ᐅ Exterior walls built with a deviation of approximately 4 cm from vertical alignment

Hello forum community,
we are currently quite unsettled regarding our construction. Our shell builder has constructed an exterior wall with a slope of about 4cm (1.6 inches) from bottom to top. According to the site manager, this should not affect the structural integrity, but now the plasterer has to compensate for this error at the shell builder's expense. Since we are not experts, our question is whether this is actually acceptable and how the plasterer would correct this issue. Obviously, it means applying more plaster, but does the plasterer need to use any additional materials or tools to compensate?

Sparstrumpf schrieb:
Our structural mason built an exterior wall with about a 4cm (1.6 inch) slope (from bottom to top).

The bricklayer has what is called a plumb line and should have used it.

Sparstrumpf schrieb:
Now the plasterer has to make up for this mess.

That’s unrealistic, because it means adding 4 cm (1.6 inch) more plaster thickness (for example, 6 cm (2.4 inch) instead of 2 cm (0.8 inch)). Plaster is not meant to be a leveling compound!

Sparstrumpf schrieb:
According to the site manager, this would probably be no problem (structurally).

Unfortunately, it is not allowed to push a site manager into the ground without warning, but structurally it would be no problem.

Leaving this mess as is would still be structurally “acceptable” (the center of gravity plumb line still falls within the base area—just Google the Leaning Tower of Pisa).

But: “nip it in the bud!”—this mess needs to be torn down and rebuilt, this time using a plumb line and done by a trained bricklayer. It was done by either a clueless apprentice or someone who wasn’t fully competent. With a plumb line, you can (and should) regularly check whether you are still building straight.

I’m not able to assess the legal situation here, and I’m not in the mood to look up specific building tolerances right now. But I definitely wouldn’t want to build the “rest of the house” on such sloppy work.

Trying to fix this with plaster is unrealistic at this extent. Adding plaster would be the solution if you noticed about 0.5 cm (0.2 inch) deviation after only a short way—like one-eighth of the height. But building up the whole story before checking plumb is a clear sign that it was done by someone either unprofessional or not fully mentally present (I don’t want to get into sobriety here, but “unrealistic” fits perfectly).

Sparstrumpf schrieb:
And how does the plasterer fix this? Obviously with more plaster, but does he need to use additional materials or aids?

He would have to reinforce the plaster layer, but as I said: I clearly prefer the radical solution. 4 cm (1.6 inch)? I just laugh...

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I don’t see any problem either: a floor can be built in one day – even with straight walls... so you barely lose any time -> new!!!

However, I also have no issue with putting some pressure on the site manager.

Tip: a visit during the masonry work might explain the reason for the disaster.

Regards, Yvonne

ypg schrieb:
Tip: A visit during the masonry work might explain the reason for the disaster

Whether a plumb line is used can be seen, yes. But you can’t tell a mason apart by a fraction of a percent more or less.

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https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

11ant schrieb:
Whether a lot is used can be seen, yes. But a per mille more or less is not visible on a bricklayer.

Do I look stupid?
There are other indicators—you have to look carefully, and not into the bricklayer’s blue eyes. The original poster will probably be aware of that too.

Regards, Yvonne

4cm (1.6 inches) is not only unsafe but actually highly concerning!