5 Causes of Masonry Damage
Masonry material is one of the oldest, yet most durable building materials used. But just like any other building material, its prone to damage by weather conditions, improper installation and structure settling. From spalling to displacement, here are 5 causes of masonry damage that should be attended to when noticeable to prevent safety hazards or further deterioration.
Spalling
Spalling is when your brick, stone or block de-faces and begins deteriorating. Structural settling can cause spalling just as it can cause splitting. Masonry is a hard, inflexible material and when mass uneven pressure is applied, damage will occur.
Water entry also causes spalling by freezing and thawing. Just like pressure, when freezing occurs it will expand against the rigid masonry material and cause spalling or deterioration. Diverting water and making sure your masonry structure is in top shape is important. If properly maintained, there is no reason why your masonry structure shouldn’t last 50-100 years. Brick spalling is no joke. It can not only cause serious damage to the structural integrity of your home, but it can also cause injury to people standing in its path.
Cracking
Cracking can be caused by nature itself and by the settlement of your home. Cracking is common because home structures shift over time. This can be a simple fix if caught sooner than later. Repairing masonry cracks right away will decrease the likelihood of a further spread of damage. Cracking is also caused by failed mortar joints. Deteriorated and damaged mortar joints are a clear sign that further damage is likely around the corner.
It is critical to call a professional masonry contractor to inspect the damage, explain why this has happened and provide a permanent solution to fix the problem. Doing so will definitely give you the confidence that problems like these will not occur again in the future.
Water Entry
Water entry is preventable. It is important to inspect your home at least once a year to maintain it. It is much easier for a professional to spot areas of concern other than someone who has less experience in this field. Water entry in your masonry structure can cause a vast number of structural problems in your brick, block, stone, chimney, window sills, parging, and foundation. Water entry is a major issue in Canadian climate. When freezing occurs in the winter months, areas that have let water enter will expand, causing your masonry structure to crack, spall, and deteriorate, and most importantly this can cause a great loss in the value of your home.
Staining
Staining is caused by water finding its way through your masonry structure. It can be a visible dark stain, a white stain or simply a wet look. This means we need to identify the area of water entry and close it off right away. Most of the time it is not a serious issue and can be considered cosmetic, but if left unattended, structural issues are right around the corner.
Displacement
Displacement occurs when your masonry structure has shifted or is no longer in its proper position. Important factors to consider are wall ties, proper footing, and water entry. Wall ties can corrode, can be installed incorrectly or not even be installed at all. Wall ties hold your masonry firm to the structure of your home. It is a support anchor system. This ensures movement, bowing or failure will not occur. Foundation footings that fail or shift can cause displacement in your masonry structure as well. Water entry that has found its way behind your masonry structure and is constant, will impact or corrode your brick wall ties, detaching the anchor system. If displacement is noticed, call a masonry contractor, and repair it as soon as possible. It’s important not only to the structure of your home but also to the residents and people who come across it.