Latest Discussions : Miscellaneous

04:44PM | 07/14/02

Member Since: 07/13/02
2 lifetime posts

Fixing crack in brick over garage

Tags: Miscellaneous

The crowning idiocy of our contractor would have to be the way our over-garage brickwork was done. (you have to forgive my lack of knowlege regarding terminology) Instead of making the layer of brick right over the garage door opening with bricks placed verticly, the bricks were laid in the normal horizontal pattern. now the top of the doorway is sagging about an inch, and there is a crack extending almost up to the roof.

the house is 8 years old and the crack first appeared after a few years, and has grown to its currnt size over the years.

This needs to be fixed, as we are planning to sell the house. Since this needs to be done one way or another, we are considering trying it ourselves, and if we screw up, just calling in the pros.

does anyone know how this would be done? or where to find out?

i was thinking of jucst knocking out all the brick over the door, jacking the top of the doorwy back up and putting all new brickin, the right way. this brick is completely ornamental, so i cant just remove a lower layer.

GlennG

10:34AM | 07/18/02

If the header has sagged over the years there is a problem with the method used to support it. It is normal to lay the brick down as you have described and it should be placed on a heavy enough apiece of angle iron to support it. If the span is great the angle should also have been bolted to the wall in several places to help keep it from sagging. You should remove the bricks and see what is there and either replace the angle with a larger one or add some bolts. Then replace the bricks. If you would like more details on how to do-it-yourself contact me through the "Expert Advice" section of this website under the construction heading.

Glenn Good