5 Signs Your Brick Exterior Needs to Be Repaired

1. 5 Signs Your Brick Exterior Needs to Be Repaired

2. Even if your home was built with a brick exterior by an experienced construction contractor, there will come a point in its life when it will need to be restored and repaired. For homes in regions that experience harsher climates, for example, exterior brickwork is more susceptible to damage and cracking, and if not tended to by a qualified masonry contractor as soon as any damage is spotted, the problem could soon escalate and become much worse.

3. Here are 5 common signs that the brick exterior of your home needs to be repaired by a local mason: 1. The mortar is deteriorating If you see signs of the mortar deteriorating in any way, this is a sure sign that your brickwork needs restoring. If left, warping could soon occur, and that can lead to structural damage.

4. 2. Vertical cracks are appearing While cracks do naturally occur in brickwork as a consequence of the bricks and mortar settling, that doesn’t mean that they should be ignored. Smaller cracks can soon develop into larger ones, and when that happens, dirt and moisture can penetrate the wall. Over time, the brickwork could even begin to bulge as a result of the additional moisture, and if subjected to freezing temperatures and a thaw, the entire integral structure of the wall could be affected.

5. 3. Spalling can be seen Spalling is when the bricks begin to chip, and this is a common occurrence on exterior bricks that are exposed to the weather 24/7. While this is often merely an aesthetic issue, it still warrants repairing by a masonry contractor.

6. 4. Bricks are bulging As mentioned briefly above, bulging bricks can occur due to an infiltration of moisture, and they can either bow inward, or bulge outward. When moisture seeps into brickwork, it begins to soften and weaken the hardened construction, forcing the bricks to bulge. Bulging bricks should ideally be repaired as soon as they occur, and an experienced masonry contractor will easily take care of this problem for you, before it becomes a much more extensive, and costly issue.

7. 5. The masonry wall is bowed This often happens at the parapet level, and is usually caused by the bricks expanding as they absorb moisture over time. Without proper expansion joints, a brick wall will continue to expand, and this can place considerable pressure on the corners of the wall. While a more common problem on older structures, bowing can occur on new constructions, especially when it combines concrete framing and a brick veneer. If the pressure in the brickwork isn’t relieved, the expanding wall will eventually cause the corners to crack, and when this happens, you’ll definitely need to call a local masonry contractor.

8. If you see any of the above signs happening to your brickwork, it’s always best to seek professional help from a masonry contractor, and to get the problem repaired before it becomes an even bigger, costlier, concern.

9. RZ Construction Group Inc is a fully inclusive general contractor in New York. From initial design to final clean up, our results speak for themselves. We are fully licensed, insured, and bonded to provide both commercial and residential construction services to customers in Astoria and the surrounding area. Proud to serve New York State for 25 years. No job is too small nor too big. If you are looking for masons in Queens, NY or want to know more about our wide range of professional but affordable construction and repair services, reach out to us at (718) 938-9887.