You might think that the only way that one can know whether the grouted cells, bond beams, insulation and other components of a CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit) wall are properly placed, is to open the wall with hammer or drill, where the grout or insulation is supposed to be and see if it is there.

But this destructive testing is inadequate, because this sample is much too small (often less than one ten thousandth of a percent).  Also, the tiny sample does not show where blockages (to the proper filling of insulation) and/or too much grout exists. The only other effective options are to

X-ray the walls or tear them down, which are both extremely expensive.

Structural and thermal problems in a CMU building are common. If the wall receives a trauma like a hurricane force wind, earthquake or tornado and customers or workers inside the building are hurt, the legal ramifications can be devastating. A forensic examination of a block wall laid on the ground post-event will most likely reveal some deficiencies. The building owner, architect, structural engineer, general contractor and masonry contractor can and probably will be held accountable if and when these deficiencies are documented.

Two major benefits arise from having a Block Wall Scan IR™ Survey for your project:

• When deficiencies are found, a report can be generated so that corrections can be made with surgical precision;
• The owner gets what he paid for and designers can ‘literally’ see that their specifications have been followed.