Updated over 12 years ago on .
Failing Brick Victorian Fix
I'm looking at a property that has "issues". The primary issue is that it has a cut stone foundation which was not properly drained and has settled. When the corner of the foundation settled, the brick started to separate and roll outward. There is probably a 3/4" gap in the brick in the inside and outside. The corner of the house is about 4" out of plumb in both directions. I have seen this before and it's not long before the whole works comes down.
So my question is, has anyone seen a semi permanent (5-10 years) fix by buttressing the corner with steel. I was thinking of bracing it with steel in a right triangle shape. One leg against the house, one leg on a pier foundation and the hypotenuse bracing the two legs and holding up the wall. Mortar to make up the space between the curved wall and the straight metal.
I talked to a structural engineer who thought it would work but was concerned about the building department signing off on it.
I know the right way is to support the structure and rebuild the foundation and wall but right now property values don't justify that fix.
It's probably just a wild idea but if someone has used it or seen it used any insight would be great.