Top 5 Threats to Your Brick

There are many things that attract people to bricks, both guests and homeowners alike. These include its natural and classic look, durability compared to other wall materials, and its flexibility when it comes to designs and shapes, and these all, what masonry Rochester Hills provides to their customers. 

Looks Do Not Always Guarantee Quality 

Although bricks can be so good to look at in a glance, looks can still be deceiving, as bricks still fall prey to different elements that cause some structural damage to them. We interviewed some experts in the field and they mentioned that bricks can provide a deceitful look especially to those who do not have the keen eye and knowledge to distinguish old and failing to good quality bricks.  

Typically, high-quality bricks are installed on the front area of the property while the low-quality bricks are installed on the back. In addition to this, most homeowners cover up their bricks through paint to effectively hide imperfections and structural damages. This is bad for two reasons: first, it hides away cracks and damages that may need immediate repair; and second, the paint may contain harsh chemicals that could potentially damage the bricks more.  

In this article, we will share with you five elements that tell your bricks may be failing: 

1.Cracks 

Cracks can be dangerous especially when they form long cracks in a staircase pattern. They can potentially result in an uneven settling of the foundation when left unattended and unfixed. These cracks may be caused by lintels that have gone rusted and expanded that makes the mortar crack. When this happens, it is important that you fix them by filling the spaces in between. However, when the cracks recur, you may need to check your home’s foundation for damages.  

2.White stains  

The white stains that can be noticed on the bricks’ surface is caused by a salt stain that has been dried. This can be removed by using common cleaning tools like water, soap, and brush. However, if the white stains always recur, this might be a sign of water infiltration, which could cause damage when left unfixed.  

3.Sagging bricks 

If you see some bricks slipping out of their place, this can be caused by a damaged lintel, which provides support to the whole bricks over it. Check the lintels and repair if there are some damages, or better, replace it anew.  

4.Damage caused by water  

Bricks, as materials, are not susceptible to water damage although it has a poor drainage ability, and this makes the water infiltrate especially when spaces in between bricks are present. When this is left unfixed, the bricks will be flaky and protruded causing them to be rusted and weak. Make sure that your bricks have proper ventilation to avoid this to happen.  

5.Crumbling mortar  

Sandy mortar may be common for bricks that are painted. However, if the mortar starts to crumble, which is manifested by cracks and sandy texture, you need to replace your mortar as it will cause the whole brick wall to collapse. Replacing the mortar can be quite intensive and laborious, thus it is important to call for professional help.