Signs of Masonry Problems

Warning signs of masonry issues

What Is Masonry and Masonry Restoration?

Masonry work dates back more than 6,000 years. Because of its longevity and beauty, masonry was used for the Egyptian Pyramids, the Roman Colosseum, and other historic international works from India to China. Today, masonry has made quite the evolution, most often used for commercial buildings and small businesses, better known as brick and mortar companies. Masonry can be a simple brick wall or intricate exterior that adds character and strength to any building.

Masonry restoration covers many building exterior services, including repair to brick, concrete, clay, stone, and precast. Masonry restoration requires skill and precision from experienced contractors. When brick damage and other signs of masonry problems have become evident, it’s best to call professionals that can perform a thorough inspection and address the building envelope needs immediately.

What Causes Masonry Damage?

The two leading causes of masonry damage are moisture penetration and extreme temperature changes (freeze and thaw cycles). When water invades masonry walls, they’re susceptible to damage that ruins their structural integrity. Although masonry is resistant to harmful elements and natural disasters, such as fire and earthquakes, the bricks easily absorb moisture.

During hot or rainy seasons, water leaks into cracks in the brick mortar. During the winter, the building freezes the water in place, leading to more cracks and damaging expansion. As a result, water penetration causes issues for other building assemblages, such as wood, metal, doors, and windows. These kinds of disruptions to the brick and mortar cause severe problems over time. Schedule commercial masonry repair as soon as possible before issues get worse.

Does Your Building Need Masonry Restoration?

It’s vital to look out for signs of masonry problems to address foundational damage immediately. Some indicators you need masonry restoration are more obvious than others. There may be problems that go unnoticed to the untrained eye. However, these are a few of the most apparent indicators of masonry damage:

Deterioration or Missing Mortar

Mortar is the mixture of sand, a binder, like cement or lime, and water. It’s essentially the adhesive substance that holds the brick in place. Mortar is subject to deterioration without appropriate maintenance. A rule of thumb is to schedule masonry wall repointing every 15 to 20 years. Otherwise, you’ll notice gaps or mortar falling out of bricks. Until the issue is addressed, the bricks rub against each other and begin to warp.

Damaged Bricks

Your bricks’ appearance speaks volumes of their condition. When bricks are compacted, cracked, or bulging out of place, water damage is beginning to take a toll, and the foundation is overwhelmed. Another telltale sign of masonry problems is large cracks, especially at a 30-degree angle or greater. In this case, your bricks are on the verge of collapsing, which is expensive to repair and dangerous to people in or near the building.

Interior Damage

Some interior signs of masonry problems include deformed window seals and splitting plaster. When your bricks display external damage, usually the inside is visibly affected as well. Bricks leaking water, cracking, or bulging is bad news for the foundation, and it starts to show as window frames shift and become misshapen.


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Simpson Unlimited Is One Contractor Supplying All Your Building’s Needs

Don’t worry about hiring several contractors for your commercial building’s exterior needs—Simpson Unlimited is your one-stop shop. We perform specialized architectural and engineering services. In addition to masonry and concrete repair, we also provide thru-wall flashing and above and below-grade waterproofing. Additionally, we pride ourselves on being the “swiss army knife” of commercial roofing services. No matter what your facility needs, we perform repairs and restoration services with the utmost professionalism.

Our service range extends throughout Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. to better meet our clients’ needs. You deserve a responsible, devoted team that eliminates your worries and puts your mind at ease. You deserve the Simpson Unlimited advantage.