When most people think of engineering, they imagine skyscrapers, blueprints, and hard hats. But what if I told you that one of the most fascinating parts of my job feels more like a mix between detective work and surgery? That’s exactly what it’s like when I perform exploratory openings in building façades, particularly masonry.
At first glance, a façade might seem like just a wall—a functional and decorative outer layer of a building. But behind that surface lies a hidden world of structural and waterproofing elements, each playing a critical role in keeping the building safe and standing tall: masonry ties or anchors, lintels, membranes, insulation, the list goes on. When something goes wrong—cracks in the brick, water infiltration, or bowing walls—those visible symptoms are just the beginning of the story. My job is to investigate the unseen, find the root cause, and provide a solution.
The Detective’s Perspective
Imagine stepping onto a site and staring at a bowing brick wall. At first, it’s just a curious case of deflection. Why is the wall pushing outward? What’s causing the stress? With my clipboard and a mind full of hypotheses, I start piecing together the clues.
It’s not until we make an exploratory opening—a carefully chosen incision in the façade—that the mystery begins to unravel. One memorable case involved a building with bricks visibly bulging out near the top floor. As we opened the wall, we uncovered the culprit: corroded masonry ties. These thin pieces of metal, which are supposed to anchor the brick to the structural backing, had succumbed to rust and literally torn apart. Without their support, the bricks had no choice but to bow outward.
But the story didn’t end there. Further investigation revealed another issue: the steel lintels supporting the windows had also corroded and expanded, creating even more pressure on the bricks above. The more we uncovered, the clearer the story became—like unraveling a plot twist in a novel.
The Surgeon’s Precision
While the detective work is thrilling, the surgical aspect requires precision and care. Just like a surgeon must delicately navigate through tissue, I have to ensure that the exploratory openings don’t cause unnecessary damage to the structure.
On one project, a building had a series of cracks radiating from the corners of its windows. Opening the façade revealed rusted steel lintels that had expanded significantly. The corrosion didn’t just cause physical stress; it also introduced moisture into the surrounding masonry, weakening the entire system. The trick was to document everything we found, assess the structural damage, and carefully close the opening so repairs could be planned.
Allies in the Investigation
One of my favorite parts of this process is working with the masons who perform the openings. They’re not just the hands breaking into the wall; they’re my partners in uncovering the story hidden within.
Masons bring an incredible depth of knowledge about construction practices, both good and bad. As they remove the layers of brick or stone, they often provide invaluable insights: “This was built with solid craftsmanship,” or “This detail here? Definitely not done to last.”
The conversations we share on-site are not just technical; they’re collaborative. They suggest potential causes of damage, compare what we’re seeing to similar projects, and even propose practical solutions. Their experience and intuition add so much richness to the investigation, making them like allies in a shared mission to solve the mystery.
In many ways, I’ve learned as much from masons as I have from textbooks and codes. Their lived experience on the job site offers perspectives that complement my engineering approach, creating a partnership that I deeply value.
What Lies Beneath
The beauty of exploratory openings is that no two cases are the same. Sometimes, I find surprises—like improperly installed materials or remnants of past repairs gone wrong. Other times, I discover that hidden components are in better condition than expected, offering a rare bit of good news for the client.
Through it all, there’s something deeply satisfying about uncovering the unseen and bringing clarity to a situation. Each opening is an opportunity to solve a puzzle, to bring light to what’s hidden, and to ensure the safety and longevity of a structure.
Lessons in Building—and in Life
In many ways, my work mirrors life and faith. Just as a façade can hide structural issues, we often carry unseen struggles or unresolved challenges. Sometimes, we need to dig deeper—prayerfully and with the help of others—to uncover the root causes and begin the healing process.
And just like a building, the small, hidden details matter. Those corroded ties or rusted lintels may seem insignificant at first, but over time, they can compromise an entire structure. It’s a powerful reminder to pay attention to the small things in our personal and spiritual lives, ensuring our foundation is strong and secure.
So, the next time you pass a building, take a moment to appreciate the story it holds—and the unseen hands working to keep it standing tall. Because whether it’s a wall or a life, every crack has a cause, and every cause has a solution waiting to be uncovered.
