In 30 years of masonry experience, we’ve seen a lot.
In addition to providing customers with chimney installation, renovation, and maintenance, we also repair and restore brickwork. While it can be painfully obvious at times when a brick repair is needed, there are also occasions when a close inspection or professional guidance is needed to see the signs that renovation or repair is necessary.
Here are a few quick tips to check up on your masonry, and see if a visit from the American Chimney professionals is in order…
Take a Look. A close look. This may be a time to call for a consultation if it isn’t safe for you to get on the roof and look at your chimney or other inopportunely placed masonry, but careful inspection is sometimes necessary to see small signs that brick repair is in order. Smaller cracks, discoloration...these are all indications that your masonry needs some TLC. What exactly are you looking for?
● Bulges. Absorbed water in masonry will eventually break down the brick and mortar, and in freezing temperatures, the water can turn to ice, bulging and separating layers of the brick. (This is often called “frost boil” and happens in areas where there’s a freeze/thaw cycle.)
● Cracks. Cracks aren’t always lethal--if caught early or if they are at a particular angle, they may not equal collapse. However, they do need to be addressed.
● Crumbling mortar. Your bricks need mortar, to keep from rubbing against each other and causing damage, and you need a professional to replace them.
● Interior damage. The exterior masonry may look solid to the untrained eye, but if small cracks are present and leaks are occurring, you may see water damage inside the house, in the form of staining, leaks, or damage to windows.
Revisit the Timeline. How old is your house? Brick is a durable material, but it isn’t immortal; a checkup may be in order if your masonry is aging. A professional glance can help determine if the quality of your bricks is sound or if some restoration is needed. (Side note: Even if your older brickwork is healthy, it’s not a crime to decide that it needs restoration for an updated look. We all benefit from occasional makeovers every few years.)
What causes can be responsible for needing masonry repair? Age is just one factor; as mentioned above, freeze/thaw cycles such as those experienced in Oklahoma can be tough on masonry, and over the years, even if the quality of the brick is good, tree growth can disrupt masonry and cause damage, and poor craftsmanship can also put your home at risk for problems as time goes by. (It can be disheartening to have inadequate repairs done and then find yourself looking for another company to repair something you thought you were getting repaired, but at American Chimney, we do all of our work ourselves. No contractors, no inexperienced labor...just decades of masonry experience at your service.)
Whatever your need for brick repair, American Chimney wants to be your source for reliable, experienced masonry work. Call us today to schedule a consultation so we can help restore your brickwork to its former glory...or give it a new lease on life.
