My first thought was that this was likely the result of a lintel failure ? there has been a previous repair and the lintel appears to have been replaced ? and to call for evaluation by a masonry contractor.
On second thought I?m not so sure, for two reasons.
1) If it was a lintel problem, why did the previous repair fail?
2) When I cranked up the contrast, I realized that the damage is quite extensive above and to either side of the window.
As I did not see evidence of exterior foundation damage below the window I?m still inclined to call this as a case for a ?contractor evaluation? rather than an SE, but I though I?d ask what others here think.
Originally Posted By: Jay Moge This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
even if you call out a mason, chances are you’ll end up with the same thing, a bandaide. wood shrinks inside the struture, and masonry to only about 25% of that. plus wood swells and shrinks per seasons and most brick vaniers i see almost always have step cracking at the lintel. recomend repair for water integrity and structural soundness. although what you have is boarder line questionable, it would be a safe call.
Originally Posted By: clawrenson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Quote:
(1) at changes in wall height or thickness (2) at columns, pilasters and wall intersections (3) near corners (4) both sides of openings >6' (5) one side of openings < 6'.
Based on the photo - in this case (4) applies.
Source my course text book - Building Construction Illustrated by Francis Ching
Originally Posted By: lkage This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
clawrenson wrote:
A concrete masonry wall wall is subject to shrinkage and movement due to expansion and contraction with changes in temperature. Typical locations include:
Quote:
(1) at changes in wall height or thickness (2) at columns, pilasters and wall intersections (3) near corners (4) both sides of openings >6' (5) one side of openings < 6'.
Based on the photo - in this case (4) applies.
Source my course text book - Building Construction Illustrated by Francis Ching
Would your control joints run vertically with the outside edges of the window?
-- "I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him."
Galileo Galilei
Originally Posted By: rwand1 This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
By chance would the room on the ground floor with the window be a garage? Or is it a heated room?
The other question that came to mind are there a lot of trees around? Could/ or have the gutters been blocked resulting in overspill from gutters for a period of time?
Hmmm...
-- 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
