You want to repair any damage to your brick masonry as soon as you come across it.
Over time, even the best brickwork needs repairs due to a variety of reasons including weather and the nature of the ground beneath your masonry. The dirt underneath your masonry will naturally move due to erosion and the weight of the materials on top. As this happens the masonry of your brickwork may crack. While this is common, it still needs to be dealt with quickly so that larger problems don’t occur. If you’re concerned that your brick masonry needs work, we’ve compiled a list of signs to look for.
Bulging Bricks
If you live in an area that experiences frequent freezing, you may notice the signs of bulging bricks, or what’s known as frost boil. This occurs when moisture seeps behind your brick masonry and softens the backing causing the bricks to either be pushed out or pulled in. To fix this, a mason will need to remove the affected bricks and treat the underlying cause before laying new bricks.
Corner Cracks
When it comes to cracks, some happen naturally. If they occur at a vertical or less than 30º angle, there is no threat of collapse. However, these cracks can still affect your brick masonry and need to be filled with an epoxy or urethane to prevent water from seeping in during heavy rainfall or from moisture freezing within over the winter.
Brick Compaction
A compacted brick is easy to spot because it will no longer be in its original shape. It may appear severely cracked or bowed and can allow water to breach the wall and cause significant damage. Often, if there is one compacted brick there will be others because the pressure that results from a compacted brick can affect those around it. If this happens you will need to replace the affected areas and potentially add spikes called push piers to your foundation for extra support.
Mortar Deterioration
If the mortar between the bricks begins to dissolve or buckle, it can cause dangerous side effects. When mortar wears away bricks begin to rub against each other causing damage and warping. It also puts you at risk of having the foundations become dangerous. If this happens you will need a mason to remove as much of the old mortar as possible before adding new mortar.
Call In The Masonry Experts You Can Trust
If you are ready to upgrade your home or commercial building with professional masonry installation or replacement, Del Prete Masonry has the experience and expertise to get the job done right for the right price. To explore our residential and commercial services and set up a consultation, please give us a call at 410-683-0650 or contact us online. We currently serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and get more updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.
Tags: brick masonry, commercial masonry, masonry restoration