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Let’s Examine the Basic Brick Veneer and Wood Stud Wall System

Let’s make sure everyone understands the structure of a brick veneer/wood stud wall structure. Brick veneer cladding systems demonstrate superior performance in many of the specific areas of concern for property owners. Brick veneer is attractive with high resistance to water penetration and low maintenance. Brick veneer provides a fire rating, reduces exterior noise transmission and resists damage from abrasion and flying debris. 

However, a brick veneer is not expected to keep water out of your exterior walls. Water is expected to penetrate brick but not bypass a well constructed wall with a proper water resistive barrier and a proper gap maintained between the brick veneer cladding and the structural wall. 

This is why Brick Doctor cannot guarantee to keep water out, unless the entire wall is rebuilt and a secure water resistive barrier is added. A cladding protects the water resistive barrier as noted below The quality of the WRB determines whether the wall will shed water reliably.

There are certain construction components here to notice.

1. Notice the water resistive barrier in the schematic on the left. No type of cladding, including brick, is intended to be water resistant. Wall treatments for brick can help, more information here; but not always solve problems with water penetration.  The quality of the WRP determines whether the wall will shed water reliably.
2. Notice the critical air gap and the weeps at just above the wall flashing. Water that penetrates the brick, runs down the back side of the brick, until the penetrating water is diverted to the weeps by the flashing material.
3. The brick is connected to studs with veneer anchors which are often attached with corrosion resistant screws.
4. There is a sheathing material over the studs which provides a backing for the water resistive layer and structural support for the wall. 

Embedded Wall Ties are Used to Secure Brick Veneer to Stud wall.

Anchored brick veneer with wood stud backing typically consists of  3 or 4 in. thick exterior bricks attached to a wood frame and sheathing system with corrosion-resistant metal anchors with a prescribed air space between the veneer and the backing system. 

You will notice there is a water resistive barrier through which the wall tie is anchored. 

Brick Doctor Gets Asked to Solve Problems with bulging brick walls, with Leaning Brick Walls...

 An anchored masonry veneer is attached to and laterally supported by its backing through anchors and supported vertically by the foundation. This is considered an anchored masonry veneer wall system by construction codes.

Brick veneer is not considered a structural element. The design of veneer ignores the brickwork’s resistance to lateral loads and assumes the transfer of natural loading is directly supported by the stud wall and sheathing. Brick veneer with wood stud backing is used in residential as well as commercial applications.

However, brick walls can bulge and start looking out of plumb if anchor ties are poorly done during original construction or with inadequate work specification for reconfiguring a brick wall. 

Long lasting Brick Veneer depends on the quality of the original installation. Kiln fired brick and quality mortar can last a hundred years or more. Unfortunately not all installations are as high quality as we, as home and business owners, would like. Consequently, Brick Doctor stays quite busy in the brick masonry repair business.

And It Should Go without Saying

The proper design, detailing and construction of anchored brick veneer walls ensure that they function as complete systems that perform reliably. Everyone needs to understand that the failure of any part of the system, whether in design or construction, can result in improper performance of the entire system. 

Yet, Brick Doctor finds as much work as we can handle repairing brick and stone masonry. 

Satisfactory performance of brick veneer/wood stud walls is achieved with the following: 

(1) an adequate foundation; 
(2) a sufficiently strong, rigid, well-braced backing system; 
(3) proper attachment of the veneer to the backing system; 
(4) proper detailing; 
(5) the use of proper materials; 
(6) good workmanship in construction; and 
(7) proper maintenance, as required.

Can We Help You with Possible Issues with Brick Veneer?

Over the years, Brick Doctor has done just about everything when it comes to repairing and restoring mortar. We know what we are doing. Let us know if we can help you.

Don’t take our word for it. (Check out our testimonial and reviews). And, even better, ask a neighbor for a recommendation. We have done tens of thousands of projects all over the DFW Metroplex since 1986, including for some of your neighbors.

Have any particular questions or concerns about brick or stone or mortar at your home? We can help.

Brick Doctor is always ready to answer your questions, address your concerns or provide an estimate for repairs designed for the scope of your needs.

We look forward to assisting you. Reach out today. Contact us

972-234-0900
817-540-1800
info@brickdoctor.com

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