Help with Brick Infill (Noggin) Walls

Thank you all for your advice! The issue is with the brick nogginG, not with the studs. We have an ST engineer and they confirmed that the bricks are not structural, and just serve as fireproofing as Jim noted. I found, from my own research, that the brick used when the house was built is considered soft brick, which can more easily absorb moisture and expand over time. I am by no means a mason or an engineer, but I am assuming this may have caused the bowing. Before the plaster was taken down, we could see bulging in the plaster, which we now know was from the brick. We did take the bricks out of several stud “bays” where the studs were rotted and then rebuilt the stud wall at 12″ OC with blocking. However, we were hoping to avoid removing the bricks next to the stairs as the studs are in good condition.

Overall, it sounds like the only option may be to remove the bricks or hire a great mason to repoint them.

Thank you all again for your help.

jf

in General Discussion 2 years and 4 months ago

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jf | 2 years and 4 months ago

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Hi all! I am currently renovating a row house in Brooklyn and I am wondering if anyone has experience with brick infill “noggin” walls. To give some context, the house is wood frame with brick filled in between the studs. The issue we are having is that one of the party walls (not shared, neighbor’s house is brick frame) has some brick bays bowing – beyond the studs. Does anyone have any guidance on fixing the bowing/making the wall plumb? We’d like to avoid having to frame a new wall, so that we can keep the original staircase. Does anyone know a method to secure the bricks so that the bowing doesn’t continue?

Any/all guidance would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you very much.

GreenThinker | 2 years and 4 months ago

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Easiest solution is to remove the bricks and sister new studs to the old studs.

jimhillra | 2 years and 4 months ago

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Bowing beyond the studs? Does that mean the brick nogging (with a “g”) is leaning into the space? The nogging is not structural. It’s just for fireproofing. If the issue is that the bricks are out of alignment, you can have the nogging removed and rebuilt, or possibly just repaired and repointed in place. If it’s the studs, then as GreenThinker said, you can have the brick removed, reinforce the studs, and then reinstall the brick.

cate | 2 years and 4 months ago

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As Jim Hill says, you can just push the nogging back into place and repoint it. Then it won’t be falling down because the mortar will hold it together. But before you’d do anything, I’d consult with the right engineer to be absolutely certain this wall is not structural and to try to ascertain the reason the bricks are bowing out. I also live in a wood frame with brick party walls. While the mortar holding the bricks together was rather casually installed in the first place — laughably so — the bricks are not bowing out because the plaster (and sometimes lathe) keeps them in place. Mind you, when plaster comes undone, plaster bow outs, and I suppose then the bricks could get a little messy as well. The solution for bowing out plaster is to pin it, then skim coat. If the actual bricks are bowing out and pushing out, that suggests the bricks are being squeezed somehow, which implies something structural may be going on. I guess it’s possible the wood frame could be bowing. You will need to find an engineering firm with more than one person and that consults on new constr uction but also has a great deal of up experience with 19th century owner occupied row houses in Brooklyn. We did finally find such a firm and they are great, but because I work for Brownstoner, I can’t recommend people. If memory serves, I got their name on the Forum from a regular and known poster here. Good luck.