Facade Inspections in PhiladelphiaStrucTech Structural Engineers

Masonry fails quietly for years and then drops on a sidewalk. Displaced lintels, open mortar joints, spalled brick, a bowing parapet, a cornice pulling away from the wall. Owners usually call after a complaint, a violation notice, or a piece of the building landing somewhere it should not have. Managers of older buildings call us before that happens, which is the better version of this conversation.

An inspection starts with a close visual survey of every elevation, using lifts, ladders, or drop access where the wall cannot be reached from grade or a window. We look at the cladding and the things behind it: flashing, relieving angles, shelf angles, anchors, sealant joints, and any water path that explains what we are seeing. Distress patterns matter more than individual cracks, because they tell you whether the wall is moving or just weathered.

You get a written report with elevation-by-elevation findings, dated photographs keyed to locations, an assessment of which conditions are hazardous and which are maintenance, and a prioritized repair scope. The scope is written with enough specificity that contractors bid the same work, which is usually where owners save the most money. Where the condition warrants it, we specify interim protection such as netting or a sidewalk canopy until the repair is complete.

We stay on through closeout. That means answering contractor questions during the repair, observing the work where it matters, and returning for a re-inspection once it is finished so the file can be closed with L&I. Note that the applicable inspection requirements depend on the building and the specific violation, so we confirm what your property is subject to before scoping anything.

Seeing loose brick, a stained wall, or a notice from the city? Call (267) 310-1172 or send photos through the contact form and we will tell you whether it needs a full survey.