Arch crack

[thebigt]

The weather turned cold before I could get a buttress on my arch so I used 2 cinder Crete blocks held in with a shelf bracket bolted into the concrete slab that my oven sits on.

The crack in the arch was there before but after my last cook it expanded really quickly. How can I fix this without redoing my arch? The crack goes right through and I see light when looking from the entrance. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Les]

Re: Arch crack

Can you remove the offending brick and re-set it? The arch may have found it's happy place and future cracks would be minimal ( if any ). Or is this just one of many in the arch?

[thebigt]

Re: Arch crack

Les this is the only major crack, the rest seems to be doing alright.

What would be the easiest way to reset the brick? The crack is where the arch meets the side walls. Should I remove the top bricks while propping the arch up and then reset those bricks? Would more photos help?

[Les]

Re: Arch crack

I would just remove the one brick. Clean the mortar off with an angle grinder and re-set it.

[thebigt]

Re: Arch crack

I would just remove the one brick. Clean the mortar off with an angle grinder and re-set it.

Les which brick are you referring to? Just want to make sure that I remove the appropriate brick

[Les]

Re: Arch crack

Les which brick are you referring to? Just want to make sure that I remove the appropriate brick

Looking closer, I think you have three that are floating.

[thebigt]

Re: Arch crack

Looking closer, I think you have three that are floating.

Ok so the top bricks on the support wall? In order to do that I assume that I should prop up the arch in order to remove and redo those bricks? Would it be best to build my buttress support wall before doing this or is it imminent that this will fall down?

[thebigt]

Re: Arch crack

Just want to make sure that I have a good understanding of your advice before proceeding.

[Les]

Re: Arch crack

Ok so the top bricks on the support wall? In order to do that I assume that I should prop up the arch in order to remove and redo those bricks? Would it be best to build my buttress support wall before doing this or is it imminent that this will fall down?

Support would be a safe thing to do, can't tell from the pic but I am assuming you have the vent in place ( and all it's weight ). As I mentioned earlier, everything probably found it's happy place. Are the brick joints on the side compromised at all? You may want to beef that up as well at this time if it is in your plans