Masonry and brick are extremely durable materials that can last a lifetime if properly maintained. Nonetheless, despite the incredible strength of brick and mortar, cracks can still occur. Bricks crack for a variety of reasons; house settling, external damage, and weather are frequent perpetrators of brick cracks. Here in Indiana, the freezing and thawing that occurs during fall, winter, and spring months can put a strain on your masonry. It is not uncommon to see resulting brick cracks.
While cracking a brick may be a common concern for homeowners, repairing cracked bricks can seem like a somewhat daunting task. Here is where Brick + Ember Outfitters can help. Our expert team pays special attention to detail, helping you restore your brick or masonry to its former glory, and never compromising the overall look of your home. We know you love your home and your existing masonry, so we take special care to match colors, lines, and textures for a seamless final look.
Damage Assessment
Before we can begin the repair process, our team has to assess the damage. Our expert team examines the damaged masonry and offers you an estimate for repair pricing, timeline, and final product. Some homeowners find that cracks in their brick or masonry can go unaddressed, with hairline cracks and minor cosmetic imperfections not requiring repair. Other homeowners elect for brick replacement or even full restorations of the masonry in question. Brick + Ember Outfitters can also help you estimate the cost of improving the look of already repaired masonry.
Regardless of the scope of the repairs, having an expert examine the damage can help save you time and money in the long-run. While some minor cracks may pose no threat to the welfare of your home or property, others can pose issues for the rest of your home construction and should be addressed immediately. Brick + Ember Outfitters can help you identify the scope and severity of your brick or masonry damage, and help you decide how to approach the problem.
Color Matching
Beyond the practical need for brick repair, the cosmetic requirements of your home should never go unattended. While we at Brick + Ember Outfitters pride ourselves on excellent quality and long lasting work, we also pride ourselves in ensuring your home looks and feels beautiful. One key to preserving the beauty of your home is finding the perfect brick and mortar for the repair, specifically ones that match the color of the original masonry. Some homeowners may have excess mortar and brick facings that already match the original masonry. However, as is the case with most homeowners, if no matching brick and mortar already exist it is up to us to find the perfect match.
Repair
Once the damage has been assessed, an estimate has been given, and the perfect materials have been acquired, all that is left is for Brick + Ember Outfitters to begin the repair. First, our team will examine and clean the site requiring repair, often using a wire brush to remove excess dirt or buildup around the damage. Next, we determine the best way to remove the cracked mortar. Often the best options for mortar removal include a cold chisel or other grinding implements. These tools are used to open up the mortar joints, allowing damaged materials to be removed and replaced.
Once our team has removed excess mortar and cleaned out the joints, the actual process of repair can begin. Open cavities should be cleaned and moistened, then filled with repair mortar. Without proper preparation of the fill site, the mortar will likely shrink and crack again, and without proper application and execution, the end result will likely be weak and unattractive.
Preventative Measures
To help prevent future settling or environmental damage, our team at Brick + Ember Outfitters can also install expansion joints. Sometimes used to provide support where there was once very little, or to relieve stress and prevent further cracking, the option to install expansion joints is one many homeowners opt for. Expansion joints help prevent home and foundation settling and provide structural support to keep your masonry intact for longer. Expansion joints are an excellent preventative measure, and many homeowners find that they require less maintenance and repair over time with the addition of expansion joints.
Whether it be a simple matter of adding repair mortar where a crack had occurred or fully replacing or rebuilding a portion or all of the area in question, our amazing team will ensure your final results are perfection. From brick walls to foundations, to building walls and beyond, our amazing team at Brick + Ember Outfitters can help you restore your brick and masonry to its beautiful former glory, and help preserve your home or business for a lifetime.
