Facade upgrade: regulations and standards in Quebec

The facelift is a set of works to which building owners are required and this operation is proportionally binding on the height of the building. In Quebec, any construction of at least 5 storeys (COMMERCIAL SECTOR including multi-housing and condominium towers of 5 storeys or more with 13 or more units) must be controlled and maintained periodically, so that safety but also aesthetics are always optimal.

What is the regulation of façade maintenance in Quebec?

The building register, an important document In accordance with the Safety Code, the first obligation of a condominium owner or condominium is the maintenance of a register. This document should contain, in addition to the coordinates,

• The plans for the construction of the facades,
• Renovations and renovations
  • General maintenance
  • Changing the structure,
  • Repairs to masonry joints
  • Renovation of caulking joints
• As well as audit reports carried out by the building professional.

Swallowing a façade, the responsibility of the owners

The owners therefore inherit a number of responsibilities, including the facelift. Inspection and maintenance must be carried out regularly, not only to keep the building clean, but also to keep it in good condition, avoiding dangers to oneself and others. In particular, a façade element is prevented from detaching and falling, which could injure a third party. If the area around the building is classified as “dangerous,” then safety nets, safety barriers, gates or fall nets will be installed to secure the perimeter. In fact, since March 18, 2013, Quebec’s regulations to improve building safety have been strengthened (in Chapter VIII – Building of the Safety Code). What to know

• If as of March 18, 2013 the building had:
• Over 45 years, a report was to be produced by March 18, 2015
• Over 25, but under 45, a report must be produced by March 18, 2016
• Over 15, but under 25, a report must be produced by March 18, 2017
• More than 10 years old, but under 15, a report must be produced by March 18, 2018

Setting up a maintenance program

In addition to the periodic verification carried out by a professional, the owner must establish a façade maintenance program. The implementation of this schedule can be entrusted to a specialist who carries out the audit. In all cases, the program is customized and includes various items to check regularly:

• Caulking damaged window seals
• Cracks on walls, rust stains,
• Ventilation outputs, VMC,
• Mould on the façade,
• Condition of plasters and plasters,roofs, gutters…

Swallowing a façade is the perfect time to improve the exterior cladding and even why not add a floor to the house.

Inspection by a professional

The control of the façade must not only be done first-hand: this verification is not enough, especially as the building ages over time, in addition to suffering the weather. It is then necessary to use specific methods to identify potential problems and identify the causes. The intervention of a construction professional is mandatory. This building expert makes a post-audit report and, based on the findings, can make an accurate diagnosis and make recommendations. The audit and drafting of the report may be entrusted to an engineer or an architect. This specialist carefully examines each façade of the building and proposes renovations to the house according to the condition of the building. It should be noted that the first review must take place before the tenth anniversary of construction, at least 6 less before the finalization of the report. Subsequently, an audit must be done every 5 years. In case of finding dangerous conditions, the owner is immediately notified, as well as the RBQ (Quebec Building Authority).