QA

How To Install Brick Ties

What is the proper spacing for brick ties?

Most codes specify one tie per 2.67 square feet of wall area, which can be met by nailing ties to each stud and spacing them every 16 inches up the wall. The numbers work with 16- or 24-inch stud spacing.

Are brick ties necessary?

Many national and local building codes require brick ties to be utilized in the construction of any single-layer brick wall. Left unsupported, such walls are vulnerable to damage from weather, earthquakes and settling foundations.

Where should wall ties be placed?

Wall tie spacing and positioning The ties should be evenly distributed over the wall area, in a staggered pattern, except around openings. Change the wall tie pattern around openings such as windows, doors, roof verges, unreturned or unbonded edges and un-tied vertical movement joints.

What are brick ties for?

Wall ties, sometimes called ‘brick ties’, are used in buildings with cavity walls. They are used to join the two leaves of a cavity wall together, allowing the two parts to act as a homogeneous unit. Hidden from view after construction, wall ties play a vital role in ensuring the stability of a building.

At what intervals must wall ties be placed?

Wall ties shall be fixed at not greater that 450mm spacing in height and 600mm horizontal interval. Additional wall ties shall be fixed adjacent to openings and movement and control joints. These shall be at minimum 300mm vertical spacing if within 150mm of such openings or joints.

What are the best anchors for brick?

Types Of Masonry Anchors Double Expansion Shield Anchors are used primarily used in brick and block. Sleeve anchors are fairly simple to use and are primarily used in brick or block. Wedge Anchors are extremely popular and are one of the strongest anchors for hold strength.

What happens when wall ties fail?

The main signs of wall tie failure are: Horizontal cracks in the walls – Wall tie failure can often be identified by the horizontal cracking that results from the expansion caused by the rusting process. Bulging walls – Rusty and expanding wall ties can also cause brickwork to bulge outwards.

How do masonry wall ties work?

How do wall ties work? They provide an internal support by linking two free-standing walls together. The tie design also offers a means of preventing water from transferring to the outside of the wall. This usually comes in the form of a twist at the centre.

What wall ties do I need?

You need two and a half wall ties per square metre of masonry. The maximum horizontal spacing is 900mm and the maximum vertical spacing is 450mm. That’s why cavity wall insulation boards usually have a maximum dimension on the short edge of 450mm. Set each wall tie a minimum of 50mm into both masonry leaves.

What is the difference between Type 2 and Type 4 wall ties?

Type 2 wall ties are more general purpose and a common choice for domestic and commercial builds where type 4 wall ties are not suitable, for example if the building is greater than 10m tall. These ties are suitable for domestic and small commercial properties with a maximum height of 15m.

Can you bend wall ties?

Ties should never be slid into a joint. The bending of installed wall ties should be forbidden at all times as this affects the performance of the tie and weakens the embedment in the inner leaf.

How do you know if wall ties need replacing?

What are the signs of wall tie failure? Cracked brickwork (typically horizontal, or stepped) Bulging brickwork. Rust stained walls. Structural problems on similarly facing elevations of neighbouring buildings of similar age / building type.

Do you need building regulations for wall ties?

You need two and a half wall ties per square metre of masonry. The maximum horizontal spacing is 900mm and the maximum vertical spacing is 450mm. That’s why cavity wall insulation boards usually have a maximum dimension on the short edge of 450mm. Set each wall tie a minimum of 50mm into both masonry leaves.

How do you isolate wall ties?

Isolating Original Cavity Wall Ties You can do this by fitting clan sleeves around the external end of the cavity wall tie, which will effectively isolate it. If the ties continue to corrode they can force the brickwork further apart, causing more damage. In some instances it may be necessary to remove them altogether.

Where do you typically place the ties in a masonry column?

TMS 402 code requires ties to be a minimum of 1-1/2” into the brick from the backup but no more than 5/8” from the outside wall. The tie inserts into the barrel screw 1/4” out from the backup.

Can you screw directly into brick?

The traditional way of fixing to masonry is to use screws, but you cannot screw directly into a brick wall, a block wall, or stone, so you need to drill a hole, and then provide a material that can be screwed into, but will also hold the screw firmly in place.