Brick walls, old or new, will eventually deteriorate after some time. Harsh weathers, lack of maintenance or poor construction will also lead to failing brick walls.
Can’t tell if your walls are deteriorating? Here are some telltale signs that you should repair your brick walls before it’s too late:
Bowing walls
When a brick wall bows, it appears to be leaning or bulging. Some cracks may be evident on the walls. Bowing walls are caused when bricks absorb moisture over time and expand. The expansion creates pressure on the corners of the wall, and the walls are forced to bend inwards or outwards.
You can prevent further bowing with a few methods such as channel sections or brick buttressing, but these ways are expensive and aesthetically displeasing. Modern construction methods typically use metal strapping which connects the roof and the floor to the external cavity walls, which reduces the chance of bowing walls.
Efflorescence
This situation occurs when soluble salts and other water dispersible materials come to the surface of concrete and mortars. Low temperatures, moist conditions, and exposure to water induce efflorescence. They appear as white, powdery substances on walls.
There’s no one-time solution for efflorescence. You need to keep washing it away with a brush or by power washing.
Missing mortar joints
Few signs that your mortar joints are failing are breaking bonds and joints decomposition. These symptoms will cause unit failure, which is when the damage spreads to spalling bricks, developing cracks, and loose stones.
Repairing mortar joints, also known as repointing, is a slow and lengthy process. However, sloppy and rushed work will result in being ugly.
Conclusion
Your brick wall requires regular maintenance to maintain in top shape. If you need help to fix your walls, be sure to ask a professional.
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