Brick and stone buildings can last a lifetime with proper maintenance. The key to longevity is recognizing and responding quickly to minor damage.
If you spot any masonry issues, contact us for a free assessment and estimate. We can recommend the right solution, whether it’s tuckpointing, parging, waterproof caulking or any other repair. For more information, visit this website at https://concretecontractorcoloradosprings.com/.
Brick structures are susceptible to a variety of stressors. These can include weather variations that cause expansion and contraction, movement of building materials such as doors and windows, corrosion of steel or iron reinforcements and the movement of soils that impact foundations.
The result of these stressors is the development of mortar cracks in masonry walls, structures and sidewalks. While mortar cracks are a normal part of the process of deterioration, they should be addressed promptly to prevent further issues. If left unchecked, they can lead to the need for more extensive masonry restoration work.
To repair cracks in mortar, start by cold chiseling out the cracked material to a depth of an inch or less. Afterward, clean the crack and then mist the area to keep the new mortar from drying too quickly. Mix up a batch of fresh mortar and apply it to the crack using a masonry trowel, working in small sections so as not to overfill the crack. After it is filled, use a masonry jointing tool to mold the joints to a more uniform look.
Once the joints are finished, spray the area with water to keep it from drying too rapidly and then brush away any residual debris. If the crack continues to develop, consider mechanically stitching the masonry with a crack stitching system such as PowaTwist, which uses stainless steel bars with a special grout that locks everything in place. These types of systems can be much more effective than simply filling in the cracks with a simple patch, as they redistribute tensile loads throughout the structure.
It is always best to prevent these cracks from developing in the first place, as it can save you a lot of money and time in the long run. A general cleaning of your masonry surfaces and regular inspections can help to detect problems before they become too serious, as well as prevent the need for costly masonry repair. Water repellants are also an excellent way to prevent moisture from damaging masonry structures. While these products cannot stop all cracking and crumbling, they can significantly increase the life of a brick structure.
Repairing Damaged Units
Masonry is a material used to construct many buildings, structures and walls. It is a popular choice because of its durability, strength, fire resistance and sound-proofing. But like any material, masonry will eventually wear down and require repair. Periodic inspections should be conducted to assess the condition of a masonry building, and a masonry repair plan should be devised accordingly.
Masonry repairs can include everything from re-pointing to patching and repairing damaged brick units. Re-pointing involves replacing old mortar with new mortar of the same strength and composition as the original mortar. This is an essential part of masonry restoration, and it can help to keep the underlying brick, stone or concrete from being exposed to too much water.
The most common masonry repairs are to fix damage caused by impacts, such as cracks that are a result of movement or the impact from a car or other vehicle. Cracks can also be caused by the contraction and expansion of masonry due to changes in temperature or by the natural freeze-thaw cycle. In some cases, the masonry unit may be completely removed and replaced with an appropriate replacement.
Repairs to damaged masonry units should be made as close as possible in size and appearance to the existing unit. This will ensure that the repaired area is as functional and visually compatible as the rest of the masonry. In addition, any masonry repair should be as minimal as possible in order to preserve the historic integrity of the structure.
Masonry repairs should be carefully designed to preserve the structural and visual integrity of a historical or existing building. These repairs should not be confused with a building restoration, which is usually a larger and more involved project. Restoration projects typically involve restoring a building to its original appearance.
Historic masonry structures can be difficult to maintain and repair, but with proper care they can continue to serve their owner for generations. Regular masonry repairs and maintenance can extend the life of a masonry building significantly, and they can prevent the need for costly restorations. The best way to ensure that a historic masonry structure is properly cared for and protected is to have a thorough inspection done by qualified professionals.
Repairing Control Joints
Masonry is a common construction material, and many buildings are constructed of brick or stone. Some building use masonry as the primary structure, while others incorporate other materials such as wood or steel but have a masonry facade to add interest and beauty to the exterior. When a masonry structure experiences damage, it is important to hire a professional mason to repair the damaged areas and restore the structural integrity of the building.
Control joints are vertical weak planes intentionally built or cut into masonry to control where cracking occurs. They are typically required in concrete block masonry structures, but are recommended in any masonry system expected to experience net shrinkage, including precast concrete and cast stone.
When properly detailed and located, movement joints can help reduce the damaging effects of expansion, contraction, moisture related shrinkage, lateral forces and other structural stresses. The type, location and spacing of these joints depend on a variety of factors, including the masonry material, climatic conditions, size and shape of the building, and the experience and expertise of the contractor.
Most cracks in masonry walls are the result of failure to provide adequate design provisions for movement within the structure. Most of these structural failures occur at the interface of masonry veneers and window or door frames, where inadequate gaps between the frame and the masonry are created. These gaps provide a pathway for moisture to penetrate the wall, which is the leading cause of water penetration and freeze-thaw damage.
In order to minimize the occurrence of these cracks, designers are encouraged to illustrate and dimension gaps at the interface of the masonry veneers with window and door frames in their construction documents. These dimensions should be used to locate movement joints which, when properly detailed and located, can help prevent cracking of the masonry veneers at these openings.
To prevent moisture intrusion through these openings, a good quality caulk or joint sealant should be used. QUIKRETE Masonry Sealant is ideal for this purpose, as it has the proper formulation to accommodate expansion and contraction of masonry, while providing a long-lasting, weathertight seal. To properly install this product, it is first necessary to clean the surface of the joint by scrubbing it with a stiff bristle brush and scrub pad. Then, the gap should be backer rodd with a masonry jig and caulked with a high-strength, solvent-based polyurethane joint filler.
Repairing Damaged Stone
The stone surfaces of a wall should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage and to ensure that the building has an attractive appearance. Small problems, such as cracked mortar or crumbling stone, can be dealt with quickly and inexpensively. More serious problems may require more extensive repair or even restoration by a commercial masonry contractor. Regular inspections by a masonry professional can help identify problem areas and prevent expensive and time-consuming repairs later on.
The first step in repairing stone masonry is to clean the damaged area of debris, dirt and loose mortar. Then, the cracks and gaps should be dampened with water to promote a good bond between the new repair material and the existing masonry. Depending on the size and location of the cracks or gaps, different types of repair materials will be used. For example, smaller gaps can be filled with a lime grout mix, while larger cracks or voids should be patched using a specialized stone epoxy or other product.
Once the cracks and gaps have been repaired, any damaged or missing stones should be replaced with similar stone. Before applying the replacement stone, it is important to find an appropriate stone that will match the existing texture and color of the wall. After the replacement stone has been carefully cut, it should be misted and then spread with a mason’s trowel over an area of the wall that is slightly larger than the cavity it will fill. It is also helpful to use a pointing tool to create grooves in the mortar for increased adhesion to the stone.
For more severe defects, sandblasting and dry pointing (injecting mortar into horizontal pores of a masonry surface) can be used to restore stone surfaces. However, these methods are not suitable for all exposures or for all stone types and should be limited to very sheltered walls. A more comprehensive approach to repairing stone masonry includes the use of a variety of repointing techniques, including traditional saddle joints that direct rainwater flowing onto cornices and other projecting elements away from perpendicular joints.