Are Your Bricks Starting to Crack?
Brick construction can an attractive addition on any home, however, broken bricks are not aesthetically pleasing to the eye. And most homeowners need to learn the basics when it comes to brick crack repair, in order to keep their home attractive for many years to come. Though some do prefer to hire a contractor to perform the more complicated repair jobs, much of the basic upkeep can be performed by anyone.
Cracks in bricks may often seem unimportant, however, even the most inconsequential cracks can grow rapidly. And, where there is one crack, the chances are more will follow. The 2 main cracks are active, these do spread over time, and passive ones will not. Active cracks will often mean the bricks need to be replaced, however, passive cracks which do not spread can usually be repaired.
The most commonly used method for brick crack repair is repointing, meaning the removal and replacement of old mortar. It is advisable to wear eye protection when using a brick chisel, drill or screwdriver, to clean the crack of debris or crumbled brick pieces. Spraying the crack with some water will make sure all the debris is removed.
The next step will be to mix the mortar and let it dry in an inconspicuous part of the brick to see it is the right color. Once done, then you can start to use it with a trowel. The area needs to be sprayed with water for approximately a week once the repair is done. This stage is extremely important, which is where your garden hose will be an invaluable tool during this phase.
Should there be any unwanted residue left over once your brick repair is completed, it can be removed with the aid of muriatic acid. It is advisable that gloves and safety goggles are worn when using this, in fact, a mask should be worn when removing the old mortar from the structure. If you have started to notice any issues with your brickwork and are a resident of the Hillsboro, OR area, please feel free to call us at New Village Masonry & Construction today at (503) 339-8482.