What is this for?

[John Adrian Sopher]

Hey guys I am curious to know what this cut in the wall is for.  I see this on all brick houses that I do around here but never knew what the reasoning was for.  This is always located on both sides of the house at the lower portion of a window.

Thanks in advance.

[David Macy]

John

Seems odd to me. I would call some builders and masons around you and inquire on this particular practice. 

My guess would be for drainage.

Never seen that application around here.  Does it vary on the age of the home?

[John Adrian Sopher]

I don't think I recall seeing them on older homes.  Its a newer practice.  I don't know why they would have it for drainage, most homes have weep holes in them.

[Michael Merino]

That is an expansion joint. It is for any movement that may occur, minimizes cracking. Similar to the expansion joints in sidewalks.

Here is an article, go about half way down the page. http://www.johnbridge.com/brick_veneer.htm

[John Adrian Sopher]

Ahhhhh.... kudos for you masta!!!  (in Asian accent) ~~~~>  I give you 1 karma point.

[Russ McKee]

That is an expansion joint. It is for any movement that may occur, minimizes cracking. Similar to the expansion joints in sidewalks.

Here is an article, go about half way down the page. http://www.johnbridge.com/brick_veneer.htm
quote]

That's right Michael, it's an expansion Joint just like what you would see in a concrete slab, driveway or some times they put them in the stucco around windows vertically and horizontally to absorb stress cracks

[John Adrian Sopher]

Should these expansion joints be filled with something to prevent critter entry?

[Michael Merino]

There should be a flexible sealer injected. It is a caulk like material.

[John Adrian Sopher]

That's what I thought too.  I recommend it be sealed by a qualified professional.

[Michael Merino]

Tell them to chew a lot of gum and mush it into the crack!! Dam I am funny

[Jeff Prince]

You barely ever see that sealed. Just like control joints in cocncrete which should actually be caulked to but you will never see it

[Russ McKee]

You barely ever see that sealed. Just like control joints in cocncrete which should actually be caulked to but you will never see it

That's right, block wall Masons use these same joints, what I mean is the good ones do. It's pretty typical for the professionals.

[Bob Elliott]

Just saw this thread .
That expansion joint is in the wrong place.
Should never run up at the corner of a lintel like that.
I know that part of the picture is cut out but one assumes it continues up in a straight line.

Think about what is supporting the brick above the window  and then imagine the lintel going across the joint.
We are talking brick veneer here I am sure.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Just saw this thread .
That expansion joint is in the wrong place.
Should never run up at the corner of a lintel like that.
I know that part of the picture is cut out but one assumes it continues up in a straight line.

Think about what is supporting the brick above the window  and then imagine the lintel going across the joint.
We are talking brick veneer here I am sure.

Its only below the window, not above it.  And yes its brick veneer.