5 Tips for Healthy Building Walls
You probably haven’t given much thought to the stability of your building walls. In the spring, we see landscapers and building owners piling dirt and mulch up against building walls. If you want to maintain healthy building walls, you don’t want to be that guy.
Walls are not always as strong as you think!
I blame the 3 Little Pigs for giving the impression that brick walls are strong. Actually, most walls are only designed to hold themselves up and to keep the weather out – that’s it!
Piles of dirt and mulch pushing on building walls create a lateral force. As the pile gets taller, the force becomes greater until it exceeds the structural capacity of the wall. A good example of this was the wall collapse that occurred at Morton Salt in 2014. Salt stored in the building was piled too high and the brick exterior wall collapsed, sending a wave of salt out onto cars parked adjacent to the building.
Moisture is not your wall’s friend!
A less dramatic but perhaps more common problem occurs because of moisture present in the soil or mulch. When piled up against a building above the concrete foundation line, wicking occurs into the wall. Wood walls take on moisture, causing mold and dry rot. Wood is particularly susceptible to this , as repeated wetting and drying cycles weaken its structure. With time and exposure, the wood may be destroyed. Masonry walls also wick moisture, creating an attractive environment for mold growth and structural deterioration.
What can you do to prevent problems with your building’s walls?
5 Tips for Maintaining Healthy Exterior Walls
- Don’t pile soil and mulch against walls.
- Check walls for signs of winter damage from snow or ice or for general deterioration and make repairs promptly.
- Maintain open weep holes in masonry walls to allow moisture to escape. This is one of the most misunderstood concepts so call us if you have questions.
- Maintain flashing to direct moisture out of the walls.
- Ensure the land adjacent to the building slopes away from the exterior walls. Regrade the landform if needed.
Special Tip for Landscaping Walls
Masonry landscaping walls, like those in a garden or next to a ramp, should also have flashing and open weep holes integrated into their construction. Both elements help direct moisture out and away from the walls. If moisture in the wall can’t escape, it will build up and the wall may collapse. Unsightly efflorescence (water-borne salt) may also build up on the wall surface or potentially hazardous mold may develop.
