ᐅ Are large vertical joints in the structural shell still acceptable, or do they count as defects?

Created on: 14 Dec 2020 11:59
K
Kishihmen
Hello everyone,

In our house construction project managed by a general contractor, the masonry subcontractor was changed. The previous mason worked very neatly, but was replaced due to the slow pace of work (4 months for building the basement).

The new mason is now working very quickly, but in my opinion also quite roughly. In particular, I have noticed very large joints between the bricks. So my question to the experts is: Are these gaps in the masonry still within acceptable standards or even normal, or should we raise this issue directly with the mason or general contractor while the damage is still limited?

A few additional details:
- The building is a terraced house (row house)
- The walls are built with 36.5cm (14 inches) Poroton clay blocks

If I have forgotten any important information, please ask.

Thanks in advance for your assessment and support.

Ziegelwand mit dunkler Mörtelverfugung an einer Baustelle; Hintergrund Auto und Zaun erkennbar.


Großer Stapel orange Porenbetonblöcke auf der Baustelle, Haus im Hintergrund


Große orange Ziegelsteine stapeln sich zu einer Wand auf einer Baustelle; Häuser im Hintergrund.
11ant23 Dec 2020 13:24
Kishihmen schrieb:

It should also be considered that the shell construction needs to have a height of 2.55 m (8 ft 4 in). However, the builder has laid 10 courses of 25 cm (10 inch) bricks and says he will simply set the ceiling a bit higher (I’m not convinced that will work).
I don’t understand. Of course, he can continue with cut bricks, but who plans for a shell structure height of 255? – with current standards, that would probably result in a clear finished height of about 234 to 238 cm (92 to 94 inches).
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
N
netuser
23 Dec 2020 13:40
11ant schrieb:

I don’t understand. Of course, he can continue with the sawn stones, but who plans a shell height of 255 cm (100 inches)? – according to current standards, this will result in a clear finished height of about 234 to 238 cm (92 to 94 inches).

In this case, a room height below 240 cm (94 inches) would be unacceptable to me.
Especially with solid construction, you have the advantage of “complete freedom.” Why not plan for an additional course of blocks? 🙁
K
Kishihmen
23 Dec 2020 13:56
11ant schrieb:

I don’t understand. Of course, he can continue with sawn bricks, but who plans a structural height of 255 cm (100 inches)? - according to current standards, this would result in a clear finished height of about 234 to 238 cm (92 to 94 inches).


That’s the problem. As I understand it, he does not want to continue with sawn bricks, but simply wants to install the ceiling elements 5 cm (2 inches) higher...
netuser schrieb:

In that case, a room height below 240 cm (95 inches) would be out of the question for me.
Especially with solid construction you have the advantage of “any freedom.” Why not plan for an additional row of bricks? 🙁


The floor build-up is planned at 15 cm (6 inches). That would give us a ceiling height of 2.40 m (7 ft 10.5 in). Unfortunately, more was not possible due to the building permit/planning permission, or we would have significantly lower ceilings on the upper floor. This way, the ceilings in both full stories are about the same height (2.40 m and 2.41 m (7 ft 10.5 in and 7 ft 11 in)).
11ant23 Dec 2020 14:28
Kishihmen schrieb:

As far as I understood, he doesn’t want to continue with sawn stones but simply wants to install the ceiling elements 5cm (2 inches) higher .....
He wants to leave the pit props under the ceiling formwork in place permanently so that the walls can end 5cm (2 inches) below the ceiling??? – Is that guy trained as a clown?
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
K
Kishihmen
23 Dec 2020 14:44
11ant schrieb:

He wants to leave the trench supports under the ceiling formwork permanently so that the walls can end 5 cm (2 inches) below the ceiling??? Does this guy have any formal training?

Yes, he just told me not to worry, that he’s simply raising the ceiling by 5 cm (2 inches). I couldn’t find any proper method to do this, even after extensive research online. I’ve now informed the general contractor, and if it turns out to be shoddy work, he’ll have to fix it afterward…
K
knalltüte
23 Dec 2020 14:45
Siemens air hooks. Finally, a useful purpose for them. I think I still have a few in stock... 😎