Masonry can lend an unmistakable charm to homes and businesses alike. However, over time, problems can develop and reduce visual appeal. Some issues aren’t only unsightly—they can also point to structural issues within your property. If you’re wondering whether you should schedule brick restoration services, look out for the below problems.

How to Tell You Need Brick Restoration

1. Compacted Bricks

Cracks in the wall and warping in individual bricks are both signs of compaction. This issue occurs when a house settles, meaning the foundation is sinking. The pressure either compresses the bricks into strange shapes or breaks them, allowing rainfall and melted snow to enter the holes.

Once one brick compacts, it will disrupt the overall stability of the wall, and the nearby bricks will follow suit. To fix this, a masonry expert must remove and replace the compacted bricks. They may also refer you to a foundation repair professional who can stabilize the property.

2. Crumbling Bricks

This issue is common in older buildings, but it still requires repair. Crumbling happens when water infiltrates masonry, and the fluctuating temperatures cause it to freeze and melt, repeatedly. This results in the continuous expansion and contraction of your brick walls until the material begins to fall apart. You must remove the problem bricks from the wall, replace them with the appropriate size, and then seal it with mortar.

3. Bulging Walls

As you stand at one corner of your house, look at the shape of each wall’s side profile. If the surface seems to bulge outward, you may be dealing with bowed brick. This develops when moisture—such as from condensation, plumbing leaks, or rainfall—accumulates behind the masonry, causing the inner materials to swell and push the brick and mortar outward. Your brick restoration crew must dismantle the bricks, address the underlying water damage, and rebuild the wall to restore your property’s structural integrity.

If you notice these brick restoration issues around your property, reach out to Hicon Inc., of Cincinnati, OH. This company has been serving residents throughout the Greater Cincinnati region since 1977. Whether you need chimney repair, porch reconstruction, or tuckpointing, you can count on these masonry experts to do the job correctly. For a full list of their services, visit the website. Call (513) 242-3612 with any questions.