brick house

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1

Originally Posted By: whellner
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I inspected a brick house here in orlando. This was a new one for me since there are not many brick homes here. Is the outside wall made of all brick? or does it have wood studs with sheathing then the brick? These were full size bricks. help!!!

–
one house at a time

2

Originally Posted By: lkage
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It’s probably a brick veneer. Stud constructed wall with brick on the outside.


Did you notice a header course? Different bonds would have those courses at different locations. For instance, a common bond would have the header course every 6th course. But that's for a solid brick wall.

--
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him."
Galileo Galilei

3

Originally Posted By: phinsperger
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If the bricks are all showing their long side then chances are it is brick veneer. Wood frame, sheathing, air barrier, air gap and then the brick. The wood frame is the structural support. Most common in todays construction.


If every 7th row or so, (I have seen anywhere from every 5 to 10th row) you see only the ends of the bricks then chances are it is a double or even triple brick house. The brick is the structural support. More common in older construction.

Here's a good link to expain it all http://www.carsondunlop.com/Inspectors/brick.htm

--
.


Paul Hinsperger
Hinsperger Inspection Services
Chairman - NACHI Awards Committee
Place your Award Nominations
here !

4

Originally Posted By: gbeaumont
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Hi Will,


It could be either a brick veneer or double wall ( cavity) brick.

Rergards

Gerry

--
Gerry Beaumont
NACHI Education Committee
e-mail : education@nachi.org
NACHI phone 484-429-5466

Inspection Depot Education
gbeaumont@inspectiondepot.com

"Education is a journey, not a destination"

5

Originally Posted By: James D Mosier
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I’d just like to mention that “brick veneer” doesn’t necessarily mean thin bricks. Usually (maybe always?) they are full sized bricks.

–
Jim Mosier

6

Originally Posted By: Jay Moge
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if you don’t see a header course (a row of brick standing up tall or 2 rows layed down with the long way going into the building) and brick arches around windows and doors, it’s 99% sure brick vanier. that’s how i tell and i’v only been wrong once, because the builder made the vanier “look” like the real deal. hope that helps. icon_cool.gif

7

Originally Posted By: Frank Nihei
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Hi Guys…


Hope this isn't stepping on any toes or rules..but there's an excellent video regarding EIFS:

http://www.usinspect.com/EIFSVideo/EIFsMain.asp

Frank

8

Originally Posted By: rwand1
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Brick veneer almost always will have weep holes at the base of the brick course and weep holes above door and window lintels.

–
Raymond Wand


Alton, ON


The value of experience is not in seeing much,


but in seeing wisely. - Sir William Osler 1905


NACHI Member


Registered Home Inspector (OAHI)


http://www.raymondwand.ca

9

Originally Posted By: phinsperger
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Frank,


Nice video. I also downloaded the one on septics. Although dye test make me cringe ![aiwebs_029.gif](upload://tNpCbl48ZXBnsDDqeJMAwzFMJz.gif) at least they seem to openly admit the limitations of dye testing

--
.


Paul Hinsperger
Hinsperger Inspection Services
Chairman - NACHI Awards Committee
Place your Award Nominations
here !

10

Originally Posted By: Frank Nihei
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How strange. I posted the above reply to an EIFS topic and now it’s under this brick veneer topic.(???)

11

Originally Posted By: rmeyers
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Wilfred,


Be careful, this is a major issue, as you don't want to mis-identify the basic structural system of the building.

Using brick patterns alone, to identify solid masonry can be mis-leading. Solid masonry bonding patterns are often immitated in veneer systems to get the appearance of older masonry systems.

The wythes or layers of brick in solid systems can be 2 or 3 or more layers thick and may also be backed with clay tile (in older construction) or CMU's in newer applications.

The Carson Dunlop site is a good source of information, but compares brick veneer to the older solid masonry. There are also newer hollow masonry systems that use metal bonding materials, weep & flashing details and improved insulation properties.

Unfortunately, the presence or absence of weep holes are also not a definitive indicator of veneer vs. solid since both newer systems, if properly done, should have similar details. Weeps in both systems are often lacking or too low and obscured by landscaping and grading.

Things to look for in full masonry wall construction:
Absence of stud wall framing
Furring strips instead of stud wall
Electrical in conduit
Probe around electrical box for clues (wall thickness) carefully!!
Exterior brick detailing as mentioned in earlier posts
Window and exterior door jamb details
Older plaster over solid backing (solid when tapped on - not hollow)
Older plaster - staining / efflourescence due to moisture penetration
Interior structural walls may be solid masonry
Look for any exposed floor or ceiling connection details (attic & bsmt)
Exposed gable walls in attic may be clay tile, CMU's or brick
Typically higher heating costs due to lower energy efficiency
Examine any wall penetrations that may offer clues - gas, elec, vents

I'm sure there are other tips that may also be of use in confrming the systems, but these are some that come to mind.

Good luck on your future inspections Wilfred. The more you do, the easier it gets. This is generally a good site for helpful HI information interspersed with a generous amount of entertaining BS. The challenge is sorting it all out!! ![icon_lol.gif](upload://zEgbBCXRskkCTwEux7Bi20ZySza.gif)

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

Russ Meyers