Construction Remediation

It’s one of the most common questions that people ask, mainly when dealing with areas or structures exposed to contamination. But how does it work and what does it entail?

In relation to a building, remedial works involve the monitoring or providing of remedy to any damage to prevent further damage.

Land remediation is a crucial aspect of many construction projects. It’s an effective way to clean up contaminated lands, usually before the construction works begin. Doing so ensures that the groundwater will remain free of pollution or any contagion that can affect people’s health.

Site remediation is a key consideration with the redevelopment of sites, especially when converting industrial areas into residential zones. It’s the removal of polluted or contaminated sediment, soil, surface water or groundwater to reduce the impact on people or the environment.

Pollution and harmful chemicals can seep into the soil when exposed over a long period. When this happens, it’s paramount to ensure the safety, integrity and stability of the building at all costs. Remediation may involve activities done either off or onsite and often requires either disposal or treatment of contaminated materials. On the other hand, remedial works in any building are also an ideal solution to help solve any structural problems effectively.

Remedial building works describe the removal and effective rectification of a building’s structural issues, which is crucial in maintaining the building’s safety. It’s an effective long-term strategy that corrects various problems, including water ingress and dampness.

The processes and methods used in remediation vary from straightforward operations to complex treatments. These techniques are essential in improving the area’s condition.

Structural remediation techniques include but are not limited to soil washing, electrokinesis, containment of polluted areas and penetrable barrier systems, extraction, pump-and-treat, stabilisation/solidification, soil washing, precipitation, vitrification, air stripping, thermal desorption and biological remediation. Among all the techniques, pollution prevention or containment of fouled areas is the most common.

Meanwhile, remediation by chemical oxidation involves the injection of strong oxidants like hydrogen peroxide or ozone gas. Ambient air or oxygen gas can also be injected to promote the growth of aerobic bacteria which hasten the natural depletion of organic contaminants.

Remedial builders repair buildings and sites that are experiencing structural and other environmental problems. They help provide corrective actions that address the damages or contaminants and give long-term solutions to ensure everyone’s safety.

A remediation engineer is responsible for designing and formulating systems and machines that can help remove harmful chemicals from the environment. Their task includes getting the necessary permits for site construction. They also train employees to help implement and conduct remediation systems.