Masonry Cleanouts 1

[SteelPE]

I have a building that is currently under construction that I am quite miffed about. The building is utilizing some CMU stair shafts as shear walls. We are grouting the walls solid and have give the contractor the option to do low lift grouting or high lift grouting. The contractor selected the use of high lift grouting.

During my last visit to the site, the CMU walls were being constructed and had yet to be grouted. I commented and noted in my field report that since high lift grouting was being utilized that cleanout holes would be at the bottom of the CMU would be required. The contractor complained but I told them the information was clearly on the drawings and they were the ones who selected high lift grouting for their ease.

Fast forward to my field visit today, when grouting of the CMU walls was complete... with not a cleanout hole on the entire project.

I am not sure what to do in this instance. Very angry right now.

 

[bIockhead]

I often find objections to cleanouts from the architect when the masonry is going to be left exposed, which I have some disdain for. If the block is being painted then I don't think it looks that much worse, but I'm also an engineer

Just bringing it up as a reason why reputable contractors sometimes won't provide cleanouts (had their hand slapped one too many times)

I am team pro-cleanout (which I would say is part and parcel with being team-following-codes-and-standards...)

 

[phamENG]

objections to cleanouts from the architect when the masonry is going to be left exposed

And that's fine. But if that's the stance, low lift grout is required. You don't get the benefits of high lift without the associated prep and inspection requirements.

 

[masonrygeek]

Trained mason contractors know the correct way to grout a masonry wall. The TMS 402/602 clearly shows the requirements for cleanouts and these types of issues are discussed at contractor seminars and events. IMI has a certification for reinforced and grouted masonry that craftworkers can take: https://imiweb.org/grouting-reinforcing-training/. The days of acting dumb are over, especially if you are in that business.

The imaging of the wall is right on track to determine if remedial actions are necessary. Grout injection (not the same grout as placed in the cells) can be done as mentioned above if voids are found.

 

[SteelPE]

FWIW, I went to another project the other day..... it was just an elevator shaft for a small wood framed building. Mason was going to do grout lifts from floor to floor. Again, he had no idea what I was talking about when I told him he was doing high lift grouting (as our floors are more than 5'-4" from floor to floor) and that he needed masonry cleanouts at the base of the grouted cells.

I hate masons...... but I have come to realize that I hate wood framers more.