Buying a House with Masonry   |   Starting a New Project   |   Finding A Mason   |   Bigger Problems or Questions?  

A Checklist for Buying a House with Masonry

  1. Basement: Clues to Possible Problems
    1. Dry or wet (stains)
    2. Any Cracks - new or old; severe or minor
      1. Stair Step
      2. Horizontal
    3. Holes in foundation (water inlet)


  2. Brick or Stone Veneer: Clues to Possible Problems
    1. Any Cracks
      1. Stair Step
      2. Horizontal
    2. Spawling (face of brick or stone coming off)
    3. Cement Joints
      1. Signs of deterioration
    4. For new walls
      1. Mud Stains (low)
      2. Has excess cement been cleaned from face or is it still dirty


  3. Porches & Steps
    1. Are steps all same height (riser) and are treads all same size
    2. Is there a crack between steps or porch, building
    3. Is there slope to force water off
    4. Is porch floor more or less one plane


  4. Chimneys (note: exterior my give insight to interior)
    1. Any Cracks
      1. Between chimney and house
      2. Stairs
      3. Verticals
      4. Horizontals
    2. Top (use binoculars)
      1. Brick out of line
      2. Can you see between brick at top (try different angles)
      3. Is there anything loose on top
    3. Dark stains
      1. Is there a dark stain seeping between units to the exterior
      2. Is there a dark stain seeping from only one or two spots
    4. Inside home
      1. Fireplace
      2. Chimney cap
      3. Water stains
      4. Any cracks
      5. Hearth flat
      6. Front above fireplace black from smoke
      7. Back wall of fire brick burned or spawled out
 
 

2195 Spotswood Trail, Ruckersville VA 22968

804-981-3831 (Mobile), 540 - 832-3919 | Email