Learn more about how stone masonry cracks can be repaired.
Masonry is one of the most popular building methods because of its eternal nature – it is incredibly strong and long-lasting. Stone is one of the most popular materials for masonry work because of its beauty and durability (and it has been for a long time, which is why a lot of historical masonry is stone). Stonework is particularly popular for exterior masonry, which means that it must withstand the relentless effects of the natural world: sun, wind, freezing cold, and rain. After some time, even tough and steadfast material like stone masonry will start to show its wear. The good news is that stone masonry cracks can be repaired, and if the repair is done correctly, it can last a long time.
Identify The Crack
A thorough and routine masonry inspection is the best way to catch cracks before they become huge issues. Ideally, you will be inspecting often enough that the cracks are relatively small and shallow. The first step of repair is to identify exactly where the crack is. Newer cracks can be in either the masonry material (the stones, bricks, etc.) or the mortar between the masonry material, but hopefully, you catch them before they spread to both.
Repairs Depend On The Crack Location
When you spot stone masonry cracks, the first step to repair it is to clean it out thoroughly. The dirt, debris, and loose material from the crack must be removed using a wire brush and an air hose. The crack must be as clean as possible, so that the patch material bonds to a clean surface. Next, the clean crack is filled with vinyl concrete patch material that matches the existing masonry color. This material takes about 24 hours to fully cure, after which time it can be sanded down to make sure it matches the rest of the surface. Cracks in the mortar joints also need to be cleaned out, but less aggressively. More than ⅓ of the depth of the mortar should not be removed. Once the crack is clean, the mortar can be replaced. Mixing and applying mortar is a specialized skill that requires precision.
Call On The Professionals
If you have residential or commercial stone masonry that needs to be repaired, you should contact a professional mason. For the safety of everyone in and around your building, you need to be sure that the masonry repair is done correctly.
CONTACT DEL PRETE MASONRY TODAY!
Whether you are ready to start your next masonry project or are still hesitant and have questions, DelPrete Masonry is here to help. We have the experience and expertise to get it right the first time. Questions? Want to visit some of our residential or commercial projects? Ready to set up a consultation? Feel free to give us a call at 410-683-0650 or visit us online. We are happy to serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and to keep up with our new and exciting projects, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Tags: crack repair, cracks, stone masonry, stone masonry repair