What we do for old buildings.
Five kinds of work, all about the masonry at the top of an old building. Each ends with a licensed Professional Engineer putting what was found, and what to do about it, in writing.
Cornices, parapets, and facade masonry
For old brick buildings in St. Louis and the towns around it.
Cornice condition assessment
You cannot tell from the paint. A cornice is held to the building by mortar, steel anchors, or wood blocking you cannot see from the street, so an engineer inspects how it is attached and what the water has done behind it.
Fallen masonry assessment
Keep people out from under it, leave what fell where it is if you safely can, and call. A piece on the ground means something above has let go, and an engineer needs to find out whether more is about to follow.
Parapet and chimney evaluation
A parapet stands above the roof with weather on both faces and the top, and nothing bracing it. Water gets in through the coping, freezes in the joints, and over decades the wall loosens and begins to lean.
Repair scope for bids
Because each contractor otherwise bids their own idea of the problem. A written scope from an engineer who is not selling the repair lets you compare like with like, and tells you what the work has to achieve.
Review before you buy or sell
Yes, because it is the part a general inspection sees least and it is expensive to put right. An engineer's review tells you what the cornice, parapets, and upper walls need, while you can still negotiate.
Not sure which one you need?
Send the address and a few details. A licensed engineer replies within one business day.