Thread: Slight bow in wall

Ok gang, this one is from a job earlier this week, tell me what you think about it. Some digging around turned up the cause, but I would like to see what everyone else thinks. The home was built in the mid/late '70s, there is some settling apparent in a couple of areas, mostly minor in nature, and then there was this corner. It's worse than it looks in this pic, siding is bowed out about 1 inch, brick is pulled away from this window about the same amount.

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Alton:

The picture did not make it. repost.

Aaron

OK, finally got back to this. Now see what you think about this one.

Missing brick ties?

Aaron

Could you move that wall when you pushed against it??

When I pushed against the wall there was a definite movement. I didn't want to push very hard after seeing that the trim appeared to be all that was holding the veneer in place.
Alton

Alton:

Depending on the age of the house they either did not put in any or enough brick wall ties, or (if the house is older) the ties may have rusted through. This leaves you with no support for the wall and it will move if pushed.

There are easy ways to repair this:

Simpson Anchor Systems: HELI-TIE ™ Helical Wall Tie

Aaron

Dead on the money Aaron, I was able to access this area of the wall from the attic. The brick ties had indeed rusted through (no apparent water intrusion), leaving no support for the wall. Buyer, seller, and realtor were all happy to be informed of this although I did tell them that this may not be a cheap repair. Didn't know about the heli-ties, I will pass this on to the buyer as it may save him some change on the repair. I suppose that some bracing could be constructed to push the veneer back into place and then the ties could be installed, much better than my suggestion of tearing off this corner to replace the brick ties.
Alton

Didn't know about the heli-ties

Alton:

They are realtively new and work like magic. Saves tearing down walls. Saves looking for the same kind of bricks. Saves trying to match the old mortar.

Puts hundreds of illegal "masons" out of work.

My kind of product,

Aaron

Aaron
Called my client and the masonry contractor about the heli-ties. The mason had never seen them, but had heard of them and is checking on them today. The mason says that if he can get them it will save considerable time and dollars, so this is gettin' better all the time. The seller and his realtor even called saying how impressed they both were that I was going to the trouble of trying to find a solution to this problem, and I did mention that the lead came from another inspector. Thanks again for the lead on these, it's making me look really good to all involved.
Alton

it's making me look really good

Shine on . . .

Aaron

Alton,

I would just let your client know that those need to go into the structure, not just the sheathing. Meaning the mason will need to find and verify the stud locations first before installing them.

Aaron,

Thanks for posting those, I had not heard of them either.

I had not heard of them either.

EJC:

Ohmygod! I'm not hearing this right! Maybe the Hann in the Sky will memorialize this permapost and embellish it with golden sparkles and shooting stars!

I'm speechless . . .

Aaron

Unfortunately they cannot be used to stabilize veneer over conventional framing:

Footnote 11: "For new construction. Anchor one end of tie into backup material. Embed other end into veneer mortar joint. Not for retrofits due to difficulty of locating center of 2x4 or metal stud flange."

Simpson Anchor Systems: Heli-Tie Tension Load tables

Unfortunately they cannot be used to stabilize veneer over conventional framing

Michael:

While that may be true for folks in your area, down here we know how to locate framing.

Hint: It's easier if you dismount that stupid looking Segway first.

Aaron

Michael:

Once you've dismounted the Segway according the manufacturer's instructions (see picture below) you can use your newly acquired IR - Interior Revealer - gizmo to find the framing that the lawyers at StrongTie are so concerned about.

Aaron

Rephublicans:

Yes, that is GW Bush himself in the photos.

What a classy guy,

Aaron

Michael:

BIA seems to think that these are OK:

Installation of Wall Ties and Anchors
In instances where masonry walls have been constructed without a sufficient number of connectors or the existing connectors have failed, “retrofit” anchors may be used to attach the wythes or veneer and transfer lateral loads. Installing anchors in such a wall improves its strength and reduces the potential for cracking. Installation of most
retrofit anchors involves drilling small holes in the masonry, usually in a mortar joint, through which the anchors are attached to the substrate. Generally, mechanical expansion, helical screws, grout- or epoxy-adhesive systems, shown in Figure 3, are used to make the connection. Because the installation methods and limitations of each product are unique, consultation with the manufacturer is essential to assure proper application, detailing, installation, inspection, and performance.

Aaron

Sorry, forgot this:

http://www.brickinfo.org/BIA/technotes/TN46.pdf

Aaron

Does not seem like those things would hold well in metal framing???

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Does not seem like those things would hold well in metal framing???

ECJ:

I would'nt trust them that way either.

Aaron