Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Brickwork Defect: Misaligned Mortar Joints - Advice Need 3Dec 26, 2013 7:12 am The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Brickwork Defect: Misaligned Mortar Joints - Advice Need 4Dec 26, 2013 10:06 am Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Brickwork Defect: Misaligned Mortar Joints - Advice Need 7Dec 27, 2013 4:12 pm Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Brickwork Defect: Misaligned Mortar Joints - Advice Need 11Dec 27, 2013 10:10 pm Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Brickwork Defect: Misaligned Mortar Joints - Advice Need 13Dec 28, 2013 9:23 am Anthelas, A building inspector will be able to tell you if the brickwork is acceptable. They will quote the appropriate standard and there will be no ifs or buts about it. I'm not a fan of render since it can crack and is a maintenance issue since it needs repaint every 15 years or so. If you have a two storey hose, you'll need scaffolding etc and that can get expensive. For the first picture, why not just render the 1.3 metre wide wall and make it a feature wall (find a nice paint colour to enhance it). Not sure if the windows will allow render as the frame is very thin. You will need to allow at least 10 mm for render. For the second picture, the defects are high up and less likely to be a concern. If the building inspector says it is a defect I would expect the builder to provide compensation equal to the likely amount that the defect reduces the sale of the property. Something like $1,000. However, you want to keep in your builder's good books. I would say to the builder, "as long as there are no more defects, I'd let it go". This is good on two fronts. Firstly, it keeps the builder happier and secondly it means he'll put extra effort into making everything else good since then he won't have to pay compensation for the defect. Cheers, Casa Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Brickwork Defect: Misaligned Mortar Joints - Advice Need 14Dec 28, 2013 10:39 am Reading this thread inspired me to "inspect" our walls for the first time in the 18 months we have been in. Yep you guessed it, somewhere on each wall there is a misalignment. First time I've noticed and probably the last I suspect.... nobody is going to get off a galloping horse to look at it. I think one can worry about too many things in life, and I certainly won't be losing any sleep tonight, or worrying about resale in 10+ years. Re: Brickwork Defect: Misaligned Mortar Joints - Advice Need 16Dec 28, 2013 11:13 am Look very similar Casa2...the only difference in my favour I think, is our bricks are a lot lighter in colour and are closer to our mortar colour than Anthelas. Re: Brickwork Defect: Misaligned Mortar Joints - Advice Need 17Dec 28, 2013 1:42 pm Just getting back to square one The difference between common brick wall and face brick wall is the appearance. Therefore the most important part of face brick wall functionality is the appearance (durability and structural adequacy are given) You pay more for face bricks and more for skilled labour to lay face brick wall. Why should you not get good brickwork? It is not too much to expect skilled bricklayer to know haw to set out bricks and to care about the work. It is not too much to expect builder to have a quality system in place that will monitor workmanship at pre determined stages and correct if required before bad workmanship gets out of hand. Builders and tradies that get away with poor workmanship will just keep doing it. I agree with Casa2 that render has significant maintenance issues which will hit your pocket further down the line Whilst I agree that it is important to have good working relationship with the builder I don't agree with appeasement because that will just give signal that you are soft. That's just my opinion Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Brickwork Defect: Misaligned Mortar Joints - Advice Need 18Jan 08, 2014 8:31 pm building-expert Just getting back to square one The difference between common brick wall and face brick wall is the appearance. Therefore the most important part of face brick wall functionality is the appearance (durability and structural adequacy are given) You pay more for face bricks and more for skilled labour to lay face brick wall. Why should you not get good brickwork? It is not too much to expect skilled bricklayer to know haw to set out bricks and to care about the work. It is not too much to expect builder to have a quality system in place that will monitor workmanship at pre determined stages and correct if required before bad workmanship gets out of hand. Builders and tradies that get away with poor workmanship will just keep doing it. I agree with Casa2 that render has significant maintenance issues which will hit your pocket further down the line Whilst I agree that it is important to have good working relationship with the builder I don't agree with appeasement because that will just give signal that you are soft. That's just my opinion The builder has washed the bricks again and the mortar perpends in some places are not just misaligned but there are many sections throughout the double storey home with mortar perpends wider than 20mm. I've made up my mind that I am not letting this issue go lightly. In fact, thanks building-expert, I've just called your company and organised a building inspection for tomorrow. Thank you for agreeing to come out to have a look so quickly as I need to be prepared for a site meeting with the builder tomorrow afternoon to work out a "solution". Look forward to meeting you on site. Its the flashing and is normal. Some builders cover them up others just leave them handing. You can cover it up with an aluminium bracket or ask the builder. 7 11227 you need to understand the breakdown of warranties. 90 warranty is considered as minor defects rectification period where as the longer ones are more major/structural… 1 5339 Building Standards; Getting It Right! There doesn't look to be any rebate in the slab to prevent water from scooting under the window. AS4654 is the Australian standard to look at/refer to. They have… 1 10148 |