Failing Arches

[Frank Bombardiere]

Do any of you know of a way to repair these failing arches I see all the time, short of tearing it down and rebuilding it?

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[Nick Ostrowski]

Bubble gum and hairpins?

[Rick Hurst]

That light extension cord may be just the trick.

[chris mcintyre]

Do any of you know of a way to repair these failing arches I see all the time, short of tearing it down and rebuilding it?

No, especially with the rowlock on the bottom.

Here is a good document on brick arches: http://www.gobrick.com/BIA/technotes/t31.htm

[Frank Bombardiere]

Thanks Chris, Looks like some good info.

Oh and thanks to the others for their useful remarks too

[H.G. Watson, Sr.]

And here I thought this was going to be about orthodics or arch supports/shoe inserts! Thought someone had to jump too far and had "fallen arches".

This does not appear to be structural brick or structural stone work, but veneer.

Angle iron, in this case curved, and appropriately flashed is almost always necessary at a minimum to support such openings with even hollow veneer brick.

Answer, No. You cannot lick and stick brick, gravity, moisture, expansion, and movement will take over it is only a matter of when, not if.

Although in exterior topic area, looks might be actually interior, judging from drop ceiling panels in background. If exterior, worse yet due to weather exposure and no drainage plane.

[Rick Hurst]

Frank,

Here's another head knocker waiting to happen.

rick

[Joe Cavasin]

isn't the old adage "if it doesn't move and should, use WD40, if it does move and shouldn't, use duct tape."

Seems like a little duct tape would be just the thing for this problem...


Cheers
Joe




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
remember, it's always beer-thirty somewhere.

[Rich Goeken]

And here I thought this was going to be about orthodics or arch supports/shoe inserts! Thought someone had to jump too far and had "fallen arches".

This does not appear to be structural brick or structural stone work, but veneer.

Angle iron, in this case curved, and appropriately flashed is almost always necessary at a minimum to support such openings with even hollow veneer brick.

Answer, No. You cannot lick and stick brick, gravity, moisture, expansion, and movement will take over it is only a matter of when, not if.

Although in exterior topic area, looks might be actually interior, judging from drop ceiling panels in background. If exterior, worse yet due to weather exposure and no drainage plane.

I just have to do it! "Dr. Scholl's® Adjustable Arch Pain Relief" Sorry.

[Randy Mayo]

Frank

Your arch as constructed is considered non-structural and will not be self-supporting. It needs some type of continuous support like a curved steel plate. That brick is an accident waiting to happen. I would suggest removing it and replace with an arch with a continuous support.

[Rick Hurst]

Randy,

Do you happen to have any pictures of how an arch as such should be supported. This type of arch construction is typical here in the Dallas area and I can't say I've ever seen one supported with a steel plate as you mention.

rick

[Nolan Kienitz]

Rick,

Couple of images from a nice support on a custom property I inspected in July.

[Randy Mayo]

Rick

Here is a web site showing the proper steel support ESPINOZA STONE, INC - Texas' Leading Purveyor of Quality Natural Stone Products

[Frank Bombardiere]

I wrote it up to be repaired as needed by a qualified masonry contractor. I am just wondering why they do this all the time around here when about 25% of them are failing when I see them. I inspected a good friends home years ago before I was very familiar with this detail and there was a small crack in the arch. Now it is over an inch wide and he is having to have it rebuilt. Since then, I have always made issue of these arches when I see a crack developing since I now know what is likely to happen over time. I just don't get why the building depts around here and evidently where Rick is, allow them to build them this way. Like Rick, I have not ever seen one with added support.

[Thomas Streicher]

I wrote it up to be repaired as needed by a qualified masonry contractor. I am just wondering why they do this all the time around here when about 25% of them are failing when I see them. I inspected a good friends home years ago before I was very familiar with this detail and there was a small crack in the arch. Now it is over an inch wide and he is having to have it rebuilt. Since then, I have always made issue of these arches when I see a crack developing since I now know what is likely to happen over time. I just don't get why the building depts around here and evidently where Rick is, allow them to build them this way. Like Rick, I have not ever seen one with added support.

Probably a case of they don’t build it like it was drawn up, and then the building inspector missed something. Happens all the time.
Don’t stand under any of that!

[Tom Roon]

The bricks on the arch are not structural and were for aesthetics only. The were not laid at an angle to allow to carry themselves, let alone anything above, but again, they are for "looks' only. The problem seems to be that mortar is not a glue and when it shrinks, it will eventually let loose of the bricks. The mason should have glued the brick in place and tuck pointed with the tan mortar. Now, it's a problem. At least the curved portion will likely have to be removed and relaid.