QOD April 1-06

[Claude Lawrenson]

If cracking occurred along the joints of a brick wall in a generally diagonal direction from a window corner up to the top of the wall, which of the following would most likely be the cause?

[Ted Allen]

The lintle is swelling?

In my oppinion this question is to vage (sp)


However, I love your questions Claude.... Top notch!

[Timothy J. Gardner]

I agree, with todd,

Does the crack go away from the window as it travels up?, or over the window as it travels up?

TG

[Ted Allen]

Originally Posted by tgardner[B

]I agree, with todd,[/b]

Does the crack go away from the window as it travels up?, or over the window as it travels up?

TG

Don't do that on a regular basis!!

[tneumann]

Bottom corner or top corner?

[Jay Moge]

i think we all know what causes this, and the answere we're used to isn't there, but the cause or "technical reason" is. think 2 or 3 steps deeper and you'll get it.

[Claude Lawrenson]

Answer = lack of vertical control joints
Vertical cracking is usually an indication that the brick wall is not able to move laterally, which is a condition caused by lack of vertical expansion joints.

[rstrahan]

While I agree with the answer, the question was different.

Vertical cracks near fenestrations, particularly near the middle of a wall, are often due to extension (absence of control joints would contribute).

The original question said DIAGONAL cracks, which are always a possible indication of foundation flexure.

Russell Strahan in Texas