Masonry, which includes brick and stone, makes beautiful home siding, chimneys, fences, and walls. Preventive maintenance and masonry repair can keep it looking good for decades.
Getting a professional to repair your masonry before problems get out of hand saves you from having to undertake expensive restoration work in the future. Knowing the difference between repairs and restoration will help you choose a reputable specialist.
Cracks and Chips
Cracks in masonry walls are a common sign of deterioration and should be repaired promptly. This will keep water from infiltrating and damaging your home’s foundation and other structures. Cracks are often caused by soil movement or the expansion and contraction of a building’s structural members as they settle. This can cause the brick wall to move and separate from the rest of the structure, causing structural damage and requiring expensive repairs.
The type of mortar used in a structure can also impact how a crack is repaired. For instance, using a high Portland cement (OPC) mix in an area of high strain will often result in failure because the repair material cannot deform sufficiently to redistribute the stress. A more pliable masonry mortar such as a high calcium hydraulic lime can provide much better prospects for success in an area of high strain.
Other mistakes in repairing a crack include the use of inappropriate repair materials and inadequate surface preparations. People sometimes spend a lot of money pumping concrete repair epoxies into open cracks in masonry walls without understanding the structural implications of their choice of materials and techniques. This can create a problem because masonry is much softer and more porous than concrete and requires compatible repair materials.
Loose or Broken Bricks
Masonry is a common feature in many homes, used in chimneys, steps and walkways. It can be very durable and is often aesthetically pleasing. However, like any material, it will deteriorate over time. When masonry becomes damaged, it’s important to address the problem as soon as possible. Otherwise, it can lead to more significant issues that could compromise the structural integrity of a building or structure.
Typically, a mason can repair cosmetic damage by simply turning the brick around or replacing it. This is especially true when preserving the original look is important, such as in a historic home. This also prevents further damage to the surrounding brick. However, when a brick is too worn or broken, it may need to be completely replaced.
First, it’s important to protect yourself from harm by wearing eye protection and leather gloves while working on a masonry project. Next, carefully remove the old brick by breaking it apart with a mason’s chisel and hammer. While removing the brick, try to avoid damaging any of the adjacent mortar joints. Once the old brick is removed, chisel out any remaining mortar and clean the void to prepare it for the new brick.
Once the void is clean, mix mortar according to the manufacturer’s instructions and apply it using a pointing trowel to the bottom and both sides of the new brick. After applying the mortar, lightly mist it with water to keep it moist as it dries.
Leaky Chimneys
It doesn’t matter if it’s sleet, snow, rain or humidity, water entering your chimney and soaking into the brick can cause major damage. Chimney leaks are one of the most common problems in masonry. And sadly, they are also one of the most expensive to repair.
Brick and mortar are porous materials. They absorb moisture during storms, especially in the winter. Over time, that moisture causes damage like cracks, gaps, holes, efflorescence and deterioration. But it’s when the masonry experiences serious structural damage that you really have a problem.
The most common point of leakage is a cracked chimney crown. The chimney crown is a slanted concrete structure built at the top of the chimney that serves as a roof and keeps rain and snow away from the flue tile. But if the chimney crown is damaged due to extreme temperatures or incorrect construction, it can crack and allow moisture to enter the chimney and the home.
The flashing is another common source of chimney leaks. A flashing is a metal sheet of material that runs along the joints of the chimney and roof to prevent water from seeping into the structure. Chimney sweeps can replace flashing and repair any damaged mortar joints. If you suspect that your chimney flashing is leaking, ask your sweep to perform a water test. They can soak small sections of the flashing with water to determine if it’s the source of the leak.
Structural Damage
Masonry is very common in modern construction, mainly because of its durability, energy efficiency, fire-resistance, sound-proofing, and thermal mass. It is also very versatile, able to be used for residential and commercial buildings of many sizes and shapes. However, masonry can still experience damage due to a variety of natural factors.
Moisture is the number one cause of masonry damage. Bricks, stone and mortar are porous materials that can absorb water, which can lead to cracking and crumbling of the masonry. This damage can be cosmetic or structural, depending on the amount of moisture that is present.
Water damage can also cause staining of the masonry materials. This is usually seen as dark stains in the brick. It is important to have these stains fixed as soon as possible, as they can indicate structural damage.
Another type of structural damage that can be caused by moisture is displacement. This can occur when lateral support anchors are insufficient or corroded, or when a freeze-thaw cycle causes the masonry materials to shift.
Displacement of masonry walls around openings, such as doors or windows, is often the result of the failure of wood lintels in older masonry structures. Metal lintels are more likely to fail, but even they can be affected by freeze-thaw cycles. When the lintels are replaced, it is important that they be properly fitted to the surrounding masonry.