Bulging or Bowed Bricks: Causes, Prevention, and Repairs

As a homeowner, it can be stressful when you notice some bowed or bulging bricks on your walls. These are often observed after winter and often, these require repair by a professional mason.

 

The Common Culprit of Bulging or Bowed Brick

Generally, water is known to be the main culprit. The high humidity in the walls can lead to the formation of ice during the winter season. This is also why bulging or bowed brick is common after the cold months have passed. In some cases, it can be due to the water making its way through the rusting anchors or damaged mortar joints. As time goes by, the formed and accumulated ice, snow, and water creep in and weaken the structure’s walls.

 

How to Identify a Bulging or Bowed Brick 

If you look closely, the wall seems to appear swelling when there is a bowed or bulging brick. You can also identify this when the windows appear not to be at the same level as the bricks. When these signs are observed, make sure to have the whole façade examined by a reliable mason. The masonry expert will help find the main cause and provide solutions to fix and prevent the problem. 

Fluctuating temperatures can worsen problems with the bricks, so make sure to check for any changes in your walls as the seasons change. After identifying any bulged or bowed brick, make sure to have them repaired immediately.

 

How to Repair a Bulging or Bowed Brick

How a bulged or bowed brick is to be fixed depends on the extent of the damage. The location of the damage and the type of bricks to be used are also some factors that need to be considered. If the job requires repairs only, the cost can be lower. However, when the bricks need to be replaced or restored, a higher cost will be required.

Repairs can be simple, such as using grout to make the wall stronger. There are times when metal plates and special screws will be used to provide additional support. These temporary solutions are ideal only when the condition is not severe. When the problem requires more intensive intervention, bricks should be reinstalled, or the entire wall must be immediately replaced. Do not attempt to DIY as this should only be performed by professionals.

 

How to Prevent Bulging or Bowed Bricks

Preventing bulging and bowing bricks on your wall should be done as soon as possible. You can do this by closely monitoring and checking the walls for cracking mortar and crumbling joints. A simple yet effective measure to prevent these is to make sure that all crevices and cracks are repaired quickly to prevent water from seeping into them and cause further damage.

 

Conclusion

Your walls may look sturdy and damage-free. But upon closer look, you’ll notice that there can be some flaws or cracks that need immediate attention. When you discover that there are bulging or bowed bricks in the walls, the first thing to do is ask the assistance of a reliable masonry company to do the repair or replacement. 

If you need masonry services in Toronto, Ontario, Red Robin Masonry is the one to call. We provide masonry services, including brickwork and repair. Contact us today for more details!

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Tuckpointing 101: Everything You Need To Know About It

When it comes to changing the aesthetics of your home, the different procedures can be pretty overwhelming, especially when you have to deal with a brick structure. 

Bricks are effective construction materials that provide cladding, allowing your property to have proper insulation and weather-resistant features, all while improving your home’s aesthetics. However, over time, the mortar used to fill joints may deteriorate — this is where tuckpointing comes into the picture. 

Tuckpointing is a great technique that enhances the appearance of masonry. This procedure removes portions of deteriorating mortar and fills it with new mortar that closely matches the colour of the bricks. By doing this, you create an illusion of a well-maintained brick structure. 

Seeing that tuckpointing is a tedious process that requires technique and specific materials, it’s best to get credible brick repair services to ensure your property goes back to its original state and enhances its general aesthetics.

If you’re keen on protecting your bricks from total mortar deterioration, read on. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about tuckpointing — from tips to the actual process. Let’s get to it!

 

The Basics of Tuckpointing

When you’re considering some tuckpointing work done, it helps to understand the different terms of masonry. 

  • Pointing: This is the process of filling mortar joints during construction. It also refers to the actual mortar joints and the spaces between each brick in a completed wall. 
  • Repointing: This involves removing old mortar from the joints and replacing it with new, fresh mortar.
  • Tuckpointing: Similar to repointing, the main difference is that you’re using mortar that closely resembles the colour of your bricks. After which, you embed narrow lines of putty in contrasting colours through the center of new mortar joints. 

Many homeowners go for tuckpointing instead of repointing because it creates an appealing and convincing visual illusion, making your wall look like it was constructed with new masonry. 

 

Why Do Mortar Joint Deteriorate?

Before going through tuckpointing and other reconstruction procedures, it pays to know what goes on when mortars begin to fail. 

Deterioration can happen due to a bunch of reasons, such as faulty workmanship, environmental erosion due to extreme temperature and moisture, or the pressure of overhead bricks. Although bricks can last for centuries, you should know that mortars can last for only 25 to 30 years, which means you’ll need to replace them at some point in your property’s lifetime. 

 

Why Should I Let Professionals Handle This?

While many homeowners love do-it-yourself projects, it’s best to leave it to the professionals when it comes to tuckpointing. 

Tuckpointing is a labour-intensive method that requires a lot of skill and extreme precision to successfully create an illusion of level mortar joints. Seeing that it’s an incredibly meticulous project, seeing a slight off-kilter portion can make the whole project look sloppy and unfinished. 

With that being said, it’s best to get reputable brick repair services from trusted companies to ensure proper installation and resetting, resulting in a fantastic-looking new wall or chimney. 

 

The Bottom Line: Give Your Bricks that Overdue Love and Care It Deserves

Tuckpointing is a fantastic way to breathe in new life to your brick structure. Whether you’re dealing with bricks in the exterior of the interior of your home, you want to ensure that it gets proper upkeep and looks good as news, especially when exposed to various triggers. 

Thankfully, Red Robin Masonry provides exceptional brick repair services. This way, you can give your brick structure that much-needed upgrade and give it the love and care it deserves.

 

Why Work with Red Robin Masonry?

 

Your home is undeniably one of your biggest investments. So when it comes to maintenance and repairs, it’s best to work with the right contractors to ensure that all your home projects are done with excellent technique and service. 

Red Robin Masonry is the most respected and trusted masonry company in Ontario. Our services include chimney and fireplace services, tuckpointing, parging, brickwork, stonework, and concrete and foundation services.

If you’re looking for brick repair services in Scarborough, give us a call at 416-206-8859 and ask for a quote today!

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Brick by Brick: Which Is Better Between Concrete & Clay?

Easily described as one of the most prominent construction methods the world has ever seen, masonry is undoubtedly associated with unhampered durability and resistance. 

While contemporary methods are more commonly used than ever, the fact is that the approach in question strikes a chord with homeowners and builders looking to prioritize quality above all else. Considering that masonry systems themselves have stood the test of time against anything they go against or have struggled with, you’re most likely thinking about using them to put your next project together. 

Suppose you’re at a point where you’re looking into the possibility of banking on the benefits of using masonry construction methods for your next project. In that case, there’s no doubt that the method is a worthy consideration. Once you dabble into the whole string of tasks and choices that you’ll need to handle for your construction project, you’ll end up needing to choose between using two types of bricks: concrete and clay.

 

Breaking down the importance of these materials

When you hear about masonry structures, the first thing that comes to mind is that they still consistently outperform all other construction methods. However, it’s important to know that the kind of durability these types of projects are best known for won’t be made possible without the kinds of bricks needed for such an effect. This is where concrete and clay bricks come into the picture.

Over the years, these bricks have become a topic of discussion among builders and future homeowners alike because they’re responsible for any masonry structure’s environmental and mechanical resistance. Yet, always remember that the success of your project all boils down to choosing the right type of brick, meaning that they’re far from being interchangeable (as most people expect them to be). 

 

A tale of two bricks

Now that you’re about to start building your home or project with masonry principles, it’s important to know the difference between concrete and clay bricks because of how each choice offers a unique experience. To help you end up with a type of choice that best suits your needs and preferences once you enlist the help of Red Robinson Masonry to build your structure, let’s first go over both brick options in greater detail: 

 

Concrete

Seeing its beginning as a building material in the mid-19th century, the humble concrete block has undoubtedly become an iconic staple in the strongest and longest-standing projects worldwide.

Today, these blocks have become a must-consider for those looking to build a home with masonry principles because of the immense benefits they provide anywhere they’re put. Here are some of the most essential benefits that make concrete blocks an essential option worth considering, thanks to their precise unit measurements and modular characteristics: 

  • Sound structural resistance
  • Thermal and acoustic insulation
  • Fast and easy installations 

 

Clay bricks

If a project built with masonry principles doesn’t use concrete bricks, then it’s probably using clay bricks. 

Regarded as one of the most fundamental and durable building materials ever invented, these materials have been used in construction for thousands of years because they use naturally occurring materials. Through the use of a complex mixture of minerals (typically in varying proportions) that is later on mixed, moulded, dried, and fired, these bricks yield valuable benefits, such as:

 

  • Increased durability
  • Aesthetic appeal
  • Fire resistance
  • Structural strength
  • Energy efficiency 

 

Conclusion

While there are many different factors that go into establishing the durability and dependability of a project made with a masonry-based approach, the bricks that are used make a significantly larger difference. By taking this guide into consideration, you’ll be able to ensure that you choose the right option for your project that best suits your needs and preferences! 

Are you looking for brick repair services in Toronto? Get in touch with our leaders in masonry services to see how we can help!

3 Main Reasons Why Resorting to Parging Often Fails

Parging is a tried-and-true masonry technique used to conceal visible parts of your building’s foundation, mostly seen among residential properties. While you may think that it is essentially foolproof—especially since it should last for up to 30 to 50 years—most completed projects often don’t last as long, leading to major repairs. Fortunately for you, there have been identifiable mistakes that most amateur contractors make. 

 

  • Low-quality mix

As customary for many masonry applications, you need to have a high-quality mix to allow your bricks and other components to adhere effectively. Unfortunately, you may add too much water, which is often one of the most common causes of issues. It leads to low strengthening qualities, making the structure more susceptible to weathering. Aside from this, you may put in too much sand, which often yields the same results. 

Besides water and sand amounts, a lack of chemical additives to ensure easier mixing can lead to a poorly made mixture. Thus, you should always measure your ratios for mixing and add more to balance out the yield. 

Also, you have to be mindful of your mixing and air entrainment to keep the consistency favourable and ready for use. Due to all these factors, only experienced masonry tradespeople should make the mix to ensure proper yield without wasting resources. 

 

  • Parging material used is too old 

 

Throughout the masonry process, you may be using old parging materials. In other words, you may have tampered with them too much instead of giving them ample time to work, which is 30 minutes to an hour. This timeframe is important because you need to let it set before working on the structure again. Otherwise, it can lead to a premature parging job, affecting the overall quality. 

As such, it is recommended that the persons in charge of parging should be time-oriented to avoid overmixing. The tools used must also be quality-checked and given the seal of approval from an experienced masonry professional. Most importantly, you should be assured of a warranty or policy for repairs when something goes wrong. 

 

  • Temperature issues 

 

As you may already know, most masonry contractors only perform major projects during fairly warm temperatures. It ensures that the structure cures in time. Thus, if you get into a situation wherein someone is willing to do parging during the winter, be skeptical about it because it is highly likely that it is a scam. A dramatic drop in temperature lets water seep into the parging material, which will freeze over then expand. As a result, you end up with cracked parging. 

Another temperature issue you have to watch out for is during the summer months. It is because most mixes have chemical additives that react negatively with parging. In the end, you will have to call for a replacement coating by the end of the year as the heat prevents proper cement bonding. Thus, always plan a date ahead of time and coordinate with your masonry contractor to guarantee a successful parging. 

 

Conclusion 

As you can see, there are plenty of ways that parging can go wrong. Because of this, it would be best to prepare for this huge undertaking in advance and follow the appropriate procedures as carefully as possible. Meanwhile, if you know you don’t have the masonry skills, resources, and expertise to pull this off, simply contact our professionals to ensure you avoid all the formerly mentioned problems and other related issues. 

Red Robin Masonry can provide you with the best parging services Toronto has to offer. We are your dedicated team of masonry professionals, allowing you to do major repairs and new construction projects for your needs and preferences. Request a quote today to have a better idea of our cost-effective solutions.