Old-school masonry - be it foundation, bricks or blocks - were usually made of only lime and sand, no cement, their proportions have to be exact and they cured very slowly and could be adversely affected by water exposure early in the curing process.

@Joe Splitrock - I am proficient in all the trades, even pointing masonry.

Just for kicks, check out this "simplified" guide to low voltage installer licensing requirements in CT:http://www.casiact.org/assets/2016-simplified-guid...Here in WI, up to 24 volts I believe it is, NO license is required and we see some of the same messes and I'd agree with the other comments, as landlords we MUST keep an extremely tight leash on ANY sort of installs like these and I've seen the "cable guy" do much of the same and it doesn't matter if its some dump about ready to fall over or an incredible, truly classic home with a stone or brick exterior, they'll normally just drill right through the exterior (good for the masonry drill bit companies!)

Many of the walls in the house are masonry, so replacing plumbing is prohibitive.

This is especially true with something like tuckpointing the masonry.

Like most homes there, it's about 45 years old, masonry construction, etc.

Hi all, I am currently in the process of rehabbing a duplex that is Masonry Brick.

The exterior is masonry block with stucco finish.

I don't but do, and just like Charles I put a pencil to it for a final decission.As a lender looking at an application for a NOO, I'd initially look at it with 50%, but then I had to use some other quick judgments as well.The age, the location (being very familiar with the city helps), type of construction (masonry, wood, siding and amenities involved).

@Brian Stewart @Christie Gahan  Cleaned with mineral spirits, then painted with masonry paint.