Masonry Construction Inspection

Per CSA A179, mortar must be specified by type (S, N, or O) appropriate for the application. Type S mortar is required for below-grade, structural, and exterior load-bearing applications. Masonry units must comply with CSA A165.1 (concrete block) or CSA A82.1 (clay brick). Mortar proportions must be mixed per CSA A179 specifications. Grout for reinforced masonry must meet CSA A179 Table 5.

1. Verify mortar type matches the specification — Type S for structural and below-grade per CSA A179

2. Confirm masonry units bear CSA certification and meet specified compressive strength

3. Check mortar consistency and workability — mortar must retain water without segregation

4. Verify grout strength and slump for reinforced masonry cores per CSA A179

5. Confirm mortar and grout batch records are maintained on site documenting mix proportions

- Incorrect mortar type used for the application — Type N where Type S is required

- Mortar re-tempered excessively reducing bond strength

- Masonry units not stored properly on site — exposed to moisture or contamination

- Grout too stiff to flow around reinforcement or too wet reducing strength

Per CSA A371, masonry must be laid plumb, level, and true to line. Tolerances are strict: vertical alignment within 6 mm in 3 m, horizontal alignment within 6 mm in 3 m, and wall thickness within plus or minus 6 mm. Bed joints must be uniform — typically 10 mm thick. Head joints must be full and uniform in width. Coursing must be checked regularly against a storey pole.

1. Check wall plumb with a level — maximum deviation 6 mm in 3 m per CSA A371

2. Verify horizontal alignment with a string line — maximum deviation 6 mm in 3 m

3. Confirm bed joint thickness is consistent — 10 mm nominal per CSA A371

4. Check coursing against storey pole to ensure courses align at windows, doors, and floor lines

5. Verify head joints are full and consistent width throughout the wall

- Walls out of plumb exceeding CSA A371 tolerance

- Bed joints varying in thickness causing misalignment at openings

- Head joints not fully filled reducing water resistance and structural capacity

- Coursing not maintained causing units to not align with openings

Per CSA S304 and CSA A371, reinforced masonry must have reinforcing bars placed in cells or bond beams as specified on structural drawings. Grout must be placed within 1.5 hours of mixing per CSA A179. Cells containing reinforcement must be grouted solid. Reinforcement must be properly positioned with minimum 15 mm clear cover to the face of the unit. Grout lifts must not exceed 1500 mm without reconsolidation.

1. Verify reinforcement bar size, spacing, and placement match structural drawings before grouting

2. Confirm minimum 15 mm clear cover between reinforcement and face shell of masonry units

3. Check that grout is placed within specified time limits and consolidated by rodding or vibration

4. Verify grout lift height does not exceed 1500 mm per CSA A371

5. Confirm bond beam reinforcement is continuous through corners and laps meet CSA S304 requirements

- Reinforcement displaced during grouting reducing effective depth

- Grout lift height exceeded causing voids and incomplete consolidation

- Reinforcement laps insufficient at splices

- Mortar droppings in cells preventing grout from filling around reinforcement

Per NBC Part 5 and CSA A371, masonry cavity walls must maintain a clear drainage space (minimum 25 mm per NBC 9.20) between the masonry veneer and the backup wall. Wall ties must be installed per CSA A370 at maximum 800 mm horizontally and 600 mm vertically. Weep holes or vents must be provided at the base of the wall, above all flashings, and above lintels at maximum 800 mm spacing.

1. Verify cavity width is maintained — minimum 25 mm clear drainage space per NBC 9.20

2. Confirm wall ties are installed at specified spacing — maximum 800 mm horizontal, 600 mm vertical per CSA A370

3. Check that weep holes are provided at base, above flashings, and above lintels at maximum 800 mm o.c.

4. Verify cavity is kept clean of mortar droppings that could bridge the drainage space

5. Confirm through-wall flashing is installed at all required locations and directs water to the weep holes

- Mortar droppings bridging the cavity creating moisture paths to the backup wall

- Wall ties missing or improperly spaced reducing structural connection

- Weep holes blocked by mortar preventing cavity drainage

- Through-wall flashing missing or improperly lapped allowing water behind the backup wall

Per CSA S304 and CSA A371, lintels must be provided over all openings and must bear minimum 100 mm on each side of the opening. Steel lintels must be primed and properly sized for the span. Control joints in concrete masonry must be provided at maximum 6 m spacing and at changes in wall height or thickness. Expansion joints in clay brick must accommodate thermal and moisture expansion — typically at 9-12 m spacing.

1. Verify lintels over all openings with minimum 100 mm bearing per CSA S304

2. Confirm lintel size and type match structural drawings for the span and load

3. Check control joint spacing in concrete block — maximum 6 m per CSA A371 and design

4. Verify expansion joint spacing in clay brick — typically 9-12 m with compressible filler

5. Confirm sealant joints are properly sized and filled with backer rod and compatible sealant

- Lintel bearing insufficient causing cracking at corners of openings

- Control joints omitted resulting in uncontrolled cracking in concrete masonry

- Expansion joints in clay brick too far apart or filled with mortar instead of compressible filler

- Steel lintels not primed causing rust staining on masonry face

Per NBC Part 5 and CSA A371, through-wall flashing must be installed at the base of all masonry walls, above all openings, at shelf angles, and at roof-to-wall transitions. Flashing must extend through the full width of the masonry and have end dams to prevent lateral water migration. Sealant joints at windows, doors, and control/expansion joints must be compatible with masonry and properly applied over backer rod.

1. Verify through-wall flashing is installed at the base of masonry walls, above openings, and at shelf angles

2. Confirm flashing extends through the full masonry width with end dams at terminations

3. Check that flashing laps are minimum 150 mm and sealed with compatible adhesive

4. Verify sealant joints are properly sized with backer rod and filled with compatible sealant

5. Confirm drip edges are provided at sills and projections to direct water away from the wall face

- Through-wall flashing missing at critical locations allowing water to migrate inward

- Flashing laps not sealed creating leak paths

- End dams missing at flashing terminations allowing lateral water movement

- Incompatible sealant used that does not adhere to masonry or stains the surface