For residential and commercial buildings, bricks are highly durable material, but that does not mean you won’t have to invest in the repair or renovation of bricks. Brick walls, chimneys, and porches will start cracking over time and show other signs of damage. Evaluating your bricks and searching for flaws is the best strategy to counteract brick damage. That said, structural or foundational harm may still be unnoticed. In any event, let’s look at five signs that you need home wall repair so that you can take care of the issue before it gets out of control.
Bulging bricks
If bricks tend to “bulge” inward or outward on the exterior of your house, this may be a sign that they need to be fixed. Bulging bricks, also known as “bowed bricks,” is often caused by moisture seeping into the brickwork. Water does not usually directly impact the bricks, but the concrete or wood that supports the bricks.
Compacted bricks
You should usually be able to see the difference of the mortar between each brick. This may be a warning that your brickwork is not structurally sound if the bricks look misshapen or pressed too tightly together. It can also lead to outdoor openings, allowing water to enter and causing more damage.
Vertical cracks
Fortunately, vertical cracks, which can significantly hinder your wall, chimney, or porch integrity, are not as problematic as horizontal or diagonal cracks. Vertical cracks, however, distract from your home’s charm and offer a convenient entry point for moisture. Consequently, to prevent water damage, vertical cracks should be tackled and fixed as soon as possible.
Spalling
The common problem of bricks getting chipped is spalling. While this is usually an aesthetic problem, depending on where and why the spalling happens, it may lead to more questions. For instance, spalling can significantly increase the surrounding bricks’ pressure if spalling occurs due to the shelf angle’s corrosion.
Mortar damage
Mortar serves as the glue that holds your bricks together. If your battery begins to deteriorate or is otherwise damaged, you’ll need to address it as soon as possible. You can typically identify mortar damage because the mortar between bricks will look thin or start to crack and fall apart. If left unrepaired, this will cause bricks to rub against one another and become severely warped over time.
The bottom line
Wall do need some degree of maintenance, considering their longevity and widespread use in homes worldwide. You could end up paying even more for care in the future if you disregard the warnings mentioned above. If and when you’re ready to sell, these issues may also end up reducing the value of your home.
