crack of the month

**John Arnold** · 05-31-2007, 10:37 AM

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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**Bruce Breedlove** · 05-31-2007, 11:10 AM

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.

David Banks · 05-31-2007, 11:39 AM

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

**Nick Ostrowski** · 05-31-2007, 11:50 AM

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

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**John Arnold** · 05-31-2007, 12:20 PM

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

**Jerry Peck** · 05-31-2007, 12:27 PM

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.

**Bruce Breedlove** · 05-31-2007, 01:15 PM

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

**Jerry Peck** · 05-31-2007, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Bruce Breedlove

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.

**Eric Barker** · 05-31-2007, 06:34 PM

Sometimes the anchors work and sometimes they don't.

**Jerry Peck** · 05-31-2007, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Eric Barker

Sometimes the anchors work and sometimes they don't.

Yep. I've seen that too.

**Thom Walker** · 05-31-2007, 08:23 PM

The engineer agreed this crack did not need repairs.

James Duffin · 05-31-2007, 08:28 PM

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

Jon Randolph · 06-01-2007, 05:42 PM

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."