Is it time for building masonry repairs? Look for these signs.
Many people only look into masonry repairs after a building faces inclement weather or a direct impact. However, you must regularly check the masonry to ensure your commercial structure is structurally sound and at its best. Bricks and stones are durable materials that can last for years and years. However, even these robust materials will break down after a while.
When masonry damage begins, it’s easy to miss until significant problems happen. You can avoid costly repairs if you catch minor issues early. Here are some signs that building masonry repairs should be on your radar.
Masonry Cracks
One of the most unmistakable signs that your building masonry needs some work is that it’s cracking. Some masonry cracks are harmless, while others indicate more severe problems underway. Thin, L-shaped cracks near foundation areas or between bricks aren’t anything to worry about because it takes simple solutions to fix them.
But jagged cracks in the shape of staircases require a masonry repair specialist to fix them. You’ll need to repair masonry cracks in this case because this indicates that there is pressure on your building’s walls coming from a blocked gutter or bearing its water weight downward.
Bulging Walls
Masonry as a building material is an aesthetically pleasing choice because it is neat and lined up in little rows with crisp edges. However, this could indicate a severe problem if you see that your building’s walls are bulging or sagging inward or outward.
When a building settles, it might not distribute its weight correctly. Therefore, sagging can occur. Also, if your building’s support structures are inefficient or damaged, they cannot hold up the building. Thus, the walls start bulging, making them ineffective at distributing the building’s force as time passes.
Cracks Near Windows and Doors
Windows and doors do not comprise brick or stone. However, they can be strong indicators that problems lie elsewhere. The dampness that creeps into a building’s walls can weaken the structure. Building masonry repairs are needed when the masonry no longer controls moisture excess because of deteriorating mortar.
A shifting wall can stem from interior damage to a sinking foundation. Over time, this weakness will advance as window sills shift or crack at their edges. Also, cracks that progress outward from the corner of the door indicate a shifting wall.
Shifting Bricks or Missing Mortar
Is your building missing bricks, or are there entire strips of mortar missing? A construction crew assembles bricks and mortar with the idea that they can distribute a building’s weight. Therefore, missing or shifting bricks or mortar indicates that your building isn’t functioning as intended due to moisture damage, heavy vibrations in the area, or other reasons.
Sticking Doors and Windows
Your building is one structure where all its elements work together. Therefore, the problem isn’t always these elements if your windows and door malfunction. In other words, there could be underlying issues. For example, your doors and windows might stick when you open them if the building masonry shifts because of foundation issues, moisture damage, or other problems. Your doors and windows might not close as easily anymore, or it takes a lot of effort. This issue could be an early indicator that building masonry repairs should be on your radar.
CONTACT DEL PRETE MASONRY TODAY!
Whether you are ready to start your next masonry project or are still hesitant and have questions, Del Prete 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: building repairs, masonry construction, Masonry repair