What kind of ties should be used with concrete masonry walls?
There are many ties available in the marketplace. Not all ties are appropriate for all masonry uses; they should be selected based on the application. Corrugated ties are supposed to be used only with veneer over wooden studs; unit metal ties including regular ties and adjustable ties are used with two-wythe construction for cavity walls; and metal ladder-type ties are to be used for multiwythe composite action walls. Masonry headers are no longer recommended for connecting wythes (MSJC 2008, PCA 2008). A recent advisory from the Masonry Advisory Council cautioned those involved in designing, building, specifying, or inspecting masonry for residential or commercial properties about the inappropriate use of corrugated ties (MAC 2007). These light gauge metal ties are simply not robust enough to be used with brick veneer over concrete or concrete block. If the wall has been laid, it is possible to install retrofit anchors either before or after brick veneer has been installed. These tend
