As a DFW homeowner, brick repair is just a reality you have to contend with from time to time. Brick homes are sturdy, well-insulated, and beautiful; but they do require a certain kind of upkeep that is very challenging -even if you’re a handy homeowner.
Masonry repairs require a highly specialized skill set and shouldn’t really be attempted as a DIY home improvement project. Even minor mistakes can spiral into significant problems later on, so it’s best to have all your brick repairs performed by a licensed professional (and under warranty).
But it’s still important to be able to spot and identify potential brick damage before it gets out of control. Bi-annual visual inspections of your brick exterior, chimney, and so on, can prevent mortar deterioration or cracked bricks from turning into more serious problems.
Read on to learn about the most common causes of brick damage, how to spot them, and what precautions to take when you do.
Cracks in the Brick or Mortar Joints
Cracks in brickwork are always signs that your home needs brick repair. They often result from foundation shifts, settling, or exposure to harsh weather, like extreme temperatures and heavy rains.
Vertical and Horizontal Cracks
Vertical cracks in your brickwork appear due to foundation movement or thermal expansion. They’re often narrow and run straight up or down the wall. These need to be repaired, of course, but represent a less severe degree of damage.
Horizontal cracks, on the other hand, are more alarming. They might signal structural issues, like excessive soil pressure or serious water damage.
If you spot horizontal cracks, especially near the base of your walls, call a Dallas brick repair specialist right away.
Stair-Step Cracks in Mortar
Stair-step cracks are distinctive patterns that follow the mortar joints in a zigzag fashion. These cracks usually indicate foundation problems or settling of your home. They’re very common in North Dallas, where foundation repair is also just a fact of homeowner life.
Common as they may be, don’t ignore these cracks – they will worsen over time and compromise your home’s integrity.
Bulging or Bowing Bricks
Bulging or bowing bricks are sign of severe damage that requires immediate attention from a brick repair expert. If you see this in your home, you most likely already have severe structural damage and your safety may be at risk as well.
What Causes Bricks to Bow?
Bricks typically bow due to moisture infiltration, which causes the bricks to expand. Water seeps behind the brick facade through small cracks and gaps in the mortar, or due to faulty flashing in your chimney, or an underground plumbing leak.
Over time, freezing and thawing cycles, or increasing soil pressure, pushes the bricks outward, creating a noticeable bulge or bow in your wall.
How Bulging Bricks Can Compromise Structural Integrity
Bulging bricks are more than just a bad look –they’re a reason for concern. As bricks bow outward, they introduce gaps in the wall system, which allows more moisture to penetrate. This leads to further damage, mold growth, wood rot, and even wall collapse in extreme cases.
Bowed bricks also don’t properly distribute the weight of the structure above them, and this can cause widespread structural issues and collapse.
If you notice any bulging or bowing in your brick walls, contact a Dallas brick repair specialist immediately to assess the situation and recommend repairs.
Signs of Water Damage on Brick Exteriors
Water causes the most insidious and invisible types of brick damage but being able to recognize the warning signs early may at least reduce the cost of repair.
Efflorescence (White Powdery Deposits)
Efflorescence is one of the few visual signs of water damage. This white, chalky substance appears on brick surfaces when water-soluble salts within the brick or mortar are drawn to the surface and left behind as moisture evaporates.
This foamy substance is more than an eyesore, it’s a sign of deterioration actively taking place.
What Causes Efflorescence?
Efflorescence occurs when excess moisture penetrates your brick wall. This can happen due to:
- Poor drainage around your foundation
- Damaged or clogged gutters and downspouts
- Lack of sufficient waterproofing on the brick surface
- High humidity in the surrounding environment
Efflorescence always indicates that water is finding its way into your brickwork, so if you see it, address it with a professional as soon as possible.
Mold or Mildew Growth on Brick Surfaces
Mold or mildew growth on your brick exterior is another clear indicator of water damage. And even if you can’t see the mold, you can often smell the mildew that reveals it behind the scenes.
By the time it does show externally, mold on brick often appears in dark green, black, or brown patches. These ugly spots can also lead to serious respiratory issues and allergic reactions are quite common. Not to mention, mold growth can accelerate brick damage, racking up costly repairs if left untreated.
While you can address minor mold issues yourself, extensive growth may require professional services. This is both to ensure that the treatment is successful and that your health is not put at risk in the process.
Plus, the right masonry experts will be able to both remove the mold and also address any underlying causes and brick repairs that are needed.
Foundation Shifts and Their Impact on Brickwork
Foundation shifts are most often detected by the cracks they cause in your home’s brick exterior, which linger and attract additional problems even after your foundation is repaired.
How Foundation Issues Lead to Brick Damage
As the foundation settles or shifts, it puts stress on the brick walls above, leading to cracks, misalignments, and other issues. This stress can manifest in various ways, including:
- Vertical cracks in brickwork
- Horizontal cracks along mortar lines
- Stair-step cracks in brick patterns
- Separating brick veneer from the house structure
- Bulging or bowing brick walls
These signs all indicate that movement in your foundation is affecting your home’s brick exterior. Ignoring them can result in more severe damage and potentially even long-term damage to the structure of your house.
Signs of Foundation Problems Around Brickwork
Keep an eye out for these telltale signs of foundation issues like uneven or sloping floors, doors and windows that stick, gaps between bricks or and window frames, drywall cracks around door frames, and the separation of brick veneer from window or door frames
These symptoms often appear gradually, so keep an eye on these telltale places in your home to make sure you can catch and detect these issues in a timely fashion as they arise.
Mortar Deterioration: Is It Time for Repointing?
Mortar deterioration is an issue all brick structures face in time. Learn the signs that it’s time for “repointing” (repairing mortar joints) and how pros match the type and color of mortar in repairs.
Signs Your Mortar Needs Repointing
If you see any of these signs, it may be time for repointing your brick exterior. At the very least, it’s time to call on a professional to inspect your brick.
Crumbled or Loose Mortar
When inspecting your brick walls, pay close attention to the mortar joints between bricks. If you notice any mortar crumbling, falling out, or feeling loose when touched, it means that repointing is most likely necessary.
Gaps Between Bricks and Mortar
When mortar breaks down, gaps form between the bricks and the mortar joints. These gaps, even minor ones, can lead to serious issues. Water seeps into these openings, worsening mortar damage and potentially leading to brick damage. Spot these gaps and it’s time to consult a local brick repair specialist.
The Importance of Matching Mortar Type and Color
When it comes to repointing, matching mortar isn’t just about your work looking attractive – it’s very important for the stability of your brick structure as well.
Using the wrong mortar can do more harm than good. Modern mortars are often harder than historic ones, which will lead to brick damage on older structures. The mortar needs to be softer than the bricks to allow for natural expansion and contraction.
Color matching, while not a structural concern, is quite important for maintaining your home’s curb appeal. Mismatched mortar sticks out like a sore thumb, detracting from your home’s overall appearance.
At Brick Experts we are the local experts in mortar matching and historic brick restoration and take pride in our ability to produce repairs that blend seamlessly with your original brick.
How Weather Affects Brick in Dallas
Dallas’s unique climate presents significant challenges for brick structures. The extreme weather conditions can lead to various forms of damage, requiring homeowners to be vigilant about maintenance and repair.
Damage from Extreme Heat and UV Exposure
The scorching Dallas sun wears on brick homes. Prolonged exposure weakens them over time, leading to the need for brick repairs.
How the Dallas Sun Weakens Brick Structures
Hot summer days cause bricks to expand, putting stress on mortar joints. Repeated expansion (during the day) and contraction (as the temperatures cool at night) lead to cracking and deterioration.
Additionally, UV rays break down the chemical bonds in brick and mortar, causing them to become brittle and more susceptible to damage.
Over time, this causes cracks and spalling, which will eventually require attention from brick repair experts.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Their Effect on Brick
While Dallas is best known for its heat, winter’s freeze-thaw cycles can be equally destructive to brick structures. Temperature fluctuations in general, cause wear and tear on bricks, eventually leading to repairs.
When water seeps into brick pores and freezes, it expands, creating internal pressure. Then as temperatures rise, the brick contracts. This repeated cycle weakens the structure, causing cracking, spalling, and eventual deterioration.
Why Regular Brick Inspections Are Essential for Dallas Homes
Regular brick inspections are your best defense against costly masonry repairs or significant damage to your home. Inspections identify potential risks early, and save you money down the line.
How Often Should You Inspect Your Brickwork?
It’s a good policy to inspect your brickwork at least once a year, preferably in the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate.
Severe weather events like hailstorms or heavy rains may make additional inspections necessary, to be on the safe side. And, of course, for older homes or those with a history of brick issues, consider increasing that frequency to once every six months.
Signs to Look for During Routine Inspections
During your inspections, keep an eye out for these telltale signs of brick damage:
- Cracked bricks or mortar joints
- Efflorescence (white powdery deposits)
- Bulging or bowing walls
- Loose or missing bricks
- Water stains or discoloration
- Vegetation growth in mortar joints
How to Document and Monitor Brick Damage
To effectively track changes in your brickwork over time, take clear, well-lit photographs of problem areas, and log the issues you observe (including dates and locations).
Use a tape measure to record the size of cracks or gaps periodically and track them. You can always mark problematic spots with weatherproof tape or paint for easy reference in the future.
Then periodically compare new photos and measurements with previous records and make note of changes. This documentation will be very helpful when consulting with a brick repair specialist about your issues.
When to Call a Professional for a Full Brick Inspection
When inspecting your brick, recognize these urgent signs that you need repair. Call a pro immediately if you notice:
- Large cracks (wider than 1/8 inch) in bricks or mortar
- Significant changes in crack size or wall alignment
- Water infiltration or persistent dampness
- Crumbling or deteriorating mortar joints
- Signs of foundation issues, such as uneven floors or sticking doors
Keeping Your Dallas Brickwork in Top Shape
Regular inspections and timely repairs are your best strategy for protecting your investment and your home’s potential sales value. Brick problems will almost certainly become obstacles to selling and will shave significant dollars off the price your home demands.
Why Professional Brick Repair Offers Long-Term Value
DIY brick repair might seem tempting, if you’re a handy homeowner, but professional brick repair always provides superior value. Experienced masonry contractors are highly skilled and have many specialized tools and access to quality materials that it’s very unlikely you possess.
They’re also fixing problems like yours every day and are very good at identifying underlying issues that may not be immediately visible, and that you could potentially miss.
Plus, brick repair specialists in Dallas are familiar with the city, county, and state building codes and regulations. They’re also licensed and bonded. They’ll ensure that all repairs comply with industry and government standards, and this should give you peace of mind.
Professional masonry repairs also come with warranties, providing peace of mind and protection for your investment.
At Brick Experts, we possess a rare combination of brick restoration, mortar matching, and residential construction skills that make us uniquely qualified to assist you with all your masonry repair needs.
We provide a 3-year warranty on all our repairs and have helped hundreds of Dallas homeowners with problems just like yours -and we’ve maintained a 5-star rating while doing it.
Reach out to us today for a free quote on your brick repair project. We’ll visit your home, answer all your questions, and present lasting solutions for all your masonry problems.
