TOPIC: What is this for?

Hey guys I am curious to know what this cut in the wall is for.  I see this on all brick houses that I do around here but never knew what the reasoning was for.  This is always located on both sides of the house at the lower portion of a window.

Thanks in advance.

John

Seems odd to me. I would call some builders and masons around you and inquire on this particular practice. 

My guess would be for drainage.

Never seen that application around here.  Does it vary on the age of the home?

I don't think I recall seeing them on older homes.  Its a newer practice.  I don't know why they would have it for drainage, most homes have weep holes in them.

That is an expansion joint. It is for any movement that may occur, minimizes cracking. Similar to the expansion joints in sidewalks.

Here is an article, go about half way down the page. www.johnbridge.com/brick_veneer.htm

Ahhhhh.... kudos for you masta!!!  (in Asian accent) ~~~~>  I give you 1 karma point.

That is an expansion joint. It is for any movement that may occur, minimizes cracking. Similar to the expansion joints in sidewalks.

Here is an article, go about half way down the page. www.johnbridge.com/brick_veneer.htm
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That's right Michael, it's an expansion Joint just like what you would see in a concrete slab, driveway or some times they put them in the stucco around windows vertically and horizontally to absorb stress cracks