Most of the time, we don’t usually check the inner structure of our own home, so it’s quite difficult to tell whether there’s a problem that requires masonry repair service or not. Sure enough, sometimes you might cast a glance or two at the walls, but to check for internal damage, you will need professional eyes and tools for the job.
However, that is not to say you can’t detect problems by yourself. Here are 3 telling signs that might indicate more serious problems. If these signs show up on a section of your wall, you should definitely consider contacting a masonry repair service to assess the damage.
Bulging brick
Bulging brick, otherwise known as bowed brick, is a common occurrence in masonry repair. When a brick bugles, it will be displaced, bending inward instead of being in line with other bricks in the row. There are multiple causes for this issue. It is due to deterioration in the mortar between the bricks, caused by water seepage. Whenever there is too much humidity between the bricks, the mortar layer will run a risk of being damaged, thus causing bricks to bulge out of their place.
Masonry repair experts will deal with the problem by taking away the damaged section and replace the mortar with a new one, made from the same material. This will ensure your building will not be at risk of collapsing.
Vertical cracks on the wall
Vertical cracks aren’t quite intimidating. They might make the wall look bad and ugly, but they aren’t usually serious and won’t indicate a collapsing wall. However, you should also take them into account, because that vertical crack will serve as the entry point for water to infiltrate into your wall’s internal structure. Water and high humidity, in general, are the bane of mortar, so if you leave the cracks as they are for too long, the internal structure of the wall might be seriously damaged. For this reason, even if they seem like harmless cracks, it’s best to hire a masonry repair expert to patch them up before they can cause serious issues.
Compacted bricks
Compacted bricks occur when your brick are deformed, either by wear and tear or by environmental effects. It is dangerous because once your bricks are deformed, they will not be able to properly bear the pressure of the structure. This means that there will be more stress on the lower tier of bricks, making them more likely to become compacted, much like the dominoes effect. For this reason, you should hire experts to handle compacted bricks as soon as possible. They are quite easy to notice, so you shouldn’t miss them.
Consult with masonry repair professionals
Regular masonry repair and inspection is the key to a reliable stone building. If you lack the skills and the tools required to detect serious underlying masonry issue, do give us a shout. Our experts will gladly book an appointment with you and give a thorough check to see if there is any problem to be addressed.
