Choosing brick or stone masonry for your home or commercial building is a timeless choice that will keep your property looking beautiful and cozy for years to come. But it’s important to regularly inspect your brick structures and repair any minor damage as soon as possible. Ignoring small cracks or deterioration in your brick can lead to serious structural problems later on. That’s why you should learn to recognize the common signs of brick damage and hire professional masons for timely repairs. More Articles from Brick Experts DFW
Tuckpointing
Tuckpointing (also called re-mortaring) is the process of removing and replacing deteriorated mortar in brick walls, chimneys, and other structures. It’s a time-consuming and complex task that requires specialized knowledge and experience to perform correctly.
Regular tuckpointing can help extend the life of your brick walls and protect your home from moisture infiltration that can cause expensive long-term damage. The key is to inspect and repair your brick walls periodically for any deterioration, especially during the winter when freeze-thaw cycles and settling soils can damage mortar joints.
Hairline cracks less than 1/8 inch wide that only appear in mortar joints typically indicate normal settling. However, cracks that are wider than this and show a stair-step pattern or a horizontal direction often indicate severe masonry damage and require immediate professional repair. Also, bulging or bowing sections of a brick wall are signs of major problems that can be caused by shifting foundations, deteriorating mortar, or water damage and require immediate attention from a mason. Efflorescence, chalky white deposits on the surface of bricks, can also reveal hidden moisture issues and should be monitored closely as well.