Is it time to repoint bricks in your building? Look for these signs.
Brick buildings are notoriously long-lasting and aesthetically appealing. Sturdy bricks and straight lines of mortar create a powerful impression on anybody. However, even the sturdiest brick structures may need repairs from time to time to stay in their best condition. You may need to repoint bricks at some point to maintain the look of your commercial building. Before committing to repointing, it’s important to know why repointing may be needed and why failing to do so may cause more problems. Read on to learn more about repointing bricks before calling the pros at DelPrete Masonry to repair your building.
What Does Repointing Mean?
The term “repointing” refers to a type of masonry repair meant to fix cracks and other damage, especially damage to the mortar holding bricks together. Some sources use the words repointing and tuckpointing interchangeably, but there are slight differences.
Tuckpointing can be used to patch up areas where mortar is damaged. However, tuckpointing is also used to match the color of the mortar to the bricks or change how the building looks. Repointing, by comparison, is more concerned with zeroing in on the problem areas and redoing them from the ground up. It is not typically used for aesthetic reasons but to repair problems.
What You Gain When You Repoint Bricks
The purpose of repointing bricks is to remove damaged mortar and replace it with new material that tightly seals the space. When you repoint bricks, you ensure that your mortar is functioning correctly. Without robust mortar, your building cannot diffuse its weight evenly downward, and your commercial building could face sagging bricks, bulging walls, or partial collapse.
You put your building and its occupants at risk by failing to repair the damage or repoint it correctly. This is why it is best to hire professionals to repoint the bricks of your building.
The Signs That It Is Time for Repointing
Repointing should be a part of regular maintenance for your brick building. However, there are times when repointing is needed sooner than your scheduled maintenance call. These signs include:
- Water Intrusion: Mortar creates a watertight seal for your building. If you see water damage or signs of moisture, like mold growth, your mortar may need replacing.
- Cracks: Mortar helps the weight of your building spread out evenly. When the mortar isn’t doing this, the bricks take on more weight than they can handle and cause cracks. Look out for cracks that look like stair steps, indicating an urgent issue with load bearing.
- Flakes and Chips: You can inspect the mortar itself for problems. It should be clean and smooth. If it starts to flake or chip, repointing is in order.
CONTACT DELPRETE 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: brick, brick masonry repair, repointing, tuckpointing