Anchoring Existing Brick Veneer to Wood Stud Backing

[jdgengineer]

We are working on a project that will consist of anchoring existing brick veneer back to the wood stud backing. The interior of the wall is finished with decorative historic finishes and it would be preferred to avoid removing it. I see that there are several helical veneer anchors that may be installed from the outside into the supporting backing. How are these typically installed? Is there a way to determine the location of the studs to make sure that you are anchoring into them properly? The only way I can think of would be to try and determine their spacing from the inside and find a common point of reference (say door or window) and then use that to mark them on the outside of the wall. This appears prone to error. Is there a better way, or do you need to remove the interior finish to install blocking that the veneer anchors can be installed to?

 

[hokie66]

Another way would be to remove and reinstate the brick veneer. I don't like the chances of being able to hit the studs.

 

[Ron]

I agree with hokie66. In addition, the waterproofing of the cavity (a significant consideration!!) is compromised by any mechanical anchorage method performed from the exterior.

 

[jdgengineer]

Thanks for your input guys. I'll review the waterproofing with the architect to see if there is a potential solution with a mechanical anchor. Obviously, I don't want to compromise the waterproofing. But cost is a significant consideration in the retrofit. If there is a way to reliably install the anchors from the outside without compromising waterproofing it would be significantly less expensive. This is a building built in 1910 so removing the veneer may not be viable due to historic concerns.

Waterproofing aside, I talked with the Helixfix guys and they believed that a Drill Spotter could be used to precisely locate the studs from the outside. (

http://www.firsteditionproducts.com/drillspotter.html).

You locate the studs from the inside with a transmitter which then sends out a signal to another receiver that is aligned on the outside of the wall. Anyone have experience using a similar type of product?

 

[Ingenuity]

jdengineer,

I have used the HILTI PX10 Transpointer, which appears to have identical functions to the "DrillSpotter".

But, I think if I you re-read the DrillSpotter specs it will NOT locate the studs, it simply enables you to determine the exact location of the transmitter centerline to the receiver centerline, and the distance between them (i.e. thickness of the medium you are transmitting).

I have owned the Hilti transpointer for many years and it is a highly accurate and indispensable tool. My main use is through reinforced concrete floors and walls.

You are still going to have to find a method to non-destructively locate the wood studs, then determine the stud width, then locate the stud centerline, then use the transpointer to align the interior centerline with the exterior centerline, then drill a somewhat precisely aligned hole from the exterior to hit the stud. Big ask, in my opinion.

I don't think GPR scanning will detect the wood studs.

 

[dicksewerrat]

1910 building may not be well insulated. Call the guys that do energy/heat loss audits.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com