To think that a single layer of bricks is not a particularly safe or strong wall?

[lovecat]

Our next-door-neighbour-but-one has bought the house inbetween us (if that makes sense) and is doing major renovation work before he expands his family into it. Part of this has involved pulling down the (rickety) fence between our houses and replacing it with a brick wall.

Now, I have no objection to this, it's a very nice wall, but as it's gone up I've noticed that it's a single layer of bricks and consequently only about 3-4 inches thick. It's interspersed with 2-brick square columns (so about 8 inches square)at intervals of every 2m, but the majority of this six-foot high wall is only 3 inches thick. I kept expecting the builders to put another layer of bricks in but they're nearly finished and they haven't as yet.

I don't know much about building, but this doesn't seem particularly safe or stable to me...especially as he has sons of 10, 13 and 16 who play football, cricket and rugby in their back garden. I have visions of one of them cannoning into it during play and bringing the whole thing down on dd while she's out back...

Am I being paranoid? And if not, how do I broach this subject with him?

[CoteDAzur]

Brick walls are perfectly stable on their own, as long as they are not expected to bear load in a structure (like a home).

YANBU to worry (that's what mums do), but rest assured it's perfectly fine.