Abstract. This article examine the causes of crack formation in the exterior layer multilayer enclosing structures, on early terms of operation (from 3 to 5 years). The problem is investigated on a concrete example of the existing residential building to St. Petersburg. We explore the cracks in the zone interwindow belts and partition. For explore this question used methods such as: analysis of the experience, visual inspection, the experimental methods in laboratories, numerical modeling in the software package ANSYS. As a result of visual examination of sediment soils are not detected. According to the results tests of a selected samples bricklaying, compliance of its durability to existing rules -is defined. Identified a number of causes of crack formation. Also, a number of recommendations is developed for the design, to avoid similar problems on early terms of operation.