work.

5. LEAD-BASED PAINT (LBP) REMEDIATION

Older commercial buildings may contain lead-based paint on metals, doors, or exterior surfaces.

Methods include:

• Encapsulation
• Chemical stripping
• Mechanical removal with containment
• Repainting

Lead-safe practices must be followed to avoid contamination.

6. AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT & INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (IEQ)

Tenants increasingly demand better indoor air quality.

A. Testing & Monitoring

IEQ assessments may test for:

• Mold spores
• VOCs
• Carbon dioxide levels
• Particle counts
• Humidity levels
• Airflow distribution

B. Remediation & Improvement Methods

• Increasing outside air intake
• Cleaning or balancing HVAC systems
• Installing higher MERV filters
• Sealing duct leaks
• Improving humidity control
• Installing air scrubbers or ionization systems

This is especially common in buildings with aging HVAC infrastructure.

7. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL REMOVAL

Beyond asbestos and lead, buildings may contain:

• PCB-containing light ballasts
• Mercury vapor lamps
• Old refrigerants requiring special disposal
• Contaminated soils (rare but possible on former industrial sites)

Specialized contractors must handle these materials.

8. POST-STORM & WIND DAMAGE RESTORATION

North Texas experiences severe storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds.

Damage types include:

• Roof membrane tears
• Broken glazing
• Damaged spandrel panels
• EIFS or stucco failures
• Detached metal coping
• Water infiltration after wind-driven rain

Restoration may involve temporary waterproofing before permanent repairs.

9. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR SITE CONDITIONS

Environmental issues extend beyond the building itself.

A. Stormwater Pollution Prevention

DFW municipalities enforce strict stormwater regulations during construction.

Requirements:

• Silt fencing
• Inlet protection
• Stabilized staging areas
• Stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP)

B. Soil Remediation

Contaminated soil may need:

• Excavation and disposal
• Soil stabilization
• Vapor barrier installation

Rare for typical mid-rise offices but essential for former industrial properties.

10. WORKING IN OCCUPIED MID-RISE BUILDINGS

Environmental and restoration projects often occur while buildings remain operational.

Critical steps include:

• Protecting tenant areas
• Noise and odor management
• Phased demolition
• After-hours water or power shutoffs
• Safe routing around work zones

Communication with property managers and tenants is essential.

11. INSURANCE COORDINATION & DOCUMENTATION

Many restoration projects involve insurance claims.

Documentation includes:

• Moisture logs
• Photographs
• Equipment logs
• Material disposal records
• Professional reports (MAC, hygienist, engineers)

12. RETURN-TO-SERVICE PROCEDURES

Once remediation or restoration is complete:

• Perform air quality testing
• Verify moisture levels
• Restore finishes
• Rebalance HVAC systems
• Provide clearance documentation

Buildings must be fully safe before reoccupation.