“Brick and Insulation” I have two customers that have brick homes. I have sub -contracted spraying insulation (air Crete – lightweight foamed cement) into the stud cavities. My sub-contractor would also like to fill the cavity between the brick and the exterior framing (celotex and tar paper). My understanding is that the cavity between the brick and exterior sheathing serves two purposes: it allows the bricklayer to lay his brick plumb (framing inaccuracies) and it also allows any moisture or water to exit the cavity. Is it appropriate to fill this cavity? Thanks for the help.<!—-> <!—-><!—->
Randy Cox – Erie, PA
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This space is there as brick veneer is poor at keeping water from moving inward through small shrinkage cracks that form as the mortar dries. It is known as a rainscreen drainage space. The missing mortar you should see between every third brick or so in the bottom course of brick is for water drainage. This space is now required behind siding in some building codes.