Any property owner whose home or business is fabricated primarily from brick or stone needs to be concerned about the potential need for Masonry repair in Philadelphia, PA. Putting off repairs for too long can have disastrous consequences, ranging from leaks to heat loss or even structural damage. It’s a better idea to keep an eye out for the following signs that it’s time to call an expert in masonry repair to schedule an evaluation.
Bulging Bricks
If moisture is allowed to seep through the cracks between bricks, it can have serious consequences. The moisture can either warp the bricks themselves, causing them to bulge outward, or it can soften the wood behind the bricks, causing them to sink in. Either way, the affected bricks must be removed and the damage behind them fixed before they can be replaced with new bricks and the section of wall can be rebuilt.
Vertical Corner Cracks
Foundation cracks are always a sign of trouble, and although vertical cracks aren’t generally a symptom of serious distress, they can lead to water damage over time by allowing water to seep behind the bricks and into the inner wall. It is much more efficient to simply repair these cracks before they wind up causing more costly damage. The fix is simple: a mason can either fill the crack with an epoxy or urethane injection or install an expansion joint to take stress off the corner.
Compacted Bricks
When bricks become compacted they start to lose their original shape and take on a cracked or bowed appearance. This opens up holes for water to get through and causes the bricks adjacent to the affected ones to bow as well. Replacing the affected bricks as quickly as possible and underpinning the foundation to prevent further damage is the best course of action.
Get Help Now
Already seeing signs that it’s time to look into masonry repair in Philadelphia, PA but not sure where to get started? Mara Restoration is a local company that can perform a wide variety of masonry repairs on commercial, residential, and even historic buildings. Learn more about them online today.
