Cracks in masonry walls can have multiple causes including construction defects or the settling of the foundation. Determining the accurate cause will take some careful investigation.
Figure 1 is a view of an insured's brick wall that started cracking near the base (upper arrow). One of the lower masonry units had fallen out, leaving the gap as indicated by the lower arrow. One may suggest that this is typical settling of the foundation wall, but no such downward deflection was noted in the foundation. There appeared to be a problem with the steel support of the brick veneer.
Figure 2 reviews the concept of the shelf angle support typically used in the construction of residential brick walls. The angle iron is secured to the foundation wall to support the weight of the masonry veneer wall. This transfers the weight of the veneer wall to the foundation, which can support the load without significant deflection when the foundation is designed properly.
Figure 3 is a view of the angle iron at one of the corners of the insured's masonry wall. The angle iron was fastened to the foundation wall at the ends only, with no fastening in the middle of the support.
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