Why Fixing Bulging Bricks Should Be Your #1 Priority

Why Fixing Bulging Bricks Should Be Your #1 Priority

Bulging bricks are a serious but often ignored masonry issue. The bulging often starts from moisture retention in the brick mortar joint, which gradually swells in volume. This is similar to how potholes form on the road.

The problem often exacerbates after the winter months. If you notice your bricks bulging, contacting a skilled masonry service as soon as possible should be a priority for the reasons stated below.

What Causes Bricks to Bulge?

This bent brick problem should be resolved as soon as possible. The image of your wall collapsing into one dusty heap should be enough to give you the shivers. Any humidity buildup at the rear of the wall will cause it to deteriorate quicker, increasing the danger of collapse.

Here are the possible causes behind the bulging bricks in your structure:

  • Excessive moisture in the wall cavities, causing ice to develop in the winter;
  • deteriorated mortar joints enabling excessive water to flow in;
  • Excessive rust on anchors, causing the wall to sag;
  • Cracks in the wall, and so on.

Why You Need to Fix Bulging Bricks ASAP

Bulging bricks are only the start. If the problem is not resolved, it has the potential to spread throughout the structure. As a result, to gain a better perspective on the issue, consider the significance of repairing bulging bricks below:

1. It’s a Ticking Hazard

If the bricks are not repaired promptly, the possibilities can range from an unsightly building to a total collapse. The swelling bricks will eventually give way to the pressure. As a result, they may collapse, compromising the integrity or stability of your building’s structure.

2. It’ll Cost More Down the Road

As you are aware, minor fractures in the wall can develop into significant splits. However, you may save money by repairing the bulging bricks quickly. It will be less expensive, and your structure’s stability will be restored. Furthermore, talking with a professional sooner makes it easier to resolve the issue, regardless of where it occurs.

Professionals may finish this job without having to disrupt your daily routine, depending on the damage severity. The professional mason can even implement preventive measures on the newly-repaired wall to avoid safety and cost issues in the future.

3. Save You Time and Energy

You don’t have to waste your entire work week getting dirty while trying to repair your wall. Professional masonry will take care of everything, even removing the dirt off the wall. As a result, you can go home to a secure, protected and clean-looking property as if nothing had occurred.

How to Locate and Identify Bulging Sections in Your Brick Structure

The bulging bricks should be pretty easy to spot. Your windows might no longer appear level with the brick. Portions of your brick structure should protrude further than the other sections. Lastly, there may be new fractures in your mortar you’ve never seen before.

Final Thoughts

If you see any of the signs, call a professional right away. The longer you wait, the worse the situation will get, especially if it endures through winter.

Red Robin Masonry offers top-quality masonry services in Toronto. We specialize in all different kinds of brickwork, and that includes brick bulge repair. Contact us today to learn more!

Function and Design: What You Need to Know about Parging

One of the greatest feelings in life is finally having a home to call your own. Whether you already have a family or not, it’s one of those things that you will forever be proud of. That said, there’s a reason why getting a home of your own is one of life’s most significant achievements. It doesn’t come easy.

Financially, you have to reach a certain point before you can take the leap to get home. And even then, it still takes a lot of time, money, and effort before you can call it your home. Nothing gets built in a day. Everything from the planning stage, the construction, and the completion will take a lot of time. You have to consider every detail to ensure it’s well-constructed and beautiful as well.

The safety and durability of your home should always come first. But that doesn’t mean that the visual aspect should take a back seat. Both are important, but the design should always be functional and visually appealing.

One element of your home that you should pay particular attention to is parging. It is vital to any wall for protection against the elements and more.

Here we’ll discuss what you need to know about parging:

What is Parging?

Parging is the process of using a mixture of cement, sand, and water to cover small areas and coat the surface of various materials—for example, blocks. It is used as a protective layer on top of the exposed portions of your home’s foundation walls.

Although its primary purpose is to add a layer of protection, it also serves to improve the appearance of your home. It hides all imperfections, marks, and other things left on your foundation walls. It’s essential to understand what it is and its purpose before you hire professional parging services.

Types of Parging Mixtures

Professional parging services can choose from two of the most commonly used parging mixtures or coatings. It can be helpful to know the difference between the two so that you can play a more active role during your home’s construction. Your input and preferences will be valuable to contractors.

  • Cement-Based

Cement-based coatings and mixtures consist of cement, water, lime, and sand. This mixture is typically sold as a pre-made mix, making it more convenient for contractors and DIY home builders.

Because parging also has decorative purposes, you will find a wide range of mixes that come in various colours. This is a very durable mixture that will serve all of its purposes well. It’s a bonus that this mixture adheres well to any surface.

  • Acrylic

Acrylic mixtures are not that different from cement-based mixtures. It still contains cement, just in lesser quantities. Instead, it has more adhesive and fibreglass. If you want a more modern look, the acrylic parging mixture or coating will work best for you.

This type of mixture or coating is better for water insulation and offers more versatility than cement-based mixtures. The best choice ultimately depends on your preference.

Conclusion

Foundation parging is an essential part of building your home. It provides a protective layer over your home’s foundation walls and covers any cracks, marks, or imperfections that may have formed on your walls.

If you want to ensure that your home looks good and is well-protected. Whether you’re building your home or fixing it up, it’s vital to get a contractor that provides parging services. Your home is more than just a roof over your head. It’s your sanctuary. Make sure that looks good and stays protected.

You can put your trust in Red Robin Masonry to complete your parge with care and precision.   Not only will your foundation benefit from a protective coat of mortar, but the finished look is also aesthetically pleasing. Contact us today to learn more or request a quote for the best parging services in Ontario, Canada.

How to Prevent Problems in Your Home’s Brickwork

Your home must always be in top condition so that you can enjoy the comfort that it brings. If not, then your home will sustain damages, and you’ll have to spend exorbitant amounts of money. It’s even more crucial to do so if your home is made out of bricks because it will crumble if left unattended, which is very expensive and time-consuming to repair.

In most homes that have brickwork, it’s usually the chimney. Brick chimneys are incredibly high-maintenance, and spalling is the most common issue. Spalling refers to cracks found in the brickwork, and it typically occurs in places with colder climates, such as Toronto.

You must maintain your home’s brickwork. The good news is that there are ways for you to prevent them before they even happen in the first place, which will be discussed in this article. Read on below to learn more.

Keep an Eye Out for Signs of Damage

The first and foremost thing that you should do to prevent problems with the bricks is to look out for signs of damages. As mentioned earlier, brick spalling occurs when there’s a crack in the bricks, but the cause of this is moisture.

Aside from cracking, the brick itself can also crumble, flake, or pop out of the structure entirely. If a brick pops off, it becomes a safety hazard because the rest of the structure can fall off.

Some of the factors that cause spalling are as follows:

  • Poor construction
  • Using too much pressure when power washing a chimney
  • Extreme weather conditions and changes

It’s worth noting that there’s not much anyone can do when it comes to the weather, making damage monitoring all the more critical.

Spalling can also inadvertently cause you health problems as well. Moisture in the brickwork attracts mould, which can cause health problems such as itching and the skin and eyes turning red. Those who have asthma may experience more severe reactions such as respiratory problems.

Be Aware of Brick Expansion

Bricks are known to expand because of the environment they’re in. To put it plainly, bricks increase in size over time, which causes them to be cramped regardless of how minuscule the size increase may be. Not many people know this, but expansion joints can help in the matter.

An expansion joint is something that holds bricks together. The joints act as a filler applied to the brickwork to safeguard it from changes in temperature and moisture expansion. However, it’s also vital to remember that the usage of expansion joints will depend on the brickwork’s structure.

Have a Proper Drainage System Installed

Since moisture (and, by extension, water) is the leading cause of brickwork problems, you must install an excellent drainage system. The drainage system must move water away from the brickwork’s structure.

Try and check if the drainage system does precisely that. If it does, then you’re in the clear. If not, then you’ll need to hire a contractor to work on rerouting the drainage system. It can cost you, but it’s better to do it now so that you won’t have any more problems later on.

Conclusion

Chimney importance is crucial for the survival of your home’s brickwork. If you don’t attend to it, you will be dealing with many structural problems, which are time-consuming and expensive. Think about it this way: you’re not only saving your home but also you and other people who live with you.

Red Robin Masonry specializes in giving top-quality masonry services in Toronto. We believe that your home is your haven, which is why our contractors who specialize in all types of brickwork will do everything they can to keep it that way. Contact us today to learn more!

A Brief Guide on Masonry: What Exactly Does a Mason Do

Not to be confused with the Freemasons, masonry is one of the oldest skilled trades in the world, dating as far back as six thousand years ago. But what exactly does a mason do? Well, this article will cover the basics you need to know about masonry.

What Is a Mason?

A mason is essentially a builder. They can work with a variety of materials and build a range of structures. Due to their expertise in the field, a mason contractor can help you throughout a building project, offering expert opinions that may help you make the most out of the project. They can also specialize in different materials, notably stone, brick, and concrete.

Stonemasons

Stonemasons are stoneworkers that are well-experienced in the handling of stone materials, whether natural or manufactured. They are also equipped to handle veneer products. Stonemasons are often hired to build different installations, such as walls and flooring. With their skill, they can manipulate the stone to fit any design you would wish to have. And if you have any questions regarding the project or need an opinion about the different options you need to choose from, a stonemason can help you out.

Brick Masons

Brick masons are also called bricklayers. They are a type of mason specializing in handling bricks, whether it’s solid, veneer, real, or manufactured. Being a brick mason requires care and attention, as they need to create clean and uniform lines. With no room for mistakes, careful expertise and skill are definitely needed to succeed in this field.

Concrete Masons

This type of mason often works with block and poured concrete. When working with poured concrete, the concrete mason has to perform precise levelling and finishing. They also have to consider the weather, as it can affect the rate the cement hardens. Since concrete often requires support from metal reinforcements, concrete masons must also be able to work with these metal reinforcements.

Masonry Repair

While masonry mainly deals with the building of a structure, a mason’s job is not only limited to that. Some masons may also choose to focus on the maintenance, repair, and restoration of already existing structures. Mason repair and restoration contractors often work on historical structures to help rebuild sections and fix damages.

Common Masonry Work

Masonry work can take many forms. For example, you may hire a stonemason to install beautiful stonework in your garden walkway to enhance your landscaping. Or perhaps you want to get professional work done on your fireplace and chimney to make it a noticeable feature in your home. Homeowners may also hire a mason to get clean lines for their brick walls and install natural stone in their home’s interior as an accent wall.

Final Thoughts

As one of the world’s oldest skilled trades, masonry work can offer a lot of value to your home. Whether you want to build walls or pathways, a mason can help you achieve the desired result and provide you with expert opinions to help guide you through the project.

Get quality masonry work for your home project from Red Robin Masonry. We are a masonry company in Toronto whose top priority is to bring you the quality and service you deserve. With our vast inventory of tools and equipment, we are equipped to take on any project, big or small. At Red Robin Masonry, our job is to ensure that our clients feel comfortable every step of the way. Get a quote today!