Cracks in the mortar and/or bricks

Causes

No control joints incorporated in wall

Differential settlement of the building caused by swelling/shrinking of clay soils and inadequate foundations and indicated by cracking through the mortar stepped across the face of the wall

Building subjected to vibration movement such as earthquake, high wind

Listed under: Exterior, masonry, brick, earthquakes, cladding, foundation walls, walls, wind, mortar, wall cladding, solid brick

Cause

No control joints incorporated in wall

Repair

  • monitor crack width for one month
    • if cracking increases, consult a chartered professional engineer
    • if it remains the same, scrape out and seal existing cracks

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Cause

Differential settlement of the building caused by swelling/shrinking of clay soils and inadequate foundations and indicated by cracking through the mortar stepped across the face of the wall

Repair

  • monitor crack width for one month
    • if cracking increases, consult a chartered professional engineer
    • if it remains the same, scrape out and seal existing cracks

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Cause

Building subjected to vibration movement such as earthquake, high wind

Repair

  • obtain specific advice from a chartered professional engineer on the strengthening options available for a solid brick wall system. These are at a high risk of damage in moderate to severe earthquakes.

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