Extending the lifespan of your home’s brickwork is easy to achieve when you seek support and guidance from a masonry contractor in your area.
Just as with any other type of construction material that’s exposed to the elements, wear and tear can take its toll over the years, and masonry in particular, is highly vulnerable to such degradation. Fortunately, all it takes is a little maintenance to help keep brickwork looking as clean and fresh as the day it was laid, and with pointing provided by an expert masonry contractor, you could help preserve the look and functionality of your home.
Repointing is a technique in which the mortar between bricks and other forms of masonry is repaired, to prevent water and moisture from further penetrating the brickwork and causing more damage. Where bricks are concerned, water can do a lot of damage, and both techniques of repointing and tuckpointing can make masonry materials more moisture resistant.
Tuckpointing is a method that involves the use of two mortar colors that contrast, in brickwork’s joints; one color will match that of the bricks, to help give the illusion that very fine joints have been created. The mortar joints in question are finished with cement or lime mortar, to help enhance their weather resistant properties, and enhance the structures overall aesthetic appeal.
When carried out by professional masonry contractors, both tuckpointing and repointing can help homeowners put a stop to costly repairs and dangerous damage to the foundation.
If you’re worried that your brickwork might need some professional care and attention, here are some common indicators:
- The bricks are beginning to crumble
A clear sign of something known as spalling, when brickwork begins to crumble, it often means that moisture has become trapped inside the bricks and is expanding as a result of the cycle of freezing and thawing. When this cycle continues, both the mortar and the bricks start to crumble, which if left untreated, can lead to serious structural damage.
When this happens, the damaged bricks and mortar can be replaced to ensure the structural integrity of your home.
- The chimney has sprung a leak
Leaks are always bad news, and if you’ve seen water coming out of your chimney or from your ceiling, then there is a hole, gap or crack somewhere in the masonry that needs to be repaired, fast. To prevent a leak from threatening the structural integrity of your home, address the issue swiftly by asking a masonry contractor to visit and assess the problem, before treating it.
- You can see cracks on the exterior of your home
Cracks anywhere on the outside of your home are a clear indicator that something has gone very wrong under, or behind the movement, and that some significant structural movement has taken place. Not only does such cracking make you home look unsightly, but it puts the entire structure at risk.
All problems with your home’s masonry are best tackled swiftly and professionally, as ignoring such problems will only ever lead to them getting worse, and ultimately, to the cost racking up. Restorative and preventative measures for masonry are always worth the investment, and will help preserve your home for longer, while maintaining its appearance, too.