You are here:

Building Homes or Extensions/Facing a Block Wall with Brick

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/18/2009


Question
I'm planning to face an existing 8 course concrete block wall with brick.  How do
I integrate (or tie in) the brick to the wall?  Is the mortar going to be sufficient to
hold the brick to the wall, without some structural tie-in?  Thanks.

Answer

BRICK FACE
Hi Bill, When adding a full sized brick face to a masonry wall one usually keeps a space between the brick and the wall with weep holes at the bottom to allow water intrusion to find a way to get out.  Otherwise you might be creating a sponge like effect and trapping moisture in your wall.  Most masons use wall ties to attach the brick to the masonry.  The wall tie is tapconned  or stub nailed into the masonry at course height and then held into the brick with the course mortar.  The wall ties are installed every 16" horizontally and usually 16-24" vertically in a grid pattern.  The tie is nailed or screwed to the wall and then bent down onto the course or up onto the course or bent into an L and added as you go and bedded with mortar. I also prep the masonry with a good waterproofing mastic prior to installing the brick. I hope this information helps, feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com  

Bruce E. Johnson

Expertise

I can answer any construction related question in regards to carpentry, concrete, drywall, masonry, structural elements of any type of building, residential or commercial. Interior or exterior.

Experience

Custom Commercial and residential buildings. Churches, theaters, schools and auditoriums. Most recently I am working with the Catholic Church on several design build committees. I have a website related to scheduling and project supervision. Although my expertise is more related to multimillion dollar commercial, educational and theatrical projects my generous credentials in residential and remodelling construction make me a viable source of information regarding all forms of building questions.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.