EMA Masonry Damage Inspections

Masonry damage Inspections are used when there exists masonry forensics problems regionally, but many occur nationwide. Here’s an overview of 10 common construction problems that masonry engineers face during a masonry damage inspection service.

Masonry Damage Inspections in Florida & Texas | Licensed Structural Engineers

What Is a Masonry Damage Inspection?

A masonry Damage inspection is a structural evaluation of brick, block, stone, or CMU (concrete masonry unit) systems. Whether damage is due to weather, foundation movement, or poor construction, a detailed report is crucial for:

Safety assurance during masonry damage inspections

Insurance claims

Real estate transactions for masonry damage inspections

Code compliance

Repair planning after masonry damage inspections

⚠️ Common Signs of Masonry Damage

Step cracks in exterior brick walls

Bulging or leaning walls

Displaced or loose bricks and blocks

Vertical or diagonal cracking near windows/doors

Crumbling mortar joints

Water intrusion & efflorescence
Foundation settlement or heaving

🔧 What We Inspect During Masonry Damage Inspections

Our Florida- and Texas-licensed structural engineers perform:

Visual and structural assessment during masonry damage inspections

Mortar and joint integrity checks

Crack pattern analysis during masonry damage inspections

Moisture penetration mapping

Load-bearing stability evaluations

Each report is sealed by a Professional Engineer (PE) and accepted by municipalities, HOAs, insurance companies, and attorneys.

🌪️ Specialized in Post-Storm & Foundation-Related Masonry Damage

We frequently assess masonry after:

Hurricanes & windstorms (common in Florida & Gulf Coast Texas)

Foundation settlement due to expansive clay (Texas)

Water intrusion and poor drainage issues

Improper construction or renovations

📍 Areas We Serve in Florida & Texas

Florida:

Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Daytona, Fort Myers

Texas:

Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Galveston, Corpus Christi, El Paso

🛠️ Repair Planning & Expert Witness Services

In addition to inspections, we provide:

Written structural repair plans

Coordination with masons and general contractors

Expert witness reports for litigation or insurance disputes

Why Choose Us?

✅ Licensed Professional Engineers in FL & TX
✅ 20+ Years of Forensic & Structural Expertise
✅ Accurate, Timely, Code-Compliant Reports
✅ Insurance-Ready Documentation
✅ Fast Turnaround (2–5 Business Days)
✅ Trusted by Homeowners, Attorneys, HOAs & Builders

Related Services (Internal Links)

👉 Structural Engineering Reports
👉 Hurricane Damage Inspections
👉 Foundation Damage Inspections
👉 Construction Defect Investigations

External Resources (for E-A-T and Trust)

📞 Schedule a Masonry Damage Inspection in Florida or Texas

Don’t wait for visible damage to get worse—or more expensive. Contact our engineering team today to schedule a certified inspection.

📞 Call (321) 355‑6052
📧 Request an Estimate
🕘 Available 7 Days a Week for Emergency Inspections

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Efflorescence Noted During Masonry Damage Inspections

When water containing dissolved salts evaporates from a masonry structure it leaves a salt deposit (Figure 1). The stain is called efflorescence. Salts may be present in all types of masonry materials: mortar, brick, concrete block, stucco, and plaster. Or they may be in water that enters the masonry

Besides being unsightly, efflorescence may lead to more serious problems such as cracking. Salt crystals deposited in pores sometime generate enough pressure to crack the masonry.

To prevent efflorescence, prevent water from entering the wall and provide drainage for water that does. Design properly and install ﬂashing, weep holes, drips, and caulking.

2 PROBLEM In Masonry Damage Inspections

Corrosion In Masonry Damage Inspections

In the presence of water and oxygen, steel rebars in bond beams, grouted cells, or collar joints will corrode. Horizontal joint reinforcement ties that hold multi-wythe masonry walls together, or anchors that attach a veneer wall to a support also are susceptible to corrosion, needing masonry damage inspections mandatory

Rust, the product of corrosion, occupies up to six times the original volume of steel. This volume expansion causes cracks that let in more water and thus cause even more corrosion.

The most common materials used for reinforcing are un-coated steel, zinc-coated steel, and hot-dipped galvanized steel. The coatings and the alkaline mortar provide some corrosion protection. There is, however, no substitute for good tight mortar joints and ﬂashing that minimize the amount of moisture entering and accumulating in the masonry.

Also, avoid adding chloride to mortar or grout; soluble chlorides accelerate corrosion. And don’t install dissimilar metals such as copper and steel in the same wall. When there’s moisture in the wall, dissimilar metals sometimes react and cause corrosion too, masonry damage inspections Florida.