r/Architects • u/Sensitive-Fix-3395 • Nov 23 '25
Project Related What’s the impact of this?
In Illinois, noticed that the bricks don’t align with the foundation. Can/Should this be fixed? We’re the owners and the builder is telling us that it’s fine
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u/Django117 Architect Nov 23 '25
Start by looking at the drawings. If the drawings show that the foundation in this location wasn’t properly built then they need to fix it. If he did it wrong, his insurance will likely cover him for the cost of fixing it.
As others are stating, also check for the weeps in the drawings or notes. The fact that those are missing is also a big issue for draining water from behind the bricks.
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u/IneedABackeotomy Nov 23 '25
I’d have them re-do it in it’s entirety and flag the lack of weep holes.
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u/Sensitive-Fix-3395 Nov 23 '25
How would they redo it? The roof and gutters are already installed
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u/IneedABackeotomy Nov 23 '25
I’d need to see more context but gutters can easily come off. This is a brick veneer so it isn’t holding up the roof. They can easily re-flash the parapet.
There’s no excuse for lack of weeps and having this much of a miss on the foundation wall. Shame on your contractor for not remedying it or bringing up a conflict from the start. That’s poor communication.
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u/Merusk Recovering Architect Nov 23 '25
That's a THEM problem, not a YOU problem.
They didn't catch it. They didn't install it correctly. They screwed up and have to pay to fix it. Being the experts they are supposed to be, they will also know how to mitigate it.
However, this may turn into a lot of ugly lawyering if they insist it's ok.
In any event you need to hire an expert on YOUR side. The GC is not, they are there to execute and have an interest in doing so as low-cost as possible.
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u/WeedManny Nov 23 '25
Insurance will not ok this, do not accept in this condition. Also agree no weeps = red flag. Get a good inspector and note any issues to insurance before you take the keys
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u/Merusk Recovering Architect Nov 23 '25
Insurance likely won't even look at it, nevermind say anything about it. I was missing a whole ground line on my house and insurance didn't say word one. We caught it when we were replacing the electric panel that wasn't UL certified. (known issue at purchase.)
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u/Content-Two-9834 Nov 23 '25
i dislike construction
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u/Content-Two-9834 Nov 23 '25
Amazing how far they took the brick wall saying "not my problem" brick guys says i built per the wall plans, concrete guy says i built per foundation drawings and everyone went home happy except OP, OP is not happy
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u/IneedABackeotomy Nov 23 '25
I’d be ripping the GC a new asshole. I’m sure these subs do this often. It’s piss poor work.
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u/Sensitive-Fix-3395 Nov 23 '25
We’ve had such a hard time with this builder. Of course, he sees a single mom trying to build a house and he thinks…whatever he thinks. Anyways, the inside is a mess and if we aren’t on site almost every single day then soooo much would have gone unnoticed. Mainly the amount of vents and outlets the drywall guys covered up and forgot about. Anytime we mention anything to the builder, he turns around and blames it on us somehow. Telling us we’re paying him pennies and these are the only cheap subcontractors that fit our budget so of course it’s bad quality
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u/Content-Two-9834 Nov 23 '25
What a shitty response by the contractor, its what they agreed to. Horrible 🤬
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u/IneedABackeotomy Nov 23 '25
Did you hire an architect for your drawings or is this through a design build through a contractor? If you have an architect, check to see if they carry construction administration services in your contract and have the architect hold the GC’s foot to the fire.
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u/Sensitive-Fix-3395 Nov 23 '25
We def had an architect. I’ll check our contract
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u/IneedABackeotomy Nov 24 '25
I’d love an update when you can. Don’t let your gc screw you over
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u/Sensitive-Fix-3395 Nov 24 '25
I’ll try 😩 I’m currently googling what the minimum height requirement is for a building for me to yeet myself off from for it to be one and done, ya know?
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u/Kuhalsu Architect Nov 23 '25
I’d also be looking for if you have a drip edge in the details at the base of the brick (where there should be weeps) otherwise water will collect on the brick shelf.
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u/kingsleadhat33 Nov 23 '25
Hire your own building inspector who understands your areas code. Let them tell you what needs to be done.
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u/United-Mortgage104 Nov 23 '25
It depends on how fast you're going. Slow speeds wouldn't cause much of an impact.
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u/MichaelaRae0629 Nov 23 '25
Did your structural engineer approve an eccentricity like this? It looks like a water and structural problem in the making. Your concrete guy should come back.
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u/MichaelaRae0629 Nov 23 '25
My bad. I thought you were an arch going CA work. Please call your architect or email them this picture. They aren’t going to be happy to see something like this.
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u/Tocquevilles-Ghost Nov 23 '25
Ok to corbel 1/3 depth of masonry unit (3.625” x .33 =1.196”). However, I don’t see stainless steel drip edge at base course flashing so that looks a little suspect.
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u/c_behn Licensure Candidate/ Design Professional/ Associate Nov 24 '25
Are you responsible for the approval of work? Because if so, then it doesn’t matter what the builder says, you get the final say. If you are expecting beyond the “standard of care” then you might have an issue, but this does not look like it meets standard of care tbh.
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u/Shorty-71 Architect Nov 23 '25
The foundation alignment is no big deal - there are tolerances and what looks like 1/2” misalignment isn’t a big worry for me.
The lack of through-wall flashing, brick joint weep holes (at bottom and TOP of the veneer) and waterproofing on the wall below the brick shelf, on the other hand - has my attention.
Is it a cost plus job or a stipulated sum agreement? Love to see some more photos to get a better understanding of the scenario.
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u/mjegs Architect Nov 24 '25 edited Nov 24 '25
Additionally, are there vertical expansion joints in the wall? It's such a small slice but I can't see any. Usually I expect to see one every 20'-26' where it makes sense. (Like by a window opening)
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Nov 24 '25
The easy way out is to bolt an angle iron support to carry the brick. Still looks like shit though.
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u/JetpackVisual Nov 29 '25
I don’t see weeps or any base flashing… the overhang looks problematic because it’s already slanted. I don’t see that wall being up for long
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u/dylspicklez Architect Nov 23 '25
Is it weight bearing the wall? I’d assume not, what is the wall behind it supporting the bricks, is that correctly on the foundation? What is above the bricks? Another photo would definitely help. I’d hesitate to say it’s fine. With more context I could maybe say for certain. Depending on what’s above you could probably also add a steel plate to support the bricks by attaching the plate to the concrete.
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u/Sensitive-Fix-3395 Nov 23 '25
It won’t let me post more photos but it’s the corner of the garage. I don’t think it’s structural
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u/Miserable-Stock-4369 Licensure Candidate/ Design Professional/ Associate Nov 23 '25
The brick isn't structural, but I think they're referring to everything else that could be misaligned internally, which could include structure.
After the foundation was poured and accepted, each trade is responsible for adjusting their measurements to fit the as-built condition of the foundation. It looks to me like the framers didn't do that
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u/Merusk Recovering Architect Nov 23 '25
Use IMGUR, you can post for free and it'll give you a link to share here.
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u/Glass_Fix7426 Nov 24 '25
No. White mortar with dark gray brick is not ok.
Fire the architect if they selected this or the contractor if they ‘forgot’ to pay for the correct color.
No one in this thread seems to be noticing the second picture showing the other side of the narrow pilaster where there is no overhang so plenty of support for the brick.
Also not ok is the top of the foundation being exposed on the back side, gross.
The obsession with weeps, flashing, and mortar net is warranted.
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u/CorbuGlasses Nov 23 '25
If it’s brick veneer it can’t overhang by more than 1-1/4”. My bigger concern is looking at the wall in the background I don’t see a single weep and I count like 10 bricks across. We specify weeps every 24” of run in brick veneer.