ᐅ Gable wall damaged by earthquake – crack has formed!

Curiosius schrieb:

I received a quote from the bricklayer to brick up the crack.

Why brick it up when you can also fill it with putty?

Curiosius schrieb:

I... just want to know how something like this is usually handled, the bricklayer has offered to seal the crack with masonry.

Really impossible... so you already have an offer, and we’re supposed to guess the details here. That’s truly impossible.

Curiosius schrieb:

I... just want to understand how something like this is usually handled. The mason offered to seal the crack with mortar.

Since the mason is the only one familiar with the crack, he probably suggested a common procedure. So it seems to be a larger crack.

Unfortunately, you are not able to take a photo of the crack (which is understandable). But it’s a pity that you don’t know the details of the crack yourself to at least provide us with a description... (2mm over 50cm (1/16 inch over 20 inches) or rather 3cm over the entire width of the house, depth only superficial or reaching the interior plaster? Etc.). Or do we have to imagine that ourselves as well?

It would not be helpful to give advice based on a layman’s description. You never know if the terminology used is correct, and the bricklayer has the experience and knows exactly where to look more closely and where not.

ypg schrieb:

Why build with masonry when plastering works as well.

Okay, YOU wouldn’t know this.
The external formwork part has been curved outward for over 30 years... that’s why I suggested using steel beams, which is my professional specialty.
Drill through both walls and secure with bolts anchored inside the interior walls. I have also seen this approach used in other restoration projects within the field of historic building preservation.

Curiosius schrieb:

I received an offer from the bricklayer to close up the opening.

The crystal ball just answered; it says to do it the way your bricklayer suggests in his offer.