The cracking and crumbling of bricks in your home always warrants concern, and can be a sign of a more serious, underlying problem. That said, it could also be something that can be fixed relatively easily and inexpensively by an experienced masonry contractor.
Most importantly, cracked bricks should never be ignored, whatever is their cause, and you should always call an expert out to look at the damage and put your mind at ease.
What can cause bricks to crack?
There are a variety of external forces that can have an impact on bricks cracking, and while some are naturally occurring, others may signal a problem with the foundations. However, brick cracking isn’t always a sign of something worrying, and could just be an indication that your house is settling naturally.
If settling isn’t causing the bricks to crack, then water retention may be the culprit. Naturally porous, bricks absorb water when exposed to it, and if it doesn’t evaporate quickly, it can cause the bricks to expand and cause cracks.
The mortar between the bricks may also be deteriorating in your wall, something which can occur naturally over time due to exposure to the elements or to water and certain minerals. If caught early enough, this type of problem can usually be rectified with the help of a masonry contractor.
Do you need to worry about cracked bricks?
Cracked bricks can be unsightly, or they can be an indicator of a more serious problem; without expert analysis, you may never know.
Should you see any of the following warning signs, you can safely assume that your bricks need immediate attention from a masonry contractor:
- windows or doors are sticking or not functioning due to changes in the brick wall structure
- dramatic changes in shape, length, or direction of a crack
- cracking near the roof or foundation of your home
- leaning brick chimney
How are cracked bricks repaired?
If not caused by a foundation problem, your cracked bricks can usually be repaired quite easily, but for more extensive damage, you may need to have a foundation repair company come and assess the problem, too.
Some of the cracked brick repair services you can ask a local masonry contractor to carry out are as follows:
- Brick replacement
- Mortar joint repair
- Brick repair
- Brick resurfacing
- Chimney repair
If you’ve noticed cracks in your brickwork, a masonry contractor will be able to inspect the damage and identify any minor or major damage.
The damage may be minor or significant, but ideally, with regular self-inspections of your brickwork, minor damage can be caught and repaired, before it becomes major damage. If you’ve got concerns about your cracked or crumbling brickwork, reach out to a masonry contractor and have them perform an on-site inspection, before recommending the next course of action to take.