Even the toughest and most impressive stone, or brick, buildings will show signs of wear and tear as time goes by. Sometimes, a crack will show up here and there, or there’s a small spalling spot on your wall. Usually, these tiny defects will not affect the structure of the building a lot, apart from being aesthetically displeasing. However, there are some serious issues that will require you to call a masonry repair service provider immediately, as they can have a significant impact on the integrity of the entire structure.
Spalling of the shelf angle
This is a common issue in masonry repair, and it is a dangerous one that needs immediate attention. The shelf angle is a little piece of metal, L-shaped, that goes behind a row of bricks with the purpose of distributing the weight of the bricks between the house and the ground more evenly.
A spalling, often misspelled as spaulding, is a common occurrence. It happens when a section of your wall is peeling away because water has entered the structure. If the water reaches deep enough to the shelf angle, then corrosion will follow en suite, and it will not be able to properly distribute the weight of the structure. This means that structural collapse will be a possible consequence.
If you call a masonry repair service, a masonry expert will help you replace the shelf angle before they give in. This process will take a lot of time and does not come cheap, however.
Efflorescence
Efflorescence is another common problem. It occurs when tiny grains of salt show up on the surface of your building, creating spots of white on the bricks. There are many reasons why this phenomenon happens, but, for the most part, the salt forms when water, be it rainwater or groundwater evaporates, leaving behind a deposit of salt.
Efflorescence can be easily cleaned up by using high-pressure water hoses. However, if you leave the problem as it is for too long, cleaning the brick with water will no longer do the trick. In this case, you will need the assistance of expert masons who will clean the structure with vinegar or specialized chemical compounds.
Mortar damage
The mortar between the bricks is what binds them together. If there is any damage to this mortar layer, such as disintegrating mortar, you should definitely call a masonry repair service. Without a healthy layer of mortar between the bricks, they might become loose and damaged, which could potentially lead to dreadful collapses.
Why hire masonry repair experts
Masonry experts can often help strengthen the mortar, but only if it is not too extensively damaged. If the damage is too great, you will have to opt for a replacement service.
Routine masonry repair is essential in keeping your building up and running for years to come. If you don’t know whether the tiny crack on the wall will become troublesome in the future or not, let our experts at Masonry Dr know, and they will provide you with the appropriate advice and services.
