Your building is much more than a structure; it is a valuable investment and a safe place to live. Since the enactment of Bill 122 in Quebec in 2017, ensuring the solidity of your facade has never been more important. At Genispec, we have developed a four-step method that transforms inspection into a true guarantee of peace of mind. From meticulous document analysis to intrusive inspection, through visual and tactile verifications, our local expertise protects you from risks and enhances your heritage.
Discover how our proactive approach can make a difference for the safety and longevity of your building!
Step 1: Thorough review of documents – Analysis that prevents risks
At Genispec, we start each facade inspection by verifying all the key elements of your file. Our team, experts in building engineering consulting, ensures compliance with Quebec and Canadian standards to offer you a reliable diagnosis. We examine:
- Architectural and Structural Plans: To identify the initial design and anticipate possible weaknesses.
- Reports of Previous Inspections: To compare past findings and measure the evolution of your building.
- Maintenance Work History: To evaluate the quality of previous interventions and identify future risks.
By adopting this preventive step, we also help reduce the environmental footprint associated with major repairs while maximizing the safety of your occupants. With Genispec, you have the assurance of local expertise, rigorous follow-up, and tailored solutions to preserve the value of your building.
Step 2: Preliminary visual inspection – Immediate safety with our expertise
When you call on Genispec for a facade inspection, you benefit from the expertise of professionals trained in the latest building engineering methods. Our team examines your structure from the ground, balconies, and roof using secure access techniques, such as rope access (SPRAT/IRATA). We check:
- Coatings and Masonry: Cracks, detachments, or visible deterioration.
- Balconies and Guardrails: Solidity, corrosion, and compliance with safety standards.
- Windows and Openings: Insulation, tightness, and condition of the frames.
- Signs of Moisture: Stains, mold, or water infiltrations likely to cause structural damage.
In case of imminent danger, a preventive action plan is immediately proposed to preserve the safety of the occupants and reduce the risks of costly long-term repairs. This rigorous visual inspection constitutes an essential first step towards the sustainability of your building.
Step 3: Tactile inspection – Your key to a reliable and secure façade
As part of our building engineering consulting services, Genispec conducts an in-depth tactile inspection to assess the solidity and longevity of your facade. Thanks to our expertise in rope access (SPRAT/IRATA), we can analyze every nook and cranny of your walls and quickly spot:
- Cracks and Hairline Fissures: Direct contact with the surface informs us about the depth and severity of defects, thus preventing costly long-term repairs.
- Damaged Metallic Elements: By handling guardrails and balconies, we identify corrosion or wear, which are safety risk factors.
- Traces of Moisture: With specialized instruments and touch, we detect hidden infiltrations likely to compromise the building’s durability.
If our engineers detect a major problem, we immediately recommend a targeted intrusive inspection. This preventive approach helps you comply with Quebec and Canadian standards, avoid accidents, and protect the value of your building for many years.
Step 4: Intrusive inspection – Only in case of a major anomaly detected
In rare situations where the tactile inspection reveals a significant structural defect, Genispec conducts an intrusive inspection to confirm the extent of the problem and prevent any risk:
- Targeted Opening of the Facade: Our technicians trained in SPRAT/IRATA standards access the interior (masonry, anchors, insulations) while minimizing disruptions for occupants.
- Thorough Diagnosis: We assess the stability of your walls and the possible presence of corrosion or major water infiltrations, according to Quebec and Canadian requirements.
- Careful Closure: We seal each opening by restoring tightness, aesthetics, and durability of your building.
This step, covered by our liability insurance, is strictly reserved for critical cases, thus protecting you from unnecessary costs. With Genispec, you preserve the safety of your occupants and the value of your building.
Protect your real estate investment with the façade inspection methodology designed by our building engineering experts
Law 122 imposes strict standards to ensure the safety and durability of buildings, and at Genispec, we meet this challenge with a four-step approach that is both precise and preventive. This approach ensures an accurate diagnosis, reduces your costs, complies with Quebec and Canadian standards, and strengthens the real estate value of your building in the long term.
With Genispec, you benefit from a method that is both modern, safe, and cost-effective for all your facade inspection projects in Quebec. Choose peace of mind and recognized expertise to protect your investment.