4.5" Single Brick External Wall

[JimbobSmith]

Hello all,

Thank you in advance for any advice provided, here goes.

We have recently purchased an 1870 Herefordshire red brick cottage which was extended from 2 to 4 bedrooms in about 1977.

As part of the extention they removed the pitched roof at the rear of the property and increased the height of the rear wall to form a flat roof.

Here's the problem, once we have removed the wall paper and boarding from that wall to expose the brickwork they have removed the inner row of 4.5" bricks to the lower old part of the house. Then built a new single 4.5" brick wall for the extention on top of it. This is from ground floor to the roof.

We have had a builder around, who's obviously said a structural engineer should come to look, which is booked for next week.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to build a second skin inside or out, while supporting the original wall as well as insulation.

 

[^woody^]

I don't understand that description. Photos?

 

[JimbobSmith]

Woody apologies for the delay in posting pictures I only visit the property at weekends.

As requested the pictures attached hopefully show what I was trying to explain.

From the left of the window to the right of the stairs, the wall is only a single 4.5 brick thick this rises from the floor to the roof.

Hope this helps

Regards

Jim

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

It would seem that the upstairs joists are sitting on some sort of lintel within that white box. If the lintel is up to it, its perfectly safe.
The problem as you state it, is the upstairs single skin wall sitting on the old wall. It is likely to be blown/sucked out of true by wind pressure alone. The most convenient solution is to make this area a "timber framed building", which basically is putting up a wooden frame work which is stuffed with foam and is held to the single skin by wall ties. This stiffens up the brick wall.
Frank