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OBC DIVISION B · PART 9 · SECTION 9.20 — MASONRY AND ICF WALLS NOT IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND

How must brick veneer be supported and tied to a house in Ontario?

Brick veneer must bear on the foundation, a shelf angle or other solid support, overhanging its support only slightly. It must be anchored to the backing with corrosion-resistant ties at tabulated spacings, with a drained air space of at least 25 mm (1 in.), base flashing and weep holes at maximum 800 mm spacing.

Code reference
Masonry veneer must be carried on a foundation or structural support and connected to the backing wall with corrosion-resistant ties installed at maximum horizontal and vertical spacings given in the code tables, embedded properly in mortar joints. A drained and flashed air space behind the veneer, with weep holes spaced not more than 800 mm apart at the base and over openings, manages water penetration.
OBC Division B, Subsections 9.20.6. and 9.20.9.

Paraphrased for clarity — open this provision in the BUILDAiD Library for the exact wording.

What this means in practice

Brick veneer in Ontario is a rain screen, not a waterproof skin: water gets behind it by design, so the flashing, clear cavity and weep holes are as structural to performance as the ties are to stability. Field problems cluster around mortar droppings bridging the cavity, missing weeps over lintels, ties nailed to sheathing instead of studs, and veneer corbelled too far past the foundation. Tie spacing is commonly on the order of every 400 to 600 mm each way depending on the tie type and table used, so confirm against the specific product. Lintels over openings need proper bearing each side.

Plain language

Brick on a house is a decorative shell held to the wood wall behind it by small metal ties, standing on the foundation. Behind the brick there is a deliberate air gap with flashing and small drain holes every 800 mm so any rain that gets through can escape.

Related questions

How thick do above-grade masonry walls have to be in Ontario?What are the Ontario Building Code rules for above-grade ICF walls in houses?

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This page is provided for general information. Building code requirements depend on your specific project, occupancy and municipality, and code editions change. Always verify requirements against the current Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.