Inspect and Plan a Residential Masonry Project

A. Finished-Project Specification

Deliverable: one completed Masonry-Readiness Worksheet for one selected proposed project, containing project classification, base and support findings, drainage and moisture findings, structural condition findings, opening and reinforcement findings, access and staging findings, utility and flue conflict findings, material identification, weather-control plan, preliminary quantity and crew plan, deficiency list, reinspection record, professional referrals, and a final readiness decision.

B. Inspection Item Schedule

Item	What Is Inspected	Tool or Method	Recorded Result
Base / support	Level, width, cracks, settlement, contamination, moisture, bearing	Level, tape measure, moisture meter, visual	Pass / Deficient / Stop-Work, with dimensions and photo reference
Grade and drainage	Surrounding grade slope, roof runoff, splashback, foundation drainage	Visual, tape measure	Pass / Deficient, with description and photo reference
Water sources	Roof runoff, cap details, flashing, weeps, freeze-thaw exposure	Visual, drawing review	Identified list with location
Existing wall condition	Alignment, bulging, displacement, cracking, failed joints, spalls, staining, prior repairs	Level, visual, photo	Pass / Deficient / Stop-Work, with photo reference
Openings and reinforcement	Openings, lintels, ties, anchors, reinforcement, movement joints, service or roof interfaces	Drawing review, visual	Identified list with location
Access and staging	Delivery routes, scaffold conditions, lifting needs, mixing area, washout, weather exposure	Visual, tape measure	Pass / Deficient, with description
Utility and flue conflicts	Electrical, gas, plumbing, drainage, flue, and structural conflicts	Visual, drawing review	Identified list with location
Materials	Units, mortar, grout, reinforcement, ties, flashing, weeps, sealants, cleaners, caps specified for the project	Drawing and specification review	Identified list with source document reference

C. Documentation Requirements

• Photographs: at least one photograph of the base or support, the surrounding grade and drainage, any existing masonry condition, and every recorded deficiency.
• Drawing references: a citation to the specific drawing sheet, detail, or specification section supporting every material and dimension identified in Step 13 and Step 14.
• Deficiency list: a written list of every item recorded as Deficient or Stop-Work, with location, description, and required correction or referral.
• Reinspection record: the date, method, and result of reinspecting every corrected deficiency before the readiness decision is finalized.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Base level	Level within the tolerance stated in the approved drawings; if none is stated, record the measured out-of-level condition and refer it rather than estimating a tolerance
Base cracking, settlement, contamination	None present; any found condition is recorded as Deficient or Stop-Work per the classification below
Drainage	Grade slopes away from the base and no unmanaged roof runoff, splashback, or standing water is present at the work area
Existing wall condition	No bulging, displacement, widespread cracking, failed lintels, or loose chimney sections; isolated hairline mortar cracking is recorded as Deficient and referred to Chapter 14 or Chapter 15 scope, not corrected here
Stop-work conditions	Unstable foundations, active settlement, major wall displacement, bulging walls, failed lintels, widespread cracking, loose chimney sections, fire damage, unidentified flue conditions, or movement requiring structural evaluation; inspection of that item stops and is referred to a qualified professional
Materials identified	Every masonry unit, mortar, grout, reinforcement, tie, flashing, weep, sealant, cleaner, and cap is traced to a specific approved drawing, specification, or manufacturer instruction; no material is selected by the inspector without a controlling document
Readiness decision	Approved: no deficiencies recorded. Conditional: deficiencies recorded but correctable without professional redesign, with every item reinspected and cleared before Chapter 2 begins. Rejected: one or more stop-work conditions present; the project does not proceed until a qualified professional resolves them and a new inspection is performed

E. Preparation — Documents and Project Selection

1. Obtain approved drawings, site information, wall sections, foundation or ledge details, drainage details, material specifications, and permit requirements. Confirm every document is the current approved version before the inspection begins.
2. Define whether the project is load-bearing, nonload-bearing, veneer, freestanding, retaining, repair, chimney-related, step-related, or decorative. Record this classification on the Project Identification Record before proceeding.
3. Identify the responsible design and inspection authority. Record the name and contact information of the engineer, architect, building department, or other authority of record for the project.

F. Base, Support, and Drainage Inspection

1. Inspect the base, footing, slab, shelf angle, ledge, framing, sheathing, or existing masonry support. Identify the exact support element the new or repaired work will bear on.
2. Check support for level, width, cracks, settlement, contamination, moisture, and adequate bearing. Use the level, tape measure, and moisture meter and record every reading on the Inspection Item Schedule.
3. Inspect surrounding grade and drainage. Confirm the grade slopes away from the work area and record any standing water, ponding, or reversed slope.
4. Identify water sources, roof runoff, splashback, cap details, flashing, weeps, foundation drainage, and freeze-thaw exposure. Record the location of every identified water source relative to the proposed work.

G. Existing Masonry, Openings, and Conflict Inspection

1. Inspect wall alignment, bulging, displacement, cracking, failed joints, spalls, staining, and previous repairs. Photograph every condition found and record it as Pass, Deficient, or Stop-Work.
2. Identify openings, lintels, ties, anchors, reinforcement, movement joints, service penetrations, and roof or wall interfaces. Cross-reference each against the approved drawings.
3. Inspect access, material-delivery routes, scaffold conditions, lifting needs, mixing area, washout, and weather exposure. Record measured clearances for delivery and staging areas.
4. Identify electrical, gas, plumbing, drainage, flue, and structural conflicts. Mark the location of every identified conflict on the site sketch or drawing.
5. Stop work for disputed support, unidentified flues, major structural cracking, active movement, loose chimneys, failed lintels, or unsafe access. Classify each stopped item per the Acceptance Standards table and record the required professional referral.

H. Materials, Weather Controls, and Preliminary Planning

1. Identify masonry units, mortar, grout, reinforcement, ties, flashing, weeps, sealants, cleaners, and caps specified for the project. Cite the specific drawing, specification section, or manufacturer instruction for each.
2. Verify unit dimensions, absorption, finish, color range, and compatibility. Record each value with its source document.
3. Determine cold-, hot-, wet-, and windy-weather controls. Record the specific protection method required for the anticipated construction season.
4. Prepare a preliminary quantity, staging, crew, access, and protection plan. Base every quantity on the component schedule in the approved drawings; do not estimate quantities without a source document.

I. Deficiency Resolution and Readiness Decision

1. Prepare a deficiency and prerequisite list. Compile every item recorded as Deficient or Stop-Work into a single written list with location, description, and required correction or referral.
2. Reinspect corrected items. Return to each corrected deficiency, verify the correction using the same tool or method used in the original inspection, and record the reinspection date and result.
3. Issue an approved, conditional, or rejected masonry-readiness decision. Base the decision solely on the Acceptance Standards table; a project with any unresolved stop-work condition must be classified Rejected.
4. Document professional referrals and inspection hold points. Record every professional referral made during the inspection and every hold point that must be cleared before the corresponding later chapter begins.