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There are a number of hairline cracks in the block foundation that was laid this summer. Will be putting a brick facade on in a few weeks. These cracks seem inevitable given the long runs of block, due to thermal expansion/contraction. Should I caulk these cracks before the brick goes on to keep water out (freezing is a concern)?
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Replies
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Crustacean,,are the cracks in the joints or across the blocks?
Was the wall properly reinvorced with good ol' re-bar?
I don't think CMUs are subject to
expansion/contraction problems under normal conditions unless the blocks are fresh out of the plant and not cured. Anyhow bricks tend to expand and blocks if anything will tend to contract on bigger walls, assuming this is a residential you are talking about. If the crcks are just in the joints they are most likely from mortar drying too fast.Also are the joints tooled?
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There are a number of hairline cracks in the block foundation that was laid this summer. Will be putting a brick facade on in a few weeks. These cracks seem inevitable given the long runs of block, due to thermal expansion/contraction. Should I caulk these cracks before the brick goes on to keep water out (freezing is a concern)?