Gap Between Exterior Brick or Stone Veneer and the Main Structure

A visible vertical or stepped gap where the exterior brick, stone, or stucco veneer meets the remainder of the home indicates that one side of the structure is settling away from the veneer, or that the veneer is settling relative to the home. The gap frequently grows measurably between inspections.

This pattern is common on New Jersey homes built on mixed soils, where one portion of the footing bears on native material and another on uncontrolled fill. The affected section requires underpinning to arrest movement before the veneer fails and creates a water-intrusion pathway.