Bricks are the popular building material for exterior walls because they’re strong and weather-resistant. Unfortunately, a leaning exterior brick wall can be an eyesore and cause damage to your home over time. Fortunately, it’s a problem that can easily be fixed with simple steps. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of how to fix a leaning exterior brick wall. Keep reading for more information.
Summary: Repairing a leaning exterior brick wall requires a few steps. First, adjust the footing and add support to the foundation. Then, use wall anchors, helical piers and foundation plates for additional stability. Follow up by using soil nails, shotcrete, cables or struts as necessary, and replacing any damaged bricks. Finally, finish with a layer of masonry for a strong, secure wall.
What Causes a Leaning Exterior Brick Wall?
There are a few things that can cause a leaning exterior brick wall. The most common causes are:
Soil Erosion
Over time, the soil around your home can erode away, leaving the foundation unsupported. This can cause the brick wall to lean or even collapse. Soil erosion is often caused by heavy rains or flooding.
Poorly Compacted Soil
If the soil around your home isn’t properly compacted, it can settle and cause the foundation to shift. This can also lead to a leaning brick wall. Poorly compacted soil is often the result of inadequate or improper backfill when the home was originally built.
Tree Roots
Tree roots are a common cause of foundation problems. If there are trees close to your home, their roots can grow under the foundation and cause it to settle. This can lead to a leaning brick wall as well. If you have trees close to your home, check the roots regularly to ensure they’re not causing any damage.
Foundation Problems
If there are problems with your home’s foundation, it can cause the brick wall to lean. Common foundation problems include cracks, settling, and poor drainage. If you suspect there may be a problem with the foundation, it’s important to have it checked by a professional as soon as possible.
Why Is It Important to Fix a Leaning Exterior Brick Wall?
There are a few reasons why it’s important to fix a leaning exterior brick wall. First, it can be an eyesore. A leaning brick wall is often the first thing people notice when they look at your home. Second, a leaning brick wall can cause damage to your home over time. If the wall is leaning too far, it can put stress on the rest of the structure and cause cracks or even collapse.
Third, a leaning brick wall can be a safety hazard. If the wall is leaning too far, it could fall and injure someone. The other reason why it’s important to fix a leaning exterior brick wall is to prevent further damage. If the wall is left unrepaired, the problem will only get worse over time. So, if you have a leaning exterior brick wall, it’s important to take action and fix it as soon as possible.
10 Ways How to Fix a Leaning Exterior Brick Wall:
1. Adjust the Footing.
If the brick wall is leaning due to settling or poor drainage, you may be able to fix it by adjusting the footing. The footing is the part of the foundation that sits on the ground. You can level out the foundation by raising the footing and stopping the wall from leaning. To do this, you’ll need to dig around the perimeter of the foundation and insert shims underneath the footing. Once the footing is level, you can fill in the area around it with gravel and compact it. This will help to support the footing and prevent it from settling in the future.
2. Add Support to the Foundation.
If the brick wall is leaning due to foundation problems, you may need to add support to the foundation. This can be done by installing helical piers or steel I-beams. Helical piers are driven into the ground and used to support the foundation. They can be placed underneath the foundation or along the home’s perimeter. Steel I-beams can also be used to support the foundation. They’re placed underneath the foundation and attached to the perimeter walls. This will help to prevent the foundation from shifting and the brick wall from leaning.
3. Use Wall Anchors.
If the brick wall is leaning due to poor drainage or settling, you may be able to fix it with wall anchors. Wall anchors are devices that are driven into the ground and used to support the foundation. They’re placed along the home’s perimeter and attached to the foundation. To use wall anchors, you’ll need to dig around the home’s perimeter and insert the anchors into the ground. Once they’re in place, you can tighten them to support the foundation and stop the wall from leaning.
4. Install Helical Piers.
If the brick wall is leaning due to foundation problems, you may need to install helical piers. Helical piers are devices that are driven into the ground to provide support for a structure. The piers are installed at intervals along the length of the wall, and they are connected to the wall with brackets. The piers are then tightened until they are securely in place. This method can be used to stabilize a brick wall that is leaning due to foundation problems.
5. Use a Foundation Plate.
If the brick wall is leaning due to poor drainage or settling, you may be able to fix it with a foundation plate. A foundation plate is a device that is placed on the ground and used to support the foundation. The plate is placed underneath the footing and connected to the wall with brackets. The plate is then tightened until it is securely in place. This will help to support the footing and prevent the wall from leaning.
6. Use Soil Nails.
If the brick wall is leaning due to poor drainage or settling, you may be able to fix it with soil nails. Soil nails are devices that are driven into the ground and used to support the foundation. They’re placed along the home’s perimeter and attached to the foundation. To use soil nails, first, you’ll need to excavate around the home’s perimeter. Then, you’ll need to drill holes into the foundation and insert the soil nails. Finally, you’ll need to backfill the excavation and compact the soil.
7. Use Shotcrete.
If the brick wall is leaning due to poor drainage or settling, you may be able to fix it with shotcrete. Shotcrete is a type of concrete that is sprayed onto a surface. It’s used to create a foundation or support a structure. To use shotcrete, first, you’ll need to excavate around the base of the wall. Then, you’ll wet the ground and apply the shotcrete. The shotcrete will harden and support the wall.
8. Install Cables or Struts.
If the brick wall is leaning due to foundation problems, you may need to install cables or struts. Cables or struts are devices that are used to support the foundation. They’re placed along the home’s perimeter and attached to the foundation. To use cables or struts, first, dig a trench around the perimeter of the foundation. Next, place the cables or struts in the trench. Finally, attach them to the foundation.
9. Replace Damaged Bricks.
If the brick wall is leaning due to damaged bricks, you’ll need to replace them. To replace a brick, remove the mortar around it with a chisel and hammer. Next, use a cold chisel and hammer to remove the brick from the wall. Finally, clean out the mortar joints and install a new brick.
10. Add a Layer of Masonry.
If the brick wall is leaning due to poor drainage or settling, you may be able to fix it by adding a layer of masonry. Masonry is a type of concrete that can be used to reinforce walls. It is available at most hardware stores. To add a layer of masonry, start by wetting the brick wall with a hose. Then, mix the masonry according to the manufacturer’s instructions and spread it over the wall with a trowel. Finally, smooth it out and let it dry.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Leaning Exterior Brick Wall?
Fixing a leaning exterior brick wall ranges from about $200 to $4,000. The cost of fixing a leaning exterior brick wall will vary depending on the problem’s cause and the damage’s severity. For example, if the wall is leaning due to poor drainage, you may be able to fix it yourself with some simple repairs. However, if the wall is leaning due to foundation problems, you’ll need to hire a professional to make the repairs. Hiring a professional to fix a leaning brick wall can range from $500 to $5,000.
Conclusion
This article has covered how to fix a leaning exterior brick wall. So, if you have a leaning exterior brick wall that you would like to fix, don’t worry! It is a relatively easy process that most people can do. All you need is a little bit of time, some basic tools and supplies, and the willingness to get your hands dirty. We hope this article was helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them with us in the comments section below. Thanks for reading!
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