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Posted by ransley on July 31, 2008, 8:06 pm
> Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> >> Hello, I =A0lurk here occasionally and have read many good tips.
>
> >> About an hour ago, some bricks =A0above the 2nd story windows, prolly =
2-3
> >> feet below the flat roof just fell to the ground!
>
> >> About 100 bricks....(?) of the outside layer. =A0I can see another lay=
er
> >> still intact (so far)
>
> >> I'm quite stunned. =A0Please post any thoughts/ advice. =A0 I'm sure I=
will
> >> learn as I go... but it would be nice to have some tips ahead of time.
>
> >> Thank you in advance, Dmg
>
> > You may need professional advice. =A0Mortar can deteriorate so it is co=
mmon to
> > re-point at some time to avoid what you are seeing. =A0I'd call a mason=
that
> > can tell better than any of us here just what the problem it. =A0Since =
they
> > are below the flat roof you may have water/drainage problems that need
> > checking also.
>
> I'll second that. The fact that he is asking the question here indicates
> that he does not have the skill set to assess the damage or conduct the
> repairs. (Not a slam- no reason for him to ever have learned it.) IMHO,
> most garden-variety new-construction masons could not be counted on to
> have the skills either, since all they have likely ever laid is veneer
> facings. (Maybe an old gray-haired mason...) He needs a building
> restoration contractor that works in old-style brick structures. After a
> 2-year break, they are finally having the 80-year old wing of the office
> I work in done, and this new contractor is doing a MUCH better job than
> the one that did the 100+ year old wing. I'm learning a LOT by
> rubber-necking, and I grew up in the construction business. I'm no
> expert, but I know enough to know what I <don't> know, and when to call
> for a real expert.
>
> But having said all that- I suspect you are right about water
> infiltration, either from the roof, or a failed mortar joint high on the
> wall. Other suspect is ivy, if OP has that on his house. Pretty, but a
> serial killer of brick walls. Step one is a site survey by an engineer,
> either independent or associated with a restoration company. (The good
> ones have enough work that they don't need to scam people.) Pay the
> engineer for his expertise to write up a remediation plan. If it is
> simple, a local mason could maybe do it. If a whole face layer let go, I
> suspect they will need to add anchors to the interior layers to tie it
> all together. It may not have been laid right in the first place- there
> were hacks 100 years ago too, and not much in the way of inspection.
>
> BTW, the entire house should be inspected and prodded. If one spot
> failed, others are likely also having problems.
>
> --
> aem sends...- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Who doesnt see troll all over the place, a 3x9 ft section fell and he
is here asking questions first, I say wake up.
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