Can You Recognize Masonry Damage? Signs To Watch For
Whether you're looking at a brick building or even a retaining wall structure, it's important that you know the signs that your masonry construction needs attention. Unfortunately, most people are unfamiliar with the signs of damage to brick masonry work, so they find themselves facing crumbling structures before they call for repair. When you know what to look for, you can have it addressed by a masonry contractor before it deteriorates that far. Here's a look at some of the early signs to look for.
Visible Gaps Around The Bricks
When brick construction is completed, the mortar and brick structure is solid. There are no spaces or gaps between the bricks because it's all filled in and the bricks are compacted tightly together. If you start seeing gaps or spaces around the bricks, even if it's only in one or two spots, you'll want to call a masonry professional. These gaps develop as a result of deterioration of the mortar or settling of the structure. Since the mortar contributes a critical structural support role, you need to address this type of weakening as soon as possible to protect the structure.
Bulging Or Bowed Sections
If you step back and look at the structure from the side, it should be relatively flat and even. Any areas where the brick seems to bulge or bow should be addressed by a masonry professional. This structural shift usually results from moisture accumulated in the mortar or the brick, causing swelling either outward or inward. In either case, it weakens the integrity of the structure and needs to be addressed. The repairs should be done with a moisture barrier added to prevent a recurrence.
White Haze
Hazy, white bricks are not simply an unavoidable side effect of aging. The fact is that bricks with a hazy surface area should be inspected by a masonry professional. In many cases, that haze results from mineral content being drawn out of the brick due to moisture exposure. This means that the brick's overall integrity may be weakening. If you don't address this problem in a timely manner, you may end up with brittle areas in the structure, which ultimately results in crumbling.
It's important to understand what your brick construction is trying to tell you. When you see things like this, it's in your best interest to call a masonry contractor for support. They can help you determine the source of the problem and not only repair the damage but also mitigate the cause so that it doesn't occur again.
Contact a masonry contractor to learn more.
