Most property owners don't spend a whole lot of time inspecting their walls, patios and other masonry structures. On top of that, deterioration tends to happen very slowly over a long period of time, which makes it far less obvious. That's why it's really not that surprising that damage can go undetected for quite a while, or that homeowners may "see" the damage to components of their homes such as brick siding but not realize it's a cause for concern.
If you know a bit more about the reasons to call our experienced masons for help, you can get the necessary brick and mortar repair services before it turns into a much bigger problem. Here are some common issues that our experts can solve:
BROKEN OR LOOSE BRICK
Much like a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, a masonry structure is only as strong as its weakest unit. While one broken unit isn't likely to cause a catastrophic collapse, it does allow for water ingress that can cause serious issues inside your walls, so it's important to have someone check it out and perform brick repair. Wichita, KS residents who notice a broken brick or a few units that have come loose from the mortar and shift around when they are touched don't need the entire building torn down and replaced, though. Your Wichita handyman can remove just the loose or damaged brick and replace it with a new unit to restore the overall strength and durability of the structure.
This problem also includes spalling bricks, where sections of the surface are flaking, crumbling or peeling away. Much like other types of brick damage, fixing spalling is a minor repair compared to more serious problems. It simply involves removing the damaged bricks and replacing them. Because spalling is caused by exposure to moisture, your handyman will likely also perform an inspection to determine the source of moisture during your appointment for spalling brick repair. This is to stop the problem from coming back and causing more serious structural damage in the future.
CRUMBLING, LOOSE MORTAR
Bricks are pretty sturdy, but mortar is, by necessity, a lot softer and more prone to damage. It also doesn't last nearly as long as the masonry units themselves, which is why damaged mortar joints that need Wichita mortar repair are likely the most common problem for masonry installations. But if it's not dealt with in a timely manner, the bricks come into contact with each other and grind together as the building naturally shifts and settles, causing even more damage that will require the units to be replaced as well.
Mortar only really lasts around 20 years before it needs to be replaced, but bricks can last much, much longer. The Wichita mortar repair solution to that conundrum is brick repointing. Much like regrouting tile, repointing involves removing old mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar while leaving the existing bricks in place.
BOWED BRICK
If water is able to get into the space behind a masonry installation, it can cause the backing to swell or suffer damage and push against the units from behind. That makes the units either cave inward or bulge outward in a phenomenon that is often referred to as frost boil, because it is most likely to occur during cold weather when the moisture freezes, expands and puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the exterior surface.
This is a major issue for a number of reasons, because it affects the stability of the structure and also means moisture is inside your walls causing water damage, which is why this situation calls for experienced brick repair. The handyman professionals on our crew will handle the problem by removing the units that have been affected, fixing the water damage underneath (which may involve replacing the moisture barrier) and, of course, putting in replacement units.
VERTICAL CRACKS
If you spot a nasty-looking vertical crack in exterior walls or a different type of upright structure, you might be pretty alarmed. Fortunately, vertical cracks in bricks and mortar look a lot worse than they are, and it's actually a relatively common problem that can be solved with expert brick repair. Wichita, KS homeowners are often very concerned that the wall is at risk of collapse when they see a vertical crack, but it usually doesn't affect structural integrity. However, that doesn't mean it can be left alone without brick and mortar repair.
The problem is that the crack is letting in moisture, which can cause a wide range of serious problems such as bowed brick and interior water damage. This type of problem can sometimes be fixed with a simple epoxy application into the crack to seal it up, but in some cases, your Wichita handyman will need to use both epoxy and an expansion joint to relieve pressure on the corner from natural expansion over time.
COMPACTED BRICKS
Compacted masonry occurs when individual units become compressed and lose shape. This is a big problem for two reasons: one, it may allow water to seep behind the wall and cause issues like frost boil or wood rot inside the wall, and two, one compacted unit will eventually lead to extensive compacting across the structure because the first compacted brick isn't supporting the units around it properly and it becomes a chain reaction. If you notice a single compacted unit, it's important to get it resolved with brick repair. Wichita, KS residents can count on our expert handyman team to replace the compacted units and restore the wall strength and integrity of the structure.
PLANT GROWTH AND DIRT BUILD-UP
If your masonry surfaces or structures are covered in grimy build-up or organic growth such as algae and moss, it's visually unattractive and can lower your property's curb appeal. But if it's allowed to remain for a long time, it can cause problems that require mortar or brick repair. Wichita, KS professionals often find that build-up and organic growth that has been there for a long time slowly eats away at the materials underneath, weakening mortar and causing other issues. The best way to avoid that problem is with professional pressure washing services. Our team can clean off your masonry surfaces quickly and effectively so they stay in great shape for much longer—and look a lot nicer as well.
