What options does a building owner have when confronted with a bulging or cracked veneer?
Some attention to the bulge and crack is required. Usually bulges occur at shelve angles or relief angles. The cause can be associated with the lack of adequate fastening, undersize anchor bolts, improper installation, an undersize shelf angle, etc. Cracking can be associated with improper jointing details, poor quality or high absorption brick, poor mortar, differential wall movement, base structure shrinkage, excessive building drift, inadequate ties, no ties, rusting, etc. This will need repair and the partial removal of brick about the angle can be necessary. A licensed engineer must evaluate the conditions and determine an appropriate remedial action.
