Brick Repair 101: 6 Signs Of Damaged Bricks
Bricks have been used in construction for centuries. Archaeologists who find ruins of ancient cities can attest that bricks have been used as early as 7000 BC. To this day, bricks are still used in construction because they are durable and affordable.. However, like any other material, bricks are also susceptible to damage.
Bricks can deteriorate and shift for various reasons. It could be because of prolonged exposure to harsh weather or poor installation and craftsmanship. When bricks are damaged, it can cause structural or foundational problems to the building—making it unsafe for occupants.
It is crucial to know what the signs of brick damage are. Detecting the problem early can allow professionals to rectify the issue. For example, if you discover cracks in the walls, contact a reputable masonry who can inspect the damage and propose solutions. If you’re from Ontario, you may click here to connect with reputable masonries.
But what are other signs of brick damage every homeowner should look out for? Listed below are six of them:
Masonry Wall Bowing
Clay-fired bricks are made from a completely dried-out kiln. They will likely expand in length after absorbing moisture for quite a while. Unfortunately, if your brick walls don’t have adequate expansion joints, they’ll continue to expand and pressure wall corners.
Since wall corners are stiffer than any other part, they tend to tilt inside or outside, resulting in bowed walls. If you fail to leave enough expansion area, the corners will likely crack and require costly repairs.
Leaky Chimney
Water cannot penetrate bricks that are still in good condition. So, if your chimney is leaking, this only means there’s something wrong with the structure. While the leak might appear insignificant, it can cause severe property water damage if left unattended. Water accessing your home interior can cause wood to rot and mold and mildew to grow. So, once you find water leaking in your chimney, schedule an inspection with a professional.
Compacted Bricks
From the shape and condition of the brick itself, you can easily detect compacted bricks on your wall or building. These bricks will appear bowed, cracked, washed out, or crumbling. When bricks are compacted, water and moisture can seep through the walls and cause damage.
It only takes a single compacted brick to destabilize a building because of failure to provide the necessary support. One compacted brick will likely affect the rest and might cause a brick building to collapse.
If you discover compacted bricks on your walls, call a professional immediately to repair them before they become a huge problem. Masons usually recommend underpinning the foundation with push piers for extra support in these cases.
Deteriorated Mortar
Mortar is a cement-like paste that is used to stack bricks together. When bricks are exposed to water and moisture, the mortar can deteriorate over time. As a result, the bricks loosen up and create friction, causing damage or warping.
When your mortar starts deteriorating, this doesn’t just attract costly brick repair but can also make the building dangerous. If addressed in time, masons can successfully repoint or tuckpoint the mortar to prevent further damage.
Vertical Corner Cracks
Vertical cracks are generally not an urgent concern since they don’t signify a structural or foundational problem. However, if you ignore the cracks, water can penetrate the walls during heavy rains. Now, this can cause water damage and flooding on your property.
No matter how insignificant the crack may be, it’s best to have them inspected and repaired before bad weather strikes. Professional masons can repair vertical corner cracks using urethane or epoxy injection. These injections are used to fill the gaps, making the wall safer.
White Powder
If you see white powder on bricks, then this indicates efflorescence. This is a condition that occurs after moisture has entered the wall cavity and is unable to escape. When moisture is trapped within the walls, it dissolves soluble salts in the building material. As the water evaporates, these salts are left behind—creating a white stain on the walls.
Fortunately, you can clean bricks with an efflorescence cleaner. However, you should avoid using an acid-based cleaner because a mixture of water and acid might cause more damage to your bricks.
It’s vital to mention that efflorescence doesn’t interfere with brick integrity. However, it indicates the presence of excess moisture in the wall cavity. To prevent the white powder from appearing on your walls, locate the source of the moisture and repair the root cause of the problem.
Conclusion
Brick is still popular in modern construction because it is cheap, durable, and generally low-maintenance. However, this does not mean that they are immune to damage. Water damage and moisture can cause bricks to deteriorate. Natural expansion and other environmental elements can also cause bricks to crumble or deteriorate. Fortunately, professionals can repair these issues without having to disturb the entire structure of the building as long as the issue is detected early
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All Comments
Zachary Tomlinson
22nd Mar, 2023
Thanks for pointing out how damaged bricks could affect the overall integrity of your building if you're not careful. I heard that my friend wants a house with a wood-burning fireplace. I should discuss this information with him so we can find a brick repair professional to repair these issues when they happen.
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Witaminy dla Nastolatków
14th Mar, 2024
Excellent post! Your arguments are well thought out and convincingly presented. It's clear you've put a lot of effort into this.
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