What Causes Cracked Bricks and How to Fix Them

Cracked bricks are an eyesore. The cracks are mainly due to water ingress, in which water enters the brickwork easily due to weak mortar joints or through the tops of cement chimney caps. Apart from this, there are other causes of brick cracking, and that’s what we’re going to discuss in this post.

The Causes of Brick Cracking

In addition to water ingress, there are other external factors that contribute to brick cracking.

It can be due to natural causes or can be an indicator of a problem with your house’s foundation.

House Settling

Most of the time, though, brick cracking only means your house is settling, which is a natural process. This happens especially when the lot your house was built on was excavated before construction.

With time, the house settles into the ground a bit more. Due to the continued weight of the house, the soil underneath becomes more compact, which will cause a bit of cracking on your walls.

Water Retention

If your house settling isn’t the cause behind the brick cracking, then it’s likely due to water retention as bricks are naturally porous. When exposed to too much rain, the material absorbs it and can cause it to expand. When bricks expand, they become too big for the original pattern; hence, the cracking.

Deteriorating Mortar Joints

Another cause of bricks cracking is when the mortar in between them is deteriorating. This occurs over time because of the outdoor elements and the exposure to water and other minerals. The good news is, if you catch any of these issues early, a minor repair is possible.

How To Address Cracked Bricks

The only time you will need major work is when the cause of the brick cracking is a foundational issue. Other than that, it can be repaired simply by patching. However, if there’s extensive damage, you would need to hire a foundation repair company and a brick mason to fix it.

A professional will assess your bricks and figure out the cause. Then, they create a plan to address the issue. Here are some of the solutions for brick cracks:

• Replacement
• Repair of mortar joints
• Resurfacing
• Chimney repair

It’s important to hire a qualified mason to get the job done; otherwise, you could end up with more problems down the road. Make sure the professional also has liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage to protect you and your home.

How To Prevent Brick Walls From Cracking

You can take measures to prevent your brick walls from cracking. For one, you can use expansion joints that will protect the bricks when exposed to moisture and temperature changes. You should also consider removing temporary shims, which are commonly made of stainless steel. Finally, don’t use incompressible materials in the joints.

Conclusion

Having cracked bricks can be stressful but don’t panic. Pinpointing the causes behind it is important so that you know your options for fixing them. Usually, this will require a qualified mason to ensure the brick is restored properly, and all other issues will be addressed.

Let us take care of it for you! Red Robin Masonry offers brick repair in Mississauga. Our team specializes in all types of brickwork. Contact us today!