Veneer Cracks Link — Brick

Yet, not all cracks are equal. Their character speaks volumes. A hairline vertical crack (less than 1/16 inch) in a new home is almost expected—the inevitable "settling" as the house finds its balance. A stepped crack, following the mortar joints in a staircase pattern, suggests foundation settlement on one side. A horizontal crack, especially at the roofline, is more ominous, hinting at a bulge—often caused by inadequate wall ties or the slow expansion of steel lintels rusting above windows. A crack that widens at the top speaks of foundation heave; at the bottom, of settlement. And then there is the most revealing sign: a crack that has been patched only to reappear, like a scar that refuses to heal. This is the mark of a problem still active, a movement still in progress.

Finding a crack in your home's exterior can be alarming, but when it comes to , the cause is often more cosmetic than structural. Unlike solid masonry, brick veneer is a non-structural "skin" attached to a wood or steel frame with metal ties. Because it is a rigid, brittle material, it cannot stretch and will often crack to relieve stress caused by temperature changes or minor house settling. Common Types of Brick Veneer Cracks brick veneer cracks

Prior to the mid-20th century, brick buildings were load-bearing. The bricks you saw on the outside were the same bricks holding up the roof and floors. They were thick, heavy, and monolithic. Yet, not all cracks are equal

Every brick veneer wall relies on —metal strips embedded in the mortar and screwed into the wooden studs. These ties are the handshake between the structure and the skin. A stepped crack, following the mortar joints in

Brick veneer is a durable, beautiful, and forgiving cladding, but it is not invincible. It requires a relationship with the foundation that supports it and the frame that holds it upright.