How to Repair Your Damaged Brick Foundation: 3 Simple Steps

If your home foundation is made of clay bricks, you have made one of the better decisions when it comes to your housing. Clay bricks are so strong that they are often stronger than concrete and many other building materials. If installed correctly and maintained properly, the bricks held together by quality mortar can last for hundreds of years. However, it does not mean they are completely impervious to damage.

Over time, bricks deteriorate due to old age, the weather, and many other factors. If you think your bricks at home are already looking a bit damaged, but not to the point that your house requires an overhaul foundation repair, perhaps a brick repair service is what you need.

Here are the steps that usually go into this kind of quick foundation repair:

Step 1: Take Out the Damaged Brick

To fully replace the bad ones with new good ones, you have to take them out first. This step is tricky as you need to do it carefully not to damage the surrounding bricks.

You also have to use suitable materials to quickly break the damaged bricks apart, like the mason’s chisel and hammer. Most importantly, wear eye and hand protection when doing this step. You would not want to get specks of dust into your eyes or blisters around your hands as you work.

If you are removing layers of bricks, work from up until you reach the bottom. After removing the bricks, make sure to take out the mortar as well. Then, prepare the area for the new layers of bricks. That means ensuring everything is clean by cleaning it with a wire brush and vacuuming out all sorts of dirt and dust. You can also wipe it clean with water to ensure no leftover debris could affect later’s repair.

Step 2: Prepare Your Mortar

Mortar is the material used to bond bricks and other construction materials. When this material hardens, it turns into a stonelike mass that effectively affixes items. Make sure to prepare this material first before inserting the bricks. Be mindful of your colour choice as well. You would want your newer bricks and mortar to match with the old ones.

The more important tip is to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when mixing the mortar. That way, you can guarantee that it will do its job as it should.

Step 3: Apply the Mortar and Place the Brick

Once your mortar is ready, apply it first before placing your bricks. Make sure that it is distributed well and is uniformly applied throughout for better support. Try putting about an inch of mortar for a better hold. Once done, wet the brick with water and then place it on top of the brick. Layer another mortar on top of it to secure its placement.

What If You Need to Insert a Brick onto an Opening?

The challenge comes when there is a tight opening you need to fill, but it is pretty simple. Here is what you need to do:

  • Slide the new brick into the opening. When you do this, expect the freshly-placed mortar to ooze out a bit.
  • Use the butt end of your trowel to put the brick in the proper position.
  • Once it is in place, add some more mortar to close out the gaps and joints. Scrape away any excess using the same trowel.
  • Repeat until the repair is complete.

Conclusion

You do not always have to break your entire wall if only a few pieces of it are damaged. You can still save some money but experience the same quality foundation by doing a brick repair service. If you think you do not have the right tools or are not confident about the quality of your work, you can always rely on professional contractors to do it on your behalf.

Red Robin Masonry would be perfect for doing the job. We offer brick repair services and other foundation repairs to residents of Toronto. We are an award-winning company with more than 30 years of experience providing remedies to various home needs. Contact us today to book a service.

The Benefits of Utilizing Natural Stonework in Your Project

Building projects are not very easy to handle. Ask any project head on a construction site, and they will all tell you the same thing: there are many things to consider for a build comes to come out exactly as planned. You have your materials, personnel, schedule, etc., with all of them vital for your project. If you overlook even one of them, you may end up with something that lacks vision and aesthetics.

One of the things a head contractor has to be mindful of is the quality of their materials. They must all be high-quality since they are going to hold the structure in place. A weak material will just end up ruining the build by the end, while a strong variant will definitely make it last a lifetime.

Natural stoneworks are one of the main components you may have to take note of every once in a while. While not all structures require them, some homeowners and clients may ask you to apply a couple of them to add a certain flair to the structure.

The thing is, they can do more than just be a decorative piece amongst the build’s major design. If you are not convinced about the benefits of their use, look no further than the examples below.

It Provides a Unique, Natural Design

Some materials used for your walls and other sections may feel too manufactured, plain, and simple. No need to worry, other people may feel the same was as you do, and that is because all homeowners will also try to find alternatives that will bring out the true charm and aesthetics of their property.

Natural stoneworks have varying patterns on them, making sure that not one brick would look identical to others. This is a unique way of approaching your interiors and exteriors, as you will be able to practice variation over uniformity.

It Is Quite Durable

Natural stoneworks may contain different types of rocks and minerals that may strengthen their lifespan. With that being said, you do not need to have it replaced after a couple of years since it would be able to stand the test of time. The minerals in each piece will be sufficient enough to pass through wear and tear, so even if your furniture is leaning on them, they will still be able to retain their original form.

Just be sure to clean them, as durability isn’t a substitute for maintenance, and you will still need to dust off any accumulated dirt or grime over time.

It Can Regulate Noise from the Other Side of the Wall

If you happen to be living with kids, you know how hard it is to try and get a good night’s sleep from time to time. The good news is that natural stoneworks are well insulated against noise, meaning that even if your kids are making a huge ruckus in the other room, you may be able to get some rest due to the complete silence on your side of the wall.

You no longer need to add something to your exteriors as well, as even your neighbour’s weekend barbecues would not be heard at all from within the comfort of your home due to the noise insulation.

Conclusion

Natural stone works may not be the go-to choice for many homeowners during their renovation process, but that doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t be able to try it out. Your contractors may even propose the idea, given that it offers a lot of benefits that may greatly enhance the household’s quality of life.

Its ability to cancel out noise, present a unique design, and maintain its durable quality says a lot about its amazing features. Be sure to apply a couple of them indoors and outdoors and experience home-living unlike ever before.

If you are looking for a company that offers stonework services in Toronto, look no further than our expertise here at Red Robin Masonry. We are a well-trusted masonry company specializing in tuckpointing, parging, brick repair, stonework, amongst other things. Contact us today and let us handle your home stoneworking for you.

Why You Should Hire a Professional for Masonry Repair

When it comes to home improvement projects, people sometimes decide to take on the job themselves. While minor repairs can be fine to do on your own, bigger projects will likely need the help of a professional. But if you’re still hesitating, here are more reasons to hire a professional for masonry repair in your home.

Skills and Expertise

Despite what some people may like to believe, masonry repair is not an easy job. It requires a certain level of skill and expertise to get the job done right. And it’s not just about the quality of work as well. Some masonry repair jobs can be risky to do, especially for a beginner with no prior knowledge of masonry. Without the right knowledge and experience, you may just end up hurting yourself or damaging your property in the process.

Security

To further build on the fact that masonry is a specialized skill, masonry contractors are often required to hold a valid license to work in the industry. In Canada, you would need to complete a three to a four-year apprenticeship program or have over four years of work experience in the masonry trade to be eligible for trade certification.

Since there is a licensing board that supervises masonry contractors, you are assured that they will be abiding by the rules and regulations of the trade. This offers more security, as you know your home construction project is in the right hands. There is also less risk of damage to your property since you are assured that only those that have received appropriate training and have met the other requirements get to hold a license.

Time and Money Savings

Some people decide to go with the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach since they think that they will save money this way. However, this is a common misconception in the masonry field.

While you can probably get away with doing minor repairs, most masonry work would require certain skills and expertise. And without the proper knowledge and training, you can end up with damages that will be more costly than just hiring a masonry company in the first place.

Aside from money, you will also be saving time if you hire a professional instead of going with the DIY approach. Since most homeowners don’t really have much experience in masonry, handling a DIY masonry project will likely take a lot of time, since everything is still new to you. But since masonry contractors are well-experienced in the field already, they can finish the job in a much shorter time.

Resale Value

If you’re planning to sell your home in the future, it would be best to hire a professional mason to do the job instead. They can ensure quality work is done to your home so that your home’s property value does not go down. You can even hire them to make improvements in your home that can help increase your home’s resale value.

Final Thoughts

There is a time and place for doing DIY repairs in your home. But a lot of the time, doing big masonry repairs in your home can do more harm than good. So, it would be better to simply hire a professional masonry company to save you from all the hassle.

Get quality masonry services in Toronto from Red Robin Masonry. We understand the problems many homeowners face when it comes to masonry work, so it is always our aim to alleviate and avoid them. We pride ourselves on doing what we say we’re going to do and on time. Request a quote today!

3 Common Chimney Problems and Ways to Deal with Them

A fireplace is an essential component of any house found in regions that experience frigid weather. Toronto homes, for example, typically have fireplaces built into them. If your home is the same, you likely have a chimney as well.

It may not seem obvious to most, but chimneys are as important as other fixtures in a house. After all, it helps remove any smoke a fireplace produces. Without the chimney, smoke particles, fire embers, and soot may cling to a room, leaving it uninhabitable.

Given the chimney’s role, it’s only reasonable that you take great care in maintaining it or having it maintained throughout the year. Companies that offer chimney repair services are likely to provide maintenance and cleaning as well.

If you don’t have the time to contact a professional, it’s best that you keep in mind some of the problems your chimney may encounter over the years.

1. Obstructions

You can find a part of the chimney in the exterior of your home, so it’s not surprising that it’s susceptible to the weather and other outside elements, like birds and squirrels.

If not minded correctly, your chimney may become obstructed over time. There are several reasons this happens, such as bird’s nests or leaves falling into the chimney or soot building up after a lack of cleaning.

Regardless of the reason, chimney obstruction will cause further problems for you. The most pressing will be toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide entering your home.

As much as possible, contact someone that offers professional chimney repair services to help you save time and money.

2. Unwanted Inhabitants

Aside from inanimate obstructions, your chimney may also start housing live critters if left unattended. Such a thing often happens when it’s nearing the colder months, considering that animals will find warm places to seek shelter.

To prevent unwanted inhabitants and the subsequent obstructions that they bring, you need to invest in a chimney cap if you haven’t yet. If your chimney has one, but it’s not functioning correctly, then contact a professional that specializes in chimney repair services to get it fixed.

It’s tempting to DIY it yourself, especially since there are chimney caps available in home depots. However, working with a proper technician will ensure that the chimney cap is high quality and undergoes correct installation.

3. Stacking

Another chimney problem you may encounter is stacking.

Stacking is a problem that results from the stack effect, which happens when warm air exits the chimney. As a result, it leaves the cold air to replace it. The cold air makes it impossible for the next batch of warm air from the fireplace to escape through the chimney.

There’s an easy fix to stacking: light a piece of paper and place it near the open damper. After a few seconds, the cold air should leave. Depending on the state of your chimney, you may need to do this several times before you can use the fireplace.

Final Thoughts

The chimney is exposed to external elements all year round, making it no surprise that it’s one of the most vulnerable pieces of your home. Without proper care and maintenance, you’ll likely find yourself with a subpar chimney or, worse, a dysfunctional one.

To prevent such a thing from happening, you’ll need to invest time (and most likely, funds) into the care of your chimney. If you’re looking for professional chimney repair services in Toronto, do consider Red Robin Masonry. We offer various masonry services, including ones that have to do with fireplaces and chimneys. Contact us today to book a consultation and learn more about our offerings!

Tuckpointing vs. Repointing: What You Need to Know

Tuckpointing and repointing look like two of the same things, but there is a distinct difference. Like basketball and football, if you learn the basics and understand the differences between each position, all will make more sense. Let’s dive deeper into it, shall we?

Mortar Breaks Down

You are aware that stone and brick mortar joints don’t last as long as the materials. Let’s say a brick wall can last up to 100 years without needing repairs, but the mortar joints can begin to show signs of wear and tear in 20-30 years.

This is when tuckpointing and repointing come into the picture. Usually, only specific areas of a structure need repointing, and in this case, new mortar must resemble the original mortar points.

Now, what’s the difference between these two methods?

Tuckpointing

Tuckpointing is a method that began to imitate the appearance of rubber brick in England. The method uses two different colours of mortar to fill in the brickwork joints. One of the colours is designed to match the actual bricks for a seamless appearance, while the other colour is for the actual appearance of mortar joints. As they are joined together between the brick mortars, they create an illusion that is very fine.

Repointing

Now, repointing is the method of filling in or repairing joints on damaged, cracked, or crumbled brickwork. The mortar joints play a crucial role because they support the whole structure. When they become damaged, water elements can come through that could cause significant problems to the entire masonry structure.

How Do You Know When It’s Time for a Mortar Repair?

Mortar joints aren’t designed to last forever, and they can show signs of damage within 20-30 years. If you think your mortar joint has reached this point, you need to be wary of the signs.

Some signs include mortar erosion that is over 6 mm and is crumbling. Hairline cracks in the mortar are also a sign, while there are cracks or gaps between the actual bricks and the start of the mortar that will come out to reveal signs of damage.

Keep in mind that tuckpointing and repointing are not always the best solution, especially when the damage is too severe. Usually, a sign that the damage is extensive is when bricks are already coming loose or appear damaged.

Repointing will only solve mortar joint issues, but not the entire brick itself.

With that, acting on the first sign you see will do wonders. Otherwise, mortar joint issues can expand until you have no choice but to settle for a rebuild.

An Effective Mortar Joints Repair

Tuckpointing and repointing are both terms used in the masonry trade when it comes to brickwork. A seemingly small yet important distinction between the two is understanding when you should leave things as they are, or when to consider whether repointing is the best solution. Moreover, they go hand-in-hand in some cases. The trick here is to work with a reliable masonry company to ensure you get the best service that will last for years. Fortunately, there are many reliable contractors out there, such as Red Robin Masonry.

If you need tuckpointing, stonework, or brick repair services in Toronto, you’re at the right place. Red Robin Masonry is rated as one of the best masonry companies in the GTA. Get a quote today!