A facade may appear intact while concealing a defect behind its cladding. In Quebec, Bill 122 governs the inspection of certain buildings. A facade inspection must not only check for visible cracks but also examine hidden components. Among these, facade anchors and masonry anchors play a direct role in the stability of the cladding.
Key Points – What to Remember :
- Anchors are metal fasteners hidden behind the cladding.
- They connect the cladding to the wall and prevent it from pushing away or falling outward.
- A defect in the anchoring system may not be visible from the ground.
- Inspecting facade anchors requires close examination and exploratory openings.
- Risks associated with facade anchors increase when bulging occurs and require prompt assessment.
Would you like to know if the fasteners on your facade need to be inspected ?
What is the purpose of facade anchors ?
Anchors secure the cladding to the structural wall and prevent it from detaching from the structure due to wind and building movement. These fasteners are distributed throughout the facade so that the wall is not supported solely by the brick.
What is the difference between an anchor and a support ?
The anchor secures the cladding to the building, while the support carries its weight. Depending on the design, this support may be the foundation, a steel angle bracket, or another structural element located beneath the masonry.
What this means in practice :
- The support prevents the cladding from sagging.
- The anchor prevents the cladding from moving away from the building.
- Together, they keep the facade stable.
Why can a brick wall anchor be so important ?
When used as a facing, a brick wall relies on a network of anchors to remain stable. If a few anchors are missing or defective, the neighboring anchors can compensate for the shortfall. But if the problem affects a larger area, the masonry may shift, bulge, or detach from the building.
Moisture, corrosion, temperature fluctuations, and freeze-thaw cycles can accelerate this deterioration.
The most common problems include :
- An insufficient number of fasteners.
- Irregular spacing or spacing that does not conform to the plans.
- A fastener that does not attach directly to the support.
- Corrosion caused or accelerated by moisture.
- A break caused during previous work or repairs.
« During exploratory openings, the most important thing is to inspect the anchoring systems to confirm that the cladding is securely fastened and that no components are at risk of falling. »
Why do problems with facade anchors often go unnoticed ?
The anchors are hidden behind the facing. A visual inspection from the ground may reveal a crack, but it does not show the number of anchors, their location, or any signs of corrosion. Even a recently constructed building may have a hidden defect.
| Point to consider | What we are looking for | Verification method |
| Facing surface area | Cracks, open joints, displacement | Visual observation |
| Local stability | Loose brick, hollow sound, movement | Close inspection and sampling |
| Hidden anchors | Missing, improper positioning, corrosion | Exploratory opening |
« Problems are often hidden. Once the facade is closed, they can easily go unnoticed. »
Concerned about the stability of your exterior cladding ?
What signs indicate a problem with the facade’s anchoring ?
A faulty anchoring system does not always produce visible signs.
Signs to have evaluated include :
- A bulging brick wall or “bull’s belly”.
- Cracks in the facade or shifting around doors and windows.
- A loose brick or an unstable stone.
- Rust stains, efflorescence, or water seepage.
- Deformation that reappears after a repair.
Even a facade without cracks may still conceal missing, misaligned, or corroded anchors.
« Bulging is a late-stage sign. Don’t wait until a piece of the facade comes loose before taking action. »
How is a facade anchorage inspection conducted ?
The engineer first reviews the plans, previous reports, and repair history to understand the facade’s design. The engineer then inspects the facade from the ground and examines the higher areas from balconies, while suspended by a rope, or from a lifting platform.
To inspect masonry anchors, exploratory openings must be made at selected locations. Section 378 of Québec’s Safety Code states that every façade must be examined and that the engineer or architect is responsible for selecting the verification method and ordering any tests, examinations or trials considered necessary.
This process makes it possible, in particular, to verify :
- The type, number, and distribution of fasteners.
- The connection between the cladding and the substrate.
- The presence of corrosion or deformation.
- The condition of the cavity and any signs of water infiltration.
- The consistency between the plans and what was actually built.
What happens when a problem is discovered ?
The report identifies the defect, describes its severity, and recommends a timeline for action. A hazardous condition requires immediate action. A less urgent problem can be repaired or monitored according to the recommended schedule.
The inspection is neither a plan nor an estimate. However, it allows us to prioritize the work and avoid a repair that is limited to the surface while the underlying cause remains hidden behind the wall.
« After the inspection, we make recommendations and set repair deadlines based on the issues observed. »
Why is it important to inspect the anchors before the facade begins to deform ?
A bulging facade has already lost some of its stability. Early detection allows the problem to be corrected before the movement spreads, creates a hazardous condition, or requires more extensive reconstruction.
It is therefore not enough to simply assess whether the facade appears to be in good condition. You must examine the hidden components to verify what is actually holding the cladding in place, determine the cause, and plan the necessary work before major deformations occur.
Have the anchors and hidden components of your facade evaluated.
Genispec
Consulting engineering firm based in Québec
Genispec is a consulting engineering firm made up of building engineers who are members of the OIQ. We offer specialized services in façade and underground parking inspections in accordance with Law 122, as well as reserve fund studies and maintenance logs as required by Law 16. We also conduct inspections of commercial, multi-residential, industrial buildings, and condominiums. In addition, we provide building condition certificates and pre-delivery inspections.
All our reports are validated by a qualified engineer. Every article published on our website is reviewed and approved by a qualified member of our team to ensure the technical accuracy of the information.