Masonry Magazine June 1980 Page. 23
caulking compounds or sealants. Compressible backer rope materials are recommended for joints deeper than ¾ in. (19 mm), or wider than ⅜ in. (10 mm).
Protection of Masonry
Prior to and during construction, all materials should be stored off the ground to prevent contamination by mud, dust, or other materials likely to cause stains or defects. The materials should also be covered for protection against the elements.
Partially completed masonry walls exposed to the rain may become so saturated with water that they may require months, after the completion of the building, to dry out. This prolonged saturation may cause efflorescence. See Technical Notes 23 for more information.
To prevent saturation, it is recommended that all walls be protected by covering them at the end of each workday and for shutdown periods. The cover should be a strong, securely attached, weather-resistant membrane overhanging the brickwork by at least 24 in. (600 mm).
WORKMANSHIP
Good workmanship is as essential in constructing brick veneer as it is in all types of brick masonry construction. All joints intended to receive mortar should be completely filled. Joints or spaces not intended to receive mortar should be kept clean and free of droppings.
The joints should be tooled with a jointer as soon as the mortar has become thumbprint hard; this firmly compacts the mortar against the edges of the adjoining brick. The types of joints recommended for use with brick veneer are Concave, V, and Grapevine. Other joints are not recommended because they do not provide the necessary resistance to moisture penetration. See Technical Notes 21C for further information.
It is essential, when constructing brick veneer, to keep the 1-in. (25 mm) space between the veneer and the backup clean and free of all mortar droppings, so that the wall assembly will perform as a drainage wall. If mortar blocks the air space, it may provide a bridge for water to travel to the interior. In addition, all flashing, weepholes, ties and other accessories must be properly installed, and kept clean.
SUMMARY
This Technical Notes is the first in a series devoted to brick veneer construction. It is concerned primarily with the empirical design and conventional applications of brick veneer in new residential and low-rise commercial construction. Other Technical Notes in this series consider brick veneer applied to existing structures and brick veneer for high-rise buildings.
The information and suggestions contained in this Technical Notes are based on the available data and experience of the technical staff of the Brick Institute of America. This information should be recognized as recommendations and suggestions which, if followed with good judgment, will result in brick veneer walls that perform successfully. Final decisions on the use of details and materials as discussed are not within the purview of the Brick Institute of America, and must rest with the project designer, or owner, or both.