Masonry Maintenance Checklist for Property Managers
- John Screen
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
We know you're juggling ten properties, dealing with tenant complaints, and now someone's asking about the brickwork. Masonry maintenance probably isn't keeping you up at night, but it should definitely be on your radar. Catching small issues early can save you from those nightmare repair bills down the line.
TL;DR: Regular masonry inspections prevent expensive emergency repairs. Check your buildings seasonally, document everything, and don't ignore the small stuff.
How Often Should I Actually Inspect My Building's Masonry?
Twice a year, minimum. The winter is when most damage happens, and the freeze-thaw cycle is to blame for that. So definitely check your brickwork in the fall for any major cracks that need to be repaired before winter makes it worse. Also, check in the spring to assess if the cold winter temperatures impacted the building.
Boston winters are brutal on masonry, so if your building's over 50 years old or you've got exposed brick? Bump that up to quarterly checks.
What to Look for During Seasonal Masonry Inspections
Walk the perimeter with your phone out. You're hunting for:
Cracked or crumbling mortar
Efflorescence (white, crusty deposits that mean water's getting where it shouldn't)
Loose bricks or stones
Wide cracks
Take photos and date them. Your future self will thank you when you need to show the deterioration timeline.
Need a masonry inspection? Give us a call: 781-435-0498
Don't Skip the Roof Line and Foundation
Most people stare at the middle of the building and call it done, but water damage loves the roofline where flashing meets masonry, and your foundation's where settlement cracks appear visibly. These areas need extra attention during every walkthrough.
What Maintenance Can I Handle vs. When Do I Call a Masonry Expert?
You can handle the small stuff such as cleaning off dirt, removing ivy before it destroys your mortar, and keeping gutters clear so water doesn't cascade down your walls.
But repointing? Structural cracks? Anything involving scaffolding? That's when you need specialists. Commercial masonry restoration isn't a DIY weekend project.
The Real Cost of Waiting
Here's something nobody tells you: putting off a $3,000 repointing job can turn into a $30,000 structural repair within two years. Water infiltration doesn't take breaks. It just keeps working its way deeper into your walls, freezing, expanding, and wreaking havoc on your building's integrity.
Should I Keep Maintenance Records?
Yes. Create a simple spreadsheet where you log inspection dates, findings, repairs made, and photos. This is evidence that you've maintained the property responsibly. When you eventually sell or refinance, that documentation adds value.
Plus, if you're managing historic buildings in Boston, proper maintenance records can help with historic tax credits and preservation grants.
Final Thoughts
Masonry maintenance won't impress your tenants the way a new lobby does, but it protects your investment and prevents those 2 am emergency calls about water pouring through a wall.
Set reminders, do the walkthroughs, and build a relationship with a solid masonry restoration company like JMS Masonry before you desperately need one. Your building (and your budget) will be better for it.
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