How to Fix a Brick House Wall | This Old House

Tom Silva builds a new structural wall to solve the problem of the exterior walls bowing out at the Charlestown 2014 house. Norm Abram, Kevin O’Connor and Tom add structure to the roof.

Tom Silva shows Kevin O’Connor a major problem with the Charlestown 2014 house—the exterior walls are bowing out from the weight of the roof over 160 years. His solution: build a structural wall inbound of the brick, lash the brick to the structure with threaded rods and epoxy, and then parge the whole thing. On the third floor, Norm Abram shows Kevin O’Connor how the roof has been under-structured since it was originally built. The structure they added in the 1980s helped, but it still needs more. Tom joins to get the first of two massive LVLs tucked into the pockets in the brick sidewalls, and fastened in place.

About This Old House TV:
This Old House is America’s first and most trusted home improvement show. Each season, we renovate two different historic homes—one step at a time—featuring quality craftsmanship and the latest in modern technology. We demystify home improvement and provide ideas and information so, whether you are doing it yourself or hiring out contractors, you’ll know the right way to do things or the questions to ask. Our experts including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor give you the tools you need to protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Fix a Brick House Wall | This Old House

[Gggggggggg.]

This episode is seriously full of a lifetime of knowledge

[noitallmanaz]

I just love Kevin's responses here. That is exactly how I would sound if someone was showing this to me about my house. "Ah, oh, great"

[DeanyKong]

Tom and Norm in Charlestown? We've reached peak This Old House.

[newvibes]

Norm and Tom remind me of my dad, so much knowledge!! Such old school intelligence!! They are the best in the business!!

[Lqx.MM]

Love seeing Norm Abram and Tom Silva working with Kevin. You guys still rock! It brings back great memories of the Golden Years of TOH.

[jacobstatnekov]

These total disaster houses are some of the most interesting to learn about fixing. Thanks for the great content!

[kenmahoney]

Been watching for about 30yrs and still love the show!

[joelcloutier]

Kevin is such and underrated host, he's legit.

[Firebird_]

It’s good to see Norm Abram is still doing well and out working on the projects that TOH is doing.

[michaele]

And that folks is why it pays to know your contractor. Not everyone knows the best repair options, Tommy and Norm make it sound easy.. And it aint.

[ryxlpni]

It's great to see the New Yankee still out there building stuff.

[drsmith]

The amount of knowledge between these guys is incredible, combined idk if there's nothing they can fix loved this show for many years.

[rupe]

You can tell Norm is not up to his old self, but I give the guy credit because he's keeps stroking along. I really didn't expect him to be in on that heavy lift and working on a ladder either... but he's a tough old bird!

[MrPhotodoc]

Love the Tommy/Norm duo back together.

[BradThePitts]

Hairs on end! Original WGBH Boston fan here, circa 1979!

[paulwilliamson]

Love the show guys. Greetings from Ireland

[earsmouth]

I love watching this stuff. Makes me feel much better than so much of the internet crap...

[younglee]

Tom, Norm all the pros at this old house, wow!

[garrettdesantis]

One of the best new uploads from TOH! Interesting material and a longer clip. Some videos have been too short. Even this one could've been 15 min or more, but 8 satisfied my TOH itch for the day

[jaws]

NORM!!!! good to see you on the job
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