Checklists by trade
3 lists · 23 items · 35 photosMasonry inspection checklists
Masonry inspection checklists for the rough-in, pre-cover and final walks: 3 free lists, 23 items and 35 photo requirements, each item naming what to look for and the photo that proves it. Work is commonly verified against TMS masonry standards; the edition in force is the AHJ's call on each project.
The masonry walks, in build order
Masonry Rough-in· MasonryMasonry rough-in inspection checklistFirst-lift walk of layout, coursing, mortar joints and reinforcement before the wall builds height9 items14 photosMasonry Pre-cover· MasonryMasonry pre-cover inspection checklistThe hold-point walk before grouting and insulation seal cells, ties and weeps out of view6 items10 photosMasonry Final· MasonryMasonry final inspection checklistCompleted veneer or CMU walk checking finish, movement joints and cleaning before turnover8 items11 photos
Where each walk sits in the schedule
- Masonry rough-in inspection checklistrough-in
- After the first course or two is set and before the wall gains enough height to make correcting layout or bond pattern disruptive. Run by: The mason foreman checking their own first courses, or the GC's superintendent verifying layout before the wall climbs.
- Masonry pre-cover inspection checklistpre-cover
- 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. Run by: The GC's superintendent with the mason foreman, releasing wall sections for grout pour or cavity insulation.
- Masonry final inspection checklistfinal
- After the wall is complete, cleaned and cured, before scaffolding comes down and the area is turned over. Run by: The mason foreman at completion, then the GC or owner's representative at final walk.
What most often sends masonry work back
- Wall lines started off the survey control point, discovered only after several courses are up.
- Reinforcing bar and dowels placed off the drawn spacing, with no photo taken before mortar covers the cell.
- Mortar joints tooled inconsistently from the start, locking in a visible seam once the wall is finished.
- 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.
- Efflorescence appearing after turnover with no baseline photos to show it wasn't present at completion.
- Movement joints omitted or filled solid with mortar, showing up as cracking later.
Verified against
Families only, never clause numbers. Adoption varies by jurisdiction; confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
Common questions
- Which masonry inspections do these checklists cover?
- Masonry rough-in inspection checklist (rough-in): After the first course or two is set and before the wall gains enough height to make correcting layout or bond pattern disruptive. Masonry pre-cover inspection checklist (pre-cover): 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. Masonry final inspection checklist (final): After the wall is complete, cleaned and cured, before scaffolding comes down and the area is turned over.
- Who runs a masonry inspection?
- The mason foreman checking their own first courses, or the GC's superintendent verifying layout before the wall climbs. The GC's superintendent with the mason foreman, releasing wall sections for grout pour or cavity insulation. The mason foreman at completion, then the GC or owner's representative at final walk.
- What most often sends masonry work back?
- Wall lines started off the survey control point, discovered only after several courses are up. Reinforcing bar and dowels placed off the drawn spacing, with no photo taken before mortar covers the cell. Mortar joints tooled inconsistently from the start, locking in a visible seam once the wall is finished. Cells grouted with mortar droppings still in the bottom, found only after the pour when the cell won't fill.
- Which standards is masonry work verified against?
- TMS masonry standards, published by the The Masonry Society. Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
- Can I run these checklists in RTI?
- Yes. Start a free RTI workspace and load any of the 3 lists (23 items in total). The Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached, and approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident audit trail.