Front masonry wall on row houses bulging outwards
Front masonry wall on row houses bulging outwards
(OP)
This is a phenomenon I have noticed repeatedly but never had to deal with. I am about to assume that there is no real solution other than tearing that wall down and building it again. I saw some locations where they have evidently installed tensile elements from inside to control the movement, but it seems more like a way of keeping the problem from becoming worse rather than a solution. Any recommendations from someone who dealt with this before?
Thank you
Thank you


RE: Front masonry wall on row houses bulging outwards
Usually it is a 3 with thick wall on an early 1900's or late 1800's building.
Usually it is due to water intrusion and many, many freeze thaw cycles.
Curious what city you're in.
Very dangerous to take the wall down but then... kinda dangerous to leave it up too.
RE: Front masonry wall on row houses bulging outwards
RE: Front masonry wall on row houses bulging outwards
RE: Front masonry wall on row houses bulging outwards
It was sold as an upgrade to brick exteriors, maybe 1940's +/- (not sure but the seems about right based on the buildings I've seen. Might be earlier though. I have seen it on churches (as a way to make them look more "classical" ) and many row house type structures.
I have been told they are VERY common in Baltimore but I have seen it in many cities Midwest cities. My son moved to Baltimore recently and I have seen several houses there with this condition.
I agree that something is "delaminating" but I would be curious if it is just the "stuck-on" portion or if the outer wythe is coming off with it.
If you get to the bottom of it, I'd be interested to hear what you find.
RE: Front masonry wall on row houses bulging outwards
RE: Front masonry wall on row houses bulging outwards
RE: Front masonry wall on row houses bulging outwards
RE: Front masonry wall on row houses bulging outwards
Looks like the floor framing would be parallel to the front walls so I'm not too sure how well it is anchored.
From what I've seen, early 1900's brick construction using metal anchors for the outer wythe was just getting started and I don't think corrosion protection was very common. Plenty ov masonry was built with header courses still but some was not and I suspect much from this era in Baltimore is in the latter category.
I don't know how well the "solution" of using Permastone really is. Obviously it has lasted a good long while but now may be the "end of the road" for it.
Overall just a risky situation (IMHO).