Free checklist
Masonry pre-cover inspection checklist
A masonry pre-cover inspection is the hold point before concealed work disappears behind the next layer. This checklist is built for that walk: verify, photograph, then release the cover — not the other way around. Work is commonly verified against TMS standards — confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.
- Items
- 6
- Photos required
- 10
- Built for
- Subcontractors
Who runs it
The GC's superintendent with the mason foreman, releasing wall sections for grout pour or cavity insulation.
When in the schedule
After cells are cleaned out and reinforcement is tied off, immediately before the grout pour or before cavity insulation and the veneer tie system are covered.
The checklist
Every item, and the photo that proves it
The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Copy the list as-is, or load it into RTI and let the gate enforce it.
Cell and cavity condition
- 3 photos
Cells clear of mortar droppings and debris before grouting
Cleanout photo showing bare cell bottom at every cleanout opening along the run.
- 1 photo
Reinforcement still centered and tied after cleanout
Bar has not shifted or been knocked loose during cleanout; positioners still holding.
- 1 photo
Grout consistency and lift height match the pour plan
Grout slump appropriate for the cell, lift heights match the low-lift or high-lift plan being used.
Ties, flashing and weeps
- 2 photos
Veneer ties placed at the required spacing before cavity insulation
Tie spacing and embedment match the plan, corrosion-resistant ties used at the specified locations.
- 2 photos
Flashing continuous and turned up behind the veneer
Flashing laps sealed, end dams present, no gaps at corners before the cavity is closed.
- 1 photo
Weep holes open and unobstructed at the base of the wall
Weep spacing matches the plan, holes clear of mortar so water can drain from the cavity.
What usually sends this back
The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work
- Cells grouted with mortar droppings still in the bottom, found only after the pour when the cell won't fill.
- Wall ties missing or spaced too far apart, discovered after the cavity insulation is already installed.
- Weep holes blocked by mortar or missing entirely at the base of the veneer before flashing is covered.
Run it with the Photo Gate
A checklist nobody can submit half-finished
Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 10 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident record behind every line.
Submission state
The gate is enforced on the server, so it holds even if the phone is offline when the walk happens.
Verified against
Common questions
- What does this masonry pre-cover checklist cover?
- 6 items across 2 sections — cell and cavity condition, ties, flashing and weeps. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
- Who should run this inspection?
- The GC's superintendent with the mason foreman, releasing wall sections for grout pour or cavity insulation.
- When in the schedule should this walk happen?
- After cells are cleaned out and reinforcement is tied off, immediately before the grout pour or before cavity insulation and the veneer tie system are covered.
- Why does every item ask for a photo?
- 10 of the 6 items call for photo evidence. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
- What most often fails a masonry pre-cover inspection?
- Cells grouted with mortar droppings still in the bottom, found only after the pour when the cell won't fill. Wall ties missing or spaced too far apart, discovered after the cavity insulation is already installed. Weep holes blocked by mortar or missing entirely at the base of the veneer before flashing is covered.
- Can I use this checklist in RTI?
- Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident audit trail.
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