Is Water Penetrating Your Brick Walls_ Here Are Some Possible Causes

1. Is Water Penetrating Your Brick Walls? Here Are Some Possible Causes

2. Just as erosion can cause serious damage to brick walls over time, so can water exposure, especially when extreme (such as in the event of a flood), or constant. Fortunately, prompt action when an issue with water exposure is first spotted, can prevent it from having an impact on neighboring brick surfaces or foundation. To help you identify and prevent an issue with water penetration of your brick walls, here are some of the most common causes:

3. An influx of power Water hitting a brick wall at high speeds makes it far more likely to penetrate either the bricks directly, or the joints, and it’s not unusual for home or business owners to report a leak after an activity such as power washing. While power washing is ideal for blasting away dirt and debris, doing it too often can cause damage to brick structures. If you really need to power wash a brick wall or structure, try doing it while standing further back, and less often.

4. Faulty guttering systems Gutters in need of repair or which haven’t been installed properly, may cause water to fall directly onto your exposed brickwork, and if left untreated, could lead to water penetration. If you’ve spotted a problem with your gutters, even a small issue, get it fixed as quickly as possible to prevent water damage from affecting your brickwork.

5. Ice walls During the colder, winter months, ice can easily freeze onto brick walls, and as the water expands, it can leave behind cracks in the brickwork once the ice has melted. Applying a breathable sealant to your walls can prevent this from ever becoming a problem. Once winter has been and gone, you should take the time to check your walls for any points of damage, and if you spot any, call a masonry contractor who will carry out tuckpointing to avoid any leaks further down the line.

6. Steady streams of rain and intense snowfall For older homes in particular, years of exposure to the elements can leave them vulnerable, and if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain or snow, or both, your brickwork might be suffering. While brick is exceptionally resistant to weather, every material has its breaking point, and there may come a time when bad weather begins to cause water penetration. Look out for bricks that remain dark in color even when the rain has stopped, and ask your local masonry contractor to carry out a detailed inspection of your home if you suspect water damage may have occurred.

7. What can you do to reduce the risk of leaks? Two things are essential for keeping your brick walls waterproof, and they are: applying a breathable sealant onto brick surfaces, and tuck pointing, both of which a masonry contractor can help you with. Waterproofed walls will be much better protected against water penetration in any form, and tuck pointing for older and worn brick walls, can be instrumental in stopping water from coming into your home. Water penetration can spell big trouble for your home, and ideally, you should take steps such as those mentioned above, to ensure that it never becomes a problem.

8. RZ Construction Group Inc is one of the best fully inclusive general and brick pointing contractors in Queens NY. 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. We offer all kinds of services related to masonry and brick pointing in Queens NY. Proud to serve New York State for 25 years. No job is too small nor too big. If you are looking for gut renovation 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.