Brick Veneer Construction

Brick Veneer Construction

What is brick veneer? It is just as it sounds the brick facade is anchored to the timber frame of the house with metal brick ties. The brick veneer does not support the roof loads as all structural loads are supported by the timber frame. Also there is a 40mm space between the timber frame and the brick walls. This air gap helps stop water from damaging the timber frame and the internal linings.

How is a brick veneer house Constructed?

This is done in three main stages.

Stage one:

This stage is the footings or slab for the floor. The ground and site are prepared and the drainage pipe laid in place. Then the concrete slab is laid down over and around the pipe and waterproof barrier. If the house was to be a timber floor the footing would be laid and then the brick work laid to floor height. Then the timber floor constructed.

Stage two:

The next stage is to construct the main timber frame complete to the roof. The eves, windows and electrical box installed. The interior linings are not fixed until the roof is covered, and internal plumbing and electrical are completed.

Stage three:

The brick veneer can now go ahead and be laid right up to the eves and roof. As the brick work is laid a damp course and weep holes will be added. As the brick work is laid it is essential that the gap between the timber frame and the brick wall is kept clean. Also the weep holes must be kept clean and open. If it rains during construction the water will run down the walls and out of the weep holes until the roof is complete. As the brick veneer is constructed the brick layer will attach metal brick ties to the timber frame at set intervals. These brick ties help keep the brick veneer braced to the timber structural frame.

Problems and tips

One of the main problems to brick veneer is ground movement. Often the footings are not constructed well enough to cope with the movement of the ground. This is seen more and more in times of drought or high rain fall where the ground expands and contracts more than normal. Also because of cost and bad building practice not enough brick ties are put in and if cracks form the wall can become unstable.

Tips:

• For new construction have your brick layer insert filters into the weep holes to exclude pests and vermin.
• Make sure all garden beds allow for an air gap between the brick walls and the garden bed. This stops excessive moisture comings into your home and help stop mould forming in your walls.