Step/Vertical cracks in brick ... NONE in foundation - InspectionNews

Nolan Kienitz · #1 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 05:16 AM

Trim feature on three corners of house had vertical cracks in same location. Step cracks were located in trim feature at one of three corners. Viewed several other homes in development ... all had same cracks and step cracks.

There were NO cracks in foundation on any of the homes. Attic framing was stable.

All homes are same age (built: 2002-2003) and all by same builder.

Observations please?

wayne soper · #2 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 05:30 AM

Being in the location of a downspout it leads me to think about overflowing gutters or downspouts draining next to the home causing settlement and although you didn't see any cracks in the foundation this still could have caused it. Poured concrete? or block. Any freezing where you are? Water running down the side of the home from a clogged gutter or damaged downspout and freezing in the mortar joints could do that.

Nolan Kienitz · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne soper

Any freezing where you are? Water running down the side of the home from a clogged gutter or damaged downspout and freezing in the mortar joints could do that.

No freezing. No clogged gutters. Only one of three corners had gutter adjacent.

wayne soper · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 06:05 AM

Mabey it has something to do with the way they tied that raised detail into it. there is no stagger at that joint

Michael Thomas · #5 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 06:17 AM

Do you have a wide angle shot of one of those corners?

Scott Patterson · #6 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 06:20 AM

Many times those quoins are the last part of the two joining walls. This makes it an ideal location for cracks to form. If I could not find any additional signs of movement around the home, I would say that it is more cosmetic and that the mortar joints need to be repointed.

Nolan Kienitz · #7 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 12:38 PM

Update:

Met with my foundation "go to" specialist this morning and he says he sees this "a lot". He finds that it ends up being a quality control issue ... close to what Wayne suggested.

Likely there are no 'brick ties' supporting the brick at the corners and (as you know) brick and mortar without support is very weak in the scheme of things.

Ends up being a cosmetic issue, but worth the homeowner keeping an eye on ... just in case there is more separation and a 'fix' would be to remove some/all of the brick and be sure some ties were put in for support.

My contact said that is what is the usual fix for such.

Thanks everyone!