Buying a Victorian terrace made of Quetta bond bricks. Is this ok?

onedirection

Hi

Survey on 120 year old terrace says that only the front wall is solid Victorian brick (looks really pretty). The rear wall , side walls and small extension are made of Quetta bond bricks and no insulation between the 2 layers of bricks.

I have never heard of these bricks so I have done some on-line research and apparently they are usually used in industrial buildings and garden/retaining walls.

There is no sign of subsidence or movement according to the surveyor.

The surveyor has made no conclusion about the bricks, just stated what type they are.

Should I be worried about 'Quetta' bond bricks making up 3 main walls in an old terrace? I want to live in it for a few years but I also want to know I can resell without this being an issue.

Thank you:)

phill99

Quetta bond is just a other way of building a wall out of bricks. Its simply how the headers and stretchers are put together. Other bonds are Flemish bond, English garden wall bond, monks bond, dearnes bond etc. the fact it's lasted 120 years is testimony to the craftsman that built it.

You are worrying over nothing.

solen

It looks like it's a way of laying the bricks, often used for reinforced walls for load bearing, or for retaining walls in gardens.

diydoctor.org.uk/projects/laybricksandblocks.htm (add www. At the beginning of this and scroll down the page)

If you look at the picture, the gaps are often filled with concrete, which would not allow any insulation to be added.

I have no idea if it is a good or bad thing in a home setting.

leveller2911

As Phil posted ,there is no need to worry.Quetta bond is similar to Rat-trap bond in that there is not a consistant cavity.

Its not that uncommon to find various brickwork bonds that don't have a clear cavity between the outside and inside skin.

onedirection

Thank you for your replies.

I found an article that said moisture could be drawn into the cavity through the brick. This is what is worrying me. It was called a 'cold spot'

I guess I will have to decide whether this will continue to worry me or accept that with older houses they are never just 'run of the mill' and this is what makes many of them unique .