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Coping with Cracks in Brick Veneer
It’s hard to improve upon brick as an exterior finish material. A house with a brick exterior offers the advantages of low maintenance, exceptional durability, impact resistance and fireproof construction, just for starters. Most newer houses with brick exteriors – those built since 1960 or so – actually feature brick veneer construction. In other words, a single-layer brick wall is laid up outside a wood-framed wall (see the drawing).
Wood framing provides the structural support for the house; the brick veneer serves as an exterior siding material. It’s typical for there to be a narrow (about 1-2 in.) air space between the wood-framed wall and the brick wall, but the two walls are linked with metal ties that are nailed to the plywood sheathing and cast into the mortar joints between brick courses.
Since a brick veneer wall isn’t structural, it would be logical to assume that cracks in the brick wall don’t indicate a structural problem. After all, it’s the wood-framed wall that holds the house up. This reasoning holds true, but only for certain types of cracks. “Hairline” cracks too narrow to admit a business card are probably not cause for concern. These tiny cracks often occur as mortar cures or in response to normal settling or movement.
However, other types of cracks do indicate structural problems that probably require the expert services of a foundation repair contractor. It’s important to keep in mind that the detailing for brick veneer calls for the brick to be supported by a ledge built into the concrete foundation. If the foundation wall settles or shifts in a significant way, this movement will probably cause structural cracking in the brick veneer. Here are a few telltale signs of structural problems related to cracks in brick veneer:
• Vertical cracks that extend through vertical mortar joints and bricks.
• Stepped cracks that follow vertical and horizontal mortar joints through several courses. (Shown in Image.)
• Cracks above window and door openings and cracks that extend from the top corners of these openings.
If these exterior conditions are present, there’s a good chance that problems will show up inside the house as well. For example, you’re likely to see uneven gaps around windows and doors located in the affected wall. The same windows and doors will probably also be difficult to open and close. The good news is that full-service foundation repair contractors are experienced in repairing this type of structural damage and making cracked brick veneer look new again. If you suspect that cracks in a brick wall might signal a foundation problem, make sure to have your home evaluated by a reputable foundation repair specialist.
Contact Basement Systems Winnipeg today for
foundation repair in Manitoba!
Posted on: 2011/01/03 3:47:23pm by: Tim Snyder
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