Masonry buildings are built to be sturdy and long-lasting, but they are not indestructible. If your home or business has brickwork, it is essential that you perform regular maintenance to protect the structure from damage. However, unaddressed brick deterioration can ruin the appearance of a brick wall and impact its structural integrity. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to prevent brick deterioration from occurring in your home or business. Here are some tips for avoiding problems in your brickwork.
Identify Signs of Damage
The first and most vital thing that you should do to prevent issues with the bricks is to keep an eye out for signs of damages. Too much moisture around the bricks can cause spalling, which is when there is a crack in the bricks. In addition to cracking, the bricks can also begin to crumble, flake, or fall out of the structure. If a brick falls off, it becomes a safety hazard because the rest of the structure can fall away.
Make Sure There is Proper Drainage
You can not prevent rain from falling on your bricks, but you can mitigate the effects by maintaining a proper drainage system. Be sure to remember this includes the structure underneath your property as well. Water that collects in the soil can seep up through a brick structure or even seep into the building’s foundation if you are not careful.
Be Careful When Digging
If you are doing construction on the exterior of your property, you must be aware of where you are digging to prevent damaging the structure. If you plan to use heavy machinery or conduct significant work around your brickwork, avoid working too close to your wall or masonry as the vibration from the equipment can damage the bricks.
Be Aware of Expanding Bricks
Bricks are known to expand as a result of their environment. Simply, bricks grow in size over time, which causes them to be cramped together despite how minute the expansion can be. Many people are unaware that expansion joints can help with this issue. An expansion joint holds bricks together. The joints act as a buffer that is applied to the brickwork to protect it from changes in temperature and moisture expansion.
Avoid Powerwashing
Powerwashers are a convenient tool for quickly cleaning a wall or building. But, power washing can damage your brick structure. Power-washing excessively could lead to brick deterioration and property damage.
Contact Del Prete Masonry Today!
Whether you are ready to start your next masonry project or are still hesitant and have questions, Del Prete Masonry is here to help. We have the experience and expertise to get it right the first time. Questions? Want to visit some of our residential or commercial projects? Ready to set up a consultation? Feel free to give us a call at 410-683-0650 or visit us online. We are happy to serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and to keep up with our new and exciting projects, be sure to Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Tags: Commercial Brick Restoration, Commercial Masonry Restoration, masonry demolition