April 2025

MASONRY MATTERS

2025 IS OFF TO A GREAT START!

Through the first three months of 2025, we've had great turnout at events such as our grout and flashing workshops, and Masonry 101. As special inspections gain more attention, it's critical that we continue educating the A/E/C community. To that end, we recently developed a new document about what to expect with special inspections here.

To make things easier for designers, we have been working through our Generic Wall Design Committee to develop new tools to help make masonry easier to design and are exploring new opportunities for design assist. The Concrete Masonry Checkoff program recently started the Block Design Collective, and they are looking to leverage technical resources such as the MIM to help grow the masonry market in our region.

Code Advocacy

In 2025, we are partnering with universities to get research done to promote code changes related to grout lifts and grout pours. Specifically, our goal is to eliminate cleanouts for grout pours and lifts above 5 ft. 4 in. We believe that this would result in cost and schedule savings for projects not only in Michigan, but around the country.

Understanding the expected height of mortar droppings is critical to us achieving this goal. If any mason contractors have insight into "typical" mortar build up at the base of walls using either low lift of high lift grouting, please reach out to us so we can include it in our research.

Not All Concrete is the Same

CMHA recently published the first Environmental Product Declaration (EPDs) for CMUs in the United States, and embodied carbon continues to become a bigger deciding factor on projects. We are working to educate designers on EPDs, and the research shows that dry cast concrete products (such as CMUs) can help to meet project energy goals. If we include 2 years of carbon sequestration, a CMU cavity wall performs better than nearly all other wall assemblies in terms of embodied carbon. We need to leverage this research as we promote our industry moving forward.

From the Desk of Phil Ledent

Ahead of the adoption of the 2021 Michigan Building Code, we have been actively working with architects and engineers and assisting them with designing masonry buildings throughout the state. One of the challenges that I have started working on is moving our industry from more of a reactive approach to being proactive. When speaking at the Block Promoters Conference, I emphasized that if our focus is simply on "flipping" projects, then we're too late. At that point, we're trying to convince an owner or designer that has already willingly chosen not to use masonry to change their mind. Instead, we've shifted our focus to educating designers on how they can economically design masonry buildings. Through simple means, such as education on energy codes, we have successfully influenced projects and worked with designers to specify masonry over other construction materials.

Just last week, we were able to influence four projects in a single day to use masonry. One of the areas that we have been concentrating on has been working with firms to update specifications and standard details. This approach has been successful, and we've been seeing more of our standard details and specification language showing up on projects and look to continue assisting designers with this in 2025. As an industry, we have to change how we work with designers, and the MIM is in a perfect position to do just that!

On the Road Again

In 2025, ahead of the adoption of the 2021 Michigan Building Code on April 9, we have been actively meeting with design professionals to offer learning opportunities and assist them with the design of masonry projects. Thank you to our sponsors:

Leidal and Hart Mason Contractors

MASONPRO

Quikrete/Spec Mix

Through the first three months of 2025:

Held almost 20 lunch and learn presentations with architects and structural engineers on topics such as construction document requirements and masonry specifications.
Presented on design assist and delegated design at the Michigan Mason Contractors Association.
Held a grout workshop and Masonry 101 workshop with Burggrabe Masonry to discuss minimum code requirements.
Presented to the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes regarding special inspections on masonry projects.
Presented on Michigan programs at the Concrete Masonry Checkoff board meeting.
Participated at Construction Specifications Institute meetings regarding design assist and delegated design opportunities.
Engaged with the Lawrence Technological University advisory board and reviewed senior design projects.
Presented at the Block Promoters Conference on design assist and delegated design opportunities through the Concrete Masonry and Hardscapes Association and Concrete Masonry Checkoff.
Held a flashing workshop with Burggrabe Masonry, Owen-Ames-Kimball, and GMB.
Served as the Secretary for The Masonry Society main committee and implemented code changes for the 2028 TMS 402/602 through our Generic Wall Design Committee.

MIM workshops are intended to build collaboration between the field and the design office so that masonry becomes more than lines on a piece of paper. If you would like Phil to present a workshop, a lunch and learn or provide training for your team, please reach out.

In Case You Missed It

The MIM has renewed our strategic alliance with MIOSHA and will be working to educate mason contractors and enforcement officers on wall bracing requirements.

Along with the Block Design Collective, the MIM will be presenting on design assist and delegated design opportunities for projects at the AIA Michigan Mid Summer Conference.

Kyle Lochonic from Davenport Masonry will be speaking along with the MIM on the Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Your Masonry Project to engineers from around the country through NCSEA.

The MIM will be speaking at the annual Code Officials Conference of Michigan in April regarding masonry special inspections.

The Generic Wall Design Committee has been actively working on developing standard RFI language and promoting TMS code changes to help with constructability.

The 2025 MCAA Midyear Meeting will be held on Mackinac Island to celebrate their 75th anniversary in September.

Calendar of Events

April

10 Generic Wall Design Committee Meeting (9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

13-16 TMS Spring Meeting in Spokane, WA. Register here: 2025 Spring Meeting

28 Code Officials Conference of Michigan

May

1 Generic Wall Design Committee Meeting (9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

13 MMCA Spring Golf Outing at the Emerald Golf Course

20 MIM/MIOSHA Strategic Alliance Signing Ceremony

29 MIM Scholarship Foundation Golf Outing. Register here.

June

5 Generic Wall Design Committee Meeting (9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

19 MIM Board of Trustees Meeting (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

2025 Scholarship Application Now Available – Click here!

Check out the Concrete Masonry Checkoff monthly newsletter here. Read more about the CMC Board meeting in February, their Think Big Innovations Meeting, and view the 23 program posters that were presented during the meeting.

Reach out to learn more about how these programs affect our market in Michigan! We had several programs approved and completed in 2024, and we're looking ahead to 2026.

Don't Just Take it From Us

“I had the pleasure of working with the Masonry Institute of Michigan and I couldn't be more impressed. Phil took the time to review our in-house masonry details, providing quick and insightful feedback. What really stood out to me was his willingness to schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss each detail in depth, giving me an opportunity to discuss any further action needed. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking expert masonry guidance!”

-DLZ

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Tip of the Month

Internal wall bracing is an effective means of complying with MIOSHA requirements. Read more here: Part 2, Masonry Wall Bracing. Internal bracing has proved effective, even during recent high wind events, and saves on cost as well as helping site logistics.