The Most Common Brick Repairs and How to Fix Them

Bricks and mortar are widely recognized for their strength and durability, but even the most robust brickwork can experience damage over time. Factors like weather, age, and environmental conditions can all take a toll on your brick structure. Understanding the most common brick repairs and how to fix them can save you from costly repairs down the road and keep your home looking great for years to come. In this post, we’ll explore common brick issues such as cracked bricks, mortar joint deterioration, spalling, and efflorescence. We’ll also discuss whether these repairs are suitable for DIY enthusiasts or require professional intervention.

Cracked Bricks and Mortar Joint Deterioration

Cracked Bricks:

• What They Are: Cracked bricks are one of the most common problems homeowners encounter with masonry. These cracks can appear in both the face and structural parts of the brick and can be caused by a variety of factors, including settling of the foundation, severe weather conditions (such as freeze-thaw cycles), or even physical impact.

• Why Cracks Happen:

  • Foundation Shifting: One of the most common causes of cracked bricks is foundation settling or shifting. When the foundation moves, the structural integrity of the brickwork is compromised, resulting in cracks.

  • Water Damage: Excessive moisture penetration can cause bricks to weaken, leading to cracks. Water can seep into the brick and freeze, causing the material to expand and crack under pressure.

  • Impact Damage: Physical impact, such as from falling debris, can crack or break bricks, particularly those exposed to the elements.

• How to Fix It:

  • Assessment: Before repairing cracked bricks, assess whether the crack is cosmetic or if it affects the structural integrity. If the crack is affecting the structure, you may need to have a professional evaluate the foundation.

  • Repair Process: For cosmetic cracks, you can often use masonry patching compounds to fill in the crack. For larger structural cracks, you may need to replace the damaged brick entirely, ensuring that the area around it is properly reinforced. It’s essential to match the new bricks with the original ones to maintain consistency in appearance.

  • Preventative Measures: After repairs, ensure proper drainage around the foundation to prevent water from accumulating and causing further damage. Installing a chimney cap, flashing, or other protective measures can also help prevent moisture infiltration.

Mortar Joint Deterioration:

• What It Is: Mortar joints are the spaces between the bricks, filled with mortar to hold the bricks in place. Over time, the mortar can deteriorate due to exposure to the elements, particularly moisture, which can weaken the bond between the bricks and cause the joint to crumble or crack.

• Why It Happens:

  • Age and Weathering: Mortar naturally wears down over time due to the effects of weather, temperature fluctuations, and moisture. Old mortar, especially if it’s of poor quality, is more susceptible to deterioration.

  • Water Damage: Water penetration is a major culprit in mortar joint deterioration. Constant exposure to water can cause the mortar to erode and break apart, weakening the entire masonry structure.

• How to Fix It:

  • Tuckpointing: If you notice that the mortar joints are crumbling or cracking, tuckpointing is the most common repair method. This involves carefully removing the deteriorated mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar. Tuckpointing can be done in sections to prevent disruption to the overall structure.

  • DIY Tips: Small patches of mortar joint deterioration can be repaired with a masonry mortar mix and a trowel. However, extensive tuckpointing requires skill and attention to detail to avoid damaging the surrounding bricks.

  • Professional Help: If the mortar joints are significantly deteriorated, or if you're dealing with structural instability, it’s best to hire a professional mason to perform tuckpointing and ensure the integrity of the brickwork.

    
    

Spalling and Efflorescence Issues

Spalling:

• What It Is: Spalling occurs when the surface of the brick begins to break off or flake away, often caused by moisture infiltration. Spalling bricks may become loose and deteriorate over time, leading to a visibly rough or damaged surface. This can happen on both exterior and interior masonry surfaces.

• Why Spalling Happens:

  • Freeze-Thaw Cycles: One of the most common causes of spalling is water that enters the bricks, freezes during the colder months, and expands. As the ice melts and refreezes, the repeated expansion and contraction cause the surface of the brick to crack and break away.

  • Moisture Infiltration: Water absorption over time, especially in older bricks, can cause the material to weaken. As the water evaporates, it can leave behind mineral deposits that push against the surface, causing it to spall.

  • Poor-Quality Mortar: Low-quality mortar or improper mix ratios can exacerbate spalling, as it may not effectively bond with the brick, allowing moisture to penetrate.

• How to Fix It:

  • Replacing Spalled Bricks: For small areas of spalling, you can often remove the damaged brick and replace it with a new one. Make sure to clean out the cavity and apply new mortar before inserting the new brick.

  • Repointing: If the spalling has caused significant damage to the surrounding mortar joints, you may need to repoint them with fresh mortar to ensure the integrity of the wall.

  • Preventative Measures: Waterproofing your brick exterior and ensuring proper drainage around your home can help prevent further spalling. Installing a chimney cap or flashing can also prevent water from entering the bricks and causing additional damage.

Efflorescence:

• What It Is: Efflorescence is the white, powdery substance that sometimes appears on the surface of bricks or mortar joints. It’s caused by the migration of water through the masonry, which brings salts to the surface where they crystallize.

• Why Efflorescence Happens:

  • Water Migration: When water moves through the brick, it dissolves salts and other minerals within the material. As the water evaporates, the salts are left behind on the surface, creating a chalky residue.

  • Improper Drainage: Poor drainage around the foundation or the chimney can allow excess moisture to enter the masonry, leading to efflorescence.

• How to Fix It:

  • Cleaning: Efflorescence is often more of a cosmetic issue than a structural one. In many cases, you can simply clean the affected area with a brush or a mild cleaning solution to remove the white residue. A mixture of vinegar and water or a special efflorescence cleaner can help.

  • Long-Term Solutions: To prevent efflorescence from reappearing, improve drainage around the building and consider waterproofing the brickwork. Ensure that gutters are functioning properly and that water is directed away from the foundation.

  • Sealant: Applying a water-resistant sealant after cleaning the area can help reduce the moisture absorption that causes efflorescence to reoccur.

DIY vs. Professional Repairs

DIY Repairs:

• For smaller repairs such as filling minor cracks or fixing isolated areas of spalling or efflorescence, DIY methods can be effective and cost-saving. If you have the proper tools and knowledge, repairing minor mortar joint issues or replacing a few bricks can be accomplished yourself. Always ensure you use the right materials and take safety precautions.

When DIY is Ideal:

• Minor cracks in non-structural areas

• Small patches of mortar joint deterioration

• Cleaning efflorescence or spalled brick

• Sealing or waterproofing small areas

Professional Repairs:

• For larger or more complex repairs, especially those involving significant structural damage, hiring a professional is usually the best choice. Professional masons can accurately assess the damage, carry out advanced repairs such as tuckpointing or brick replacement, and ensure the overall stability of the structure. They also have the experience to identify underlying issues (such as foundation movement) that might be contributing to the damage.

When to Hire a Professional:

• Extensive foundation issues or shifting bricks

• Large areas of spalling or significant structural damage

• Complex tuckpointing or full repointing of mortar joints

• Any work involving chimney repairs, especially those affecting flue liners or venting

Conclusion

Brick and masonry repairs can be necessary due to various issues like cracked bricks, mortar joint deterioration, spalling, and efflorescence. Understanding these common problems and knowing how to address them will help you maintain the beauty and integrity of your home. While smaller repairs may be suitable for DIYers, larger, more complex issues often require professional intervention to ensure long-lasting results and prevent costly damage. Regular maintenance and timely repairs will extend the life of your brickwork and keep your home safe and visually appealing.