vertical crack in newly installed brick veneer for new built house (Toronto area) 1

[lubos1984]

Good Morning Everyone,

I have been requested to look at a newly built house that has recently had a brick veneer installed. The Builder contacted me to review a continuous vertical crack as you can see from the pictures.
I was wondering what your thoughts are in the cause of this crack (thermal variations, shrinkage or foundation settlement. What would be the best course of action to determine the cause of crack.
I have attached pics for reference.
Thank you all once again for your help and time, it is always appreciated.

 

[phamENG]

Exactly where I'd expect it to happen. Look into control joints in masonry veneer.

 

[lubos1984]

 

[dik]

That's where it should occur, if it does, and inline with that type of mortar joint. There maybe should have been a vertical joint at the line of the windows. Don't know the reason for it... could be shrinkage, could be foundation settlement. Crack doesn't appear to be wider at top or bottom. Also appears to have concrete 'bricks'. Unlike clay bricks which usually swell a bit, these shrink. Need more info to determine the cause.

-----*****-----
So strange to see the singularity approaching while the entire planet is rapidly turning into a hellscape. -John Coates

-Dik

 

[jayrod12]

It definitely looks like a shrinkage type crack. There is a reason that the masonry texts all indicate control joints at maximum spacings. I would've expected to see one at the window as well. So I'm not surprised that the veneer itself inserted a control joint.

In terms of remedies, remove the offending blocks and reinstall with a proper control joint there. I wouldn't expect a problem to reappear after that.

 

[Aesur]

I agree with the other responses here. Aren't there also requirements for how tall "real veneer" can be stacked before needing horizontal shelf angles and joints?

If I were the owner, I would have them fixing the waviness of the veneer in various locations (maybe it's just the lighting in the picture) but also fixing the mortar joint pattern to the left of the lower window, so I suspect they will have an opportunity to install proper joints.

 

[phamENG]

Aren't there also requirements for how tall "real veneer" can be stacked before needing horizontal shelf angles and joints?

30ft plus an allowance for gable ends, I believe. That's American codes, anyway.

 

[XR250]

CJ might look weird as the windows don't align - good job Arch. In my market, CJ's are rare in residential construction.

@AESUR, I believe the limit is 35 ft. Honestly, I can't imagine shelf angles actually doing much in wood construction long term due to all sorts of creep, slip, shrinkage, deflection, rolling etc. I have been fortunate to have never had to design one.

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Looks like temp / shrinkage to me. I'm no expert on veneer. It's just so perfectly vertical at the location where shrinkage would be expected.

Who was responsible for specifying the veneer material and details? Is this the architect or engineer. I wonder if the product used for the veneer is a "cheapo" product that replaced a preferred product as a contractor request to save money.

 

[SWComposites]

looks like they forgot to install the fireplace vent; or are they just going to core a hole thru the brick wall now??

 

[structSU10]

To add to some of the comments - if you establish a new joint there the lintel may get overloaded. It may have been sized for arching action and you lose some or all of that once you have a joint at the edge of the opening.

 

[JoshPlumSE]

To add to some of the comments - if you establish a new joint there the lintel may get overloaded. It may have been sized for arching action and you lose some or all of that once you have a joint at the edge of the opening.

Doesn't that only apply to structural masonry walls? Not to veneer? I think the structural support for this wall is probably wood studs.... Though, to be fair, I can't tell for sure from the drawings / pictures.

 

[jayrod12]

My bet, and this is based on how residential designs are done where I am, engineer's are only required to seal the foundation in many cases. And they've gotten really good at putting their blinders on when reviewing drawings in order to ignore all of this garbage type detailing.

I'd bet no actual numbers were ran on the loose angle lintels. those would likely be a straight out of the part 9 section span tables. Backup wall will 99.5% be load bearing wood stud walls. The steel angle over the windows will only need to support the self weight of the veneer itself. So any L3 1/2x3 1/2 will likely do for an average window size.

 

[masonrygeek]

JoshPlum - arching action can also occur within a brick veneer wall. It all depends on a running bond pattern that pushes the loads to the ends/jambs. The design of loose steel lintel in a brick veneer often assumes this.

 

[JLNJ]

God puts the control joints in where we forget to.

 

[Tomfh]

What’s behind the brick? The drawings refer to a “shear wall”. Is the brickwork tied to anything that would significantly restrain it?