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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Default crack of the month

    Older structural brick - not veneer. Can't really see the lateral displacement and bulging so well in the photos. This is the worst I've seen in quite a while. Not sure how to fix, but then that's not my job.

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  2. #2
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    Mar 2007
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    Default Re: crack of the month

    It's already been repaired. See the earthquake rod? That will hold the brick in place (i.e., keep the brick from moving out on this and the opposite face). Earthquake rods installed perpendicular to this one will help keep this crack from widening.

    Actually, while earthquake rods are a big improvement they are not the final solution. I remember seeing earthquake rods on many old brick buildings in Charleston. Not sure how effective they are in a large earthquake but they were probably cutting-edge techology in earthquake-proofing buildings circa 1890.

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    Bruce Breedlove
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  3. #3
    David Banks's Avatar
    David Banks Guest

    Default Re: crack of the month

    Scroll down to Bulging of walls.
    Above-ground masonry walls - Oldhouseweb.com


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
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    3,509

    Default Re: crack of the month

    I think the cause of that crack is quite apparent.........that pen is forcing the wall apart. If you remove the pen, everything should go back to normal .


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Philadelphia PA
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    Default Re: crack of the month

    Nick - You know what they say: the pen is mightier than the ... star anchor?

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: crack of the month

    We never called them "earthquake rods", but installed them to help retain the outer wythe of brick walls on a few older homes. We simply called them tie backs and stars anchors.

    I like the explanation given in the link David provided, but settlement can also cause variations of that bulging.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  7. #7
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    Default Re: crack of the month

    My response was about 90% tongue-in-cheek.

    "Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." Leo Durocher
    Bruce Breedlove
    www.avaloninspection.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: crack of the month

    Quote Originally Posted by Bruce Breedlove View Post
    My response was about 90% tongue-in-cheek.
    In Gainesville, Florida, we had some old brick structures, many had those tie backs and stars installed to retain the brick walls from movement/bulging/etc.

    Thus I did not make the 90% connection.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Lake Barrington, IL
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    Default Re: crack of the month

    Sometimes the anchors work and sometimes they don't.

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    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: crack of the month

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Barker View Post
    Sometimes the anchors work and sometimes they don't.
    Yep. I've seen that too.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Corpus Christi, TX
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    615

    Default Re: crack of the month

    The engineer agreed this crack did not need repairs.

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  12. #12
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: crack of the month

    Yep....don't need repair but sure needs me!


  13. #13
    Jon Randolph's Avatar
    Jon Randolph Guest

    Default Re: crack of the month

    Correct me if I am wrong, but with that wall type, shouldn't there be cross ties every 6 rows?


    By the way, Thom, would advise to cover and hide that crack. Major safety concern.
    "In the news today, an amish waoman and her 6 childred died when the husband (father) veered his carriage into traffic while looking at a road side sign. Man survived, but is said to be going blind."


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