At today’s inspection, 2017, 2,257 sq ft, 4/3, two-story, I observed the brick veneer of a house cut in half with backer rod and caulk between the two halves. This is a first for me. Has anyone else seen anything like this? It was like this on the other houses in the neighborhood as well. Why would it be installed in this manner? Expansion? Settling/shifting?
Looks like an expansion joint to me. I believe they are required every 20 or 25 feet.
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Agree with Jeff.
That type of joint isolates the wall panels from each other to allow movement (expansion) without cracking the wall.
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They’re expansion joints. You can read about them at BIA under Tech Note 18A located here https://www.gobrick.com/content/userfiles/files/tn18a-Accommodating-Expansion-of-Brickwork.pdf
Your last pic is interesting. Upper, left of the window I have not seen rope wicks for weeping in a real long time.
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Thanks all for the feedback. I learned something new today. Ya’ll are great!
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We used to use cotton rope all the time. Even had one job where we were required to staple it up the wall to about 4’.
Seems like every generation of architect/engineer has to leave their signature.
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On older existing homes I only mention them in the report but not as a particular issue. On new construction (almost all of what I have done for many years now) I would write them up since the Building Codes do not recognize them as proper weeps.
I do like older construction though as it sure beats many new homes today!
Yes. Control joint.
Masonry control joints control vertical separation in a masonry wall designed. Manage cracking caused by shrinkage, thermal expansion, or building movement.