Brick repairs are important for the durability of a building and to enhance the curb appeal. Some kind of isolated cracks or chips that are only on a few bricks can be fixed easily by replacing a few bricks. However, there are some structures that require proper solutions. Remember that proper maintenance will ultimately be essential for masonry. Most often property owners make the mistake of extending the inevitable. This is where you need to consider a professional team for precise brick repairing.
What are the common issues that need Brick repairs?
Cracking- There are different reasons for cracking along mortar joints such as foundation problems, a design flaw, deterioration, or settlement, or a combination of more than two issues.
Chimney- You should know that chimney is a self-supporting structure, but if the support fails in any way then the rest of the building will also be affected. A chimney is longer, stands taller, and has a thinner foundation compared to other structures. It should be fixed at the right time.
Leaning- When you experience that any part of your building is leaning inward or outward, it indicates something is wrong there. Do not delay to fix it.
Unsafe walls- It is another important condition that requires brick repairing immediately. Your building must stabilize no matter if it is a new property or an old one. A disconnected wall is barely reliable.
Wall leaks- When you see leaks in your walls, make sure you are delaying them as they could be caused by multiple issues. Professionals know how to deal with it and fix it.
Stains- If your building is looking absolutely fantastic and no stains blocking your building’s potential, then it is fine. However, you should check it regularly; else you may be missing out on its attractive beauty. It is another issue that can let walls not shine.
Moreover, professional brick repairing teams understand all these issues and they use different methods to fix them, including the best brick repointing. They will meet your masonry needs and expectations.
When do Brick repairs include the repointing method?
Brick repointing is one of the most important parts of brick repairing and it is essential for masonry structure. But you need to understand different reasons for using repointing. When we talk about the brickwork of a building, it is a visible part of your property and it also requires repoint or replacement.
Brickwork is not as solid and durable as it always looks. If you are ignoring proper treatment for a long time, then you are making a mistake. There are some indications you can find so that ensures that you need to fix it.
Different signs such as loose or weakened bricks or stone or mortar joints cracking or worsening, damp walls, or damaged plasterwork on the inside of masonry walls. Most often property owners assume that all these issues are naturally caused by weathering or from age-related failure. However, it may not be the case at all.
You should know that there are some other major issues you can count on in this case such as leaking roofs or gutters, foundation settlement of the building itself, indecorous mortar application, blocking moisture vents behind the masonry work producing humidity behind the masonry wall.
At the same time, another issue that causes damage is the harness of the original mortar mixture. In some cases, the mortar is harder than the brick or stone, the brick itself can begin to spall, crack, and fail like the mortar should have done initially. Sometimes, the mortar is supposed to breathe, flex, and is supposed to ultimately fail, so the brick will not be leaving the wall itself in decent basic form.
All these issues should be properly fixed. These are the root causes of and you need to take the right steps to repair and remove these issues. Else, the masonry unit worsening will continue and lead to damage to building components.
Step by step process of brick wall repairs or repointing-
Of course, repointing brick walls and chimneys with new mortar is not about improving their beauty, but it ensures their security. At certain times, when the mortar between bricks starts to damage, using the procedure of repair or Brick repointing is a smart decision. When the decaying mortar is left untreated, it enables water to seep in between the bricks and lead to swell and crack.
However, there are some of the basics you need to follow when repointing brick walls. All these stages are given briefly.
Elimination of the old mortar- When it comes to repointing, it is working in small sections. It doesn’t need to eliminate all of the old mortar from a wall at once. You need to take away old mortar from both the horizontal and vertical joints to a depth of about 1/2 inch. You can use different types of tools for this task such as a cold chisel or handheld grout saw or a joint raker. Make sure you are doing it properly without damaging the brick wall’s integrity. Then clean all the dust by using a whisk broom or hose and wear a respirator.
Put water on the Wall- After removing mortar, provide the brick wall a wet and leave it overnight so that the bricks and old mortar are hydrated well. So you can easily put the new mortar in the next day.
Blend the new mortar- It depends on your house age. If it is less than fifty years, you can simply use standard cement mortar. However, if it is older than that then you want to use a different mix, consisting of lime and sand. Do this task properly and make sure you are mistaking it. It doesn’t matter which mortar mix you are using, you should make it in small batches as it hardens quickly. Remember, a mortar works best in temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees.
Supplement the new mortar- Take some mortar on a big trowel and place a smaller amount into the horizontal and vertical gaps between the bricks by using a pointing trowel.
Clean Up- Wait until the mortar has hardened a bit and then you can scrape off any mortar that remains on the brick face. Use a robust wire brush in a horizontal sweeping motion so the new mortar of the joints will not pull out. After this process, you ought to wait for 3-4 days and give the wall a daily misting so that the mortar will dry gradually with no crack.
This job requires patience, experience, effort, and time. Of course, at the end of the day, you will be happy, but it is a job of a professional team.
Pros of hiring a professional team for brick repairs-
Building construction has improved over the years with the advent of technology. There are different features added to it to offer the property owners comfort every day. Owing to some reasons like the climate, catastrophes, and even its age, some portions of a home get damaged which can affect the integrity and the stability of the building. Also, you can experience hail, high winds, and tornadoes that lead to damage to your house. Although it is a common process and happens to every building over the years, it needs to be fixed at the right time to prevent danger.
Do not fret!! There are many companies offering the Best Brick repairs services that you can hire. They ensure the best results. Also, you can reap various benefits by hiring these services.
Dependable services-
Owing to the weather and unforeseen phenomena, bricks can be damaged, cracked, or even chipped. This is where professionals play a major role as they can offer the best solution of pointing and repointing.
Tougher buildings-
By hiring a professional team, you can rest assured that your buildings or establishments are precisely fixed to provide stability and integrity. They are a highly experienced and skilled team and also have been dealing with several projects. Thus, they can easily handle the damaged part and replace it in order to meet your expectations.
More appealing walls-
Usually, repointing is the procedure where experts repair joints that can ensure a better wall that can complement your building. A professional team will handle it perfectly and leave your brick walls absolutely amazing.
Better protection-
When walls get cracks and chips, it affects the complete features of the building since water and other particles can go inside your homes or buildings. It can be fixed by a professional team and also, it lessens the electric costs since HVAC systems can be used properly.
Moreover, a professional service provider offers the safety and comfort that you are seeking. Hence, it is better to involve a reliable and highly experienced team that can give you the best deal. These companies also offer various other services regarding your building repair at the best pricing range so it is worth investing in.
FAQs-
Why You ought to repoint your home’s Brick walls?
Preserve structure integrity- The erosion in mortar can lead to deterioration of the structural integrity of a home. Repointing is the solution.
Enhanced texture- Repointing assists to repair the sparkle and luster to enhance the texture.
Stop damp and leaks- Repointing helps to keep your home safe from moisture and prevent leaks.
Save money- It can save you money in the long run.
Overall value- It brings your brick walls into the look as it before so your home will get outstanding ROI.
How much do brick repairs cost?
Brick repointing is a straightforward job and the materials required are not expensive. Instead of doing it on your own or hiring an unprofessional for this job, it is no shame in hiring a professional as they can deliver the expected results in a hassle-free way.
When your bricks are considerably damaged and you don’t have any idea about it, hire qualified experts in your area without wasting your time. Most often property owners wonder how much money you might spend on it as it is a major concern.
However, the price may vary with the severity of the damage, how much needs to be repaired, the type of work being completed, and your location. We would like to say that these services are not as high as you think of them. All you just need is to hire someone you can trust and comfortable to discuss your queries regarding it. You can ask different companies for a free quote so that you can make the right decision to get the best deal.
Does the color of brick start to fade?
No. Bricks have a natural red color that never fades away. However, over time, brick surfaces will begin to look dirty. It requires careful cleaning to restore the original shine. Do not resort to power-hosing bricks as they can cause irreversible damage.
How long should my mortar joints last?
Mortar joints are working for 35+ years if the installation has been done perfectly. However, the brick, stone, and concrete masonry units can last over 100 years when properly maintained.
Looking for the best team for brick repairs? You can visit www.pointingbrickwork.co.uk.