masonry basement walls expansion joints

[mdale]

Are expansion joints required or neccessary?

 

[MotorCity]

mdale,

For work here in the midwest, I have never used an expansion joint on a masonry basement wall. In other parts of the US it may be different. Unless your wall is rather large it may be difficult to justify the use of an expansion joint.

 

[JAE]

Depends on if it is clay or concrete based masonry. Clay will expand and requires expansion joints. Concrete shrinks over time and requires control joints.