Replies

1. 
   SteveInCleveland | Oct 08, 2004 06:21am | #1

   Any more specifics?  Could you post a photo of the existing conditions?  Is there a door or window there now?  Regardless, you'll need a header and/or lintel to support the loads.

   "Those who are citizens of God's kingdom are best equipped to be citizens of the kingdom of man"  -- St. Augustine
1. 
   PeterHC | Oct 10, 2004 11:55pm | #3

   I'm afraid there are not many more details. There are no openings in this wall now. The gable ends of the wall are in the attic are not plastered on the inside and they show a clay brick 8"x12" . I believe these are approx. 2" thick with other courses be hind but I'm not sure.

2. 
   gordsco | Oct 08, 2004 07:40am | #2

   Smashing or jackhammering can vibrate the heck out of a brick wall and weaken the mortar. You are better off having the sides and top of the hole cut through the brick by a concrete sawing company. Then you gently tap out the top course of brick and quickly install an angle iron ( I would say min 3"X5" for a one story wall) to support the brick before removing the rest of the opening. You will need the interior opening completed before you attempt this as the angle iron lintel should be installed from the inside. The angle iron should be at least 6" or 7" longer than the opening  to provide a good seat on each side. The saw company can cut some slots for the angle to sit in or the lintel can be supprted by jacks so the angle can be mortared in place.

   Keep in mind the wet sawing is extremely messy so seal up the interior opening with tarps to avoid any overspray. 

   The stucco makes your job alot easier because you can cover the cut brick edges with the same.

1. 
   PeterHC | Oct 11, 2004 12:02am | #4

   Saw sounds like a great idea thank you.I thought I might install two angle irons one on the inside and the other on the outside of  the wall. Likely over cut the wall as well and install some kind of column.

1. 
   gordsco | Oct 11, 2004 07:01am | #5

   If there is more than one course of brick, your hole becomes more complicated. Occasionally, interior courses are slapped together and are less structually sound. Interior courses do not have an opportunity to dry completely after wet weather, so the mortar eventually weakens.

   I have never had a single course wall fail on me during the procedure I previously described but I have had  failure in mutiple course walls, where the brick came crashing down before the lintel could be installed. Quite a mess, and in one instance, lucky I wasn't crushed.

   In instances of multiple courses, it may be preferrable to cut the brick to the top of wall above the opening and remove all of the brick. The opening can be framed in with wood.

1. 
   PeterHC | Oct 15, 2004 03:12am | #6

   Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately it is a 2-1/2 storey house and the hole is on the main floor so removing all the bricks is probably not possible.