Brick Spalling Repair – Restore and Protect Masonry the Right Way
Brick is renowned for its classic beauty and resilience, but over time, even the strongest masonry can experience deterioration. Brick spalling is a prevalent problem that property managers and homeowners deal with. If left untreated, this condition can weaken and detract from the strength and aesthetics of brickwork.
The definition of brick spalling, its causes, how to correct it, the expense of doing so, and useful advice for avoiding it in the future will all be covered in this tutorial. This post will provide you with the information you need to maintain the best possible brickwork, regardless of whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or want to employ a specialist.
Brick Spalling: What Is It?
The flaking, chipping, or crumbling of brick surfaces is referred to as brick spalling. Usually, you’ll see spalled brick spots that reveal the interior material where the outer layer of the brick breaks off. Both individual bricks and entire wall sections may be impacted by this degradation.
Typical Brick Spalling Symptoms
- Flakes or chunks slipping from the brick face
- Surface crumbling, pitting, or cracking
- Bricks with discolored or wet patches
- loose mortar joints close to bricks that are damaged
If spalling is not fixed, it can erode the building’s structural integrity in addition to affecting its appearance.
Why Does Brick Spalling Occur?
It is crucial to comprehend the reasons behind brick spalling before attempting any repairs. Finding the underlying reason will enable you to address the issue and stop it from happening again.
Infiltration of Water
Water infiltration is the most frequent cause. Bricks can absorb moisture because they are porous. In cold weather, stored water expands when it freezes inside the brick, causing pressure that causes the surface to crack and flake off.
Subpar Workmanship or Mortar
Water seeping into seams due to improperly mixed or laid mortar can hasten deterioration. Particularly vulnerable to spalling are bricks laid without proper flashing or drainage.
Applying Sealants That Are Not Breathable
If the incorrect kind of sealant is used, moisture may be trapped inside bricks instead of evaporating. Later on, this trapped water may freeze and result in spalling damage.
Wear and Age
Over time, weathering, exposure to salt, and thermal expansion cause even premium bricks to deteriorate. Signs of spalling are more common in older structures.
Brick Repairing Techniques
If you see spalled brick spots, you should take immediate action to stop the damage from getting worse. Depending on how bad the bricks are, you can either hire a professional mason or try to fix them yourself.
First Step: Evaluate the Damage
Check for loose or crumbling brick surfaces on all walls and chimneys.
Tap bricks lightly with a hammer; hollow noises could be a sign of internal damage.
Assess whether the damage is extensive (big portions of the wall) or isolated (single bricks).
Step 2: Take Out Broken Bricks
To carefully remove the spalled brick without damaging the nearby bricks, use a cold chisel and hammer.
To make room for the new brick, remove the old mortar from the cavity.
Installing Replacement Bricks in Step Three
Fill the cavity with new mortar.
Put in a fresh brick that is the same size and color as the previous masonry.
For a seamless look, tool the mortar joints to match the original finish.
Repointing Mortar Joints in Step Four
Instead of replacing entire bricks, you can occasionally grind out and repoint the mortar joints if the damage is minimal (only surface cracks). This lessens the chance that water may seep into the wall and exacerbate the spalling.
Pro Tip: Make sure the mortar mix you choose is appropriate for the age and kind of bricks you have. Instead of using the firm cement mortar of today, older bricks frequently require softer mortar made of lime.
The Price of Fixing Spalling Bricks
The price of spalling bricks is among the most frequent worries of homeowners. The degree of the damage and local labor expenses might have a big impact on the cost.
Average Price Range
Several bricks need minor repairs; labor costs range from $20 to $40 per brick.
Medium-sized wall repairs: $500 to $1,500
Major repair (whole walls or chimneys): at least $2,000 to $10,000
It is much less expensive to fix a few spalled brick areas now rather than waiting for the issue to get worse. If repairs are put off, structural damage may result, necessitating the reconstruction of entire wall portions.
Do-it-yourself versus Expert Repair
Professionals should handle large-scale brick spalling repair, but do-it-yourself handymen can replace a few bricks. Masons are qualified to:
Complement the color and texture of bricks.
Choose the appropriate mortar mixture.
Make sure the wall’s structural integrity is maintained.
Brick Spalling Prevention
Repair is usually more expensive than prevention. Brick spalling on your home can be considerably decreased with a few preventative steps.
Verify Appropriate Drainage
Water can be diverted away from walls by installing or maintaining gutters and downspouts.
To avoid water pooling, grade the soil so that it slopes away from your foundation.
Apply Sealants That Breathe
Instead of using a waterproof coating, use a vapor-permeable water repellent to seal your bricks. As a result, moisture within the bricks can escape instead of being trapped.
Preserve the Mortar Joints
Every year, check mortar for gaps or fractures.
When joints begin to deteriorate, repoint them to stop water from seeping in.
Guard Against Damage From Freeze-Thaw
If at all possible, insulate walls to prevent freezing.
To keep moisture out during strong winter storms, cover external stonework.
Select Superior Materials
To reduce future spalling risk, use dense, frost-resistant bricks and suitable mortar when constructing new structures or replacing existing bricks.
When to Contact an Expert
Small spots of spalled brick might appear doable as a do-it-yourself project, but it’s preferable to speak with a masonry expert if:
Spalling encompasses a wide region.
There are structural fissures in the wall.
You don’t know what the root reason is.
Finding moisture entrance points, evaluating structural integrity, and offering long-term fixes that stop damage from happening again are all possible with a professional examination.
Final Thought- Long-Term Brickwork Preservation
For your property to remain strong, secure, and aesthetically pleasing, brick spalling repair is necessary. You can increase the longevity of your brickwork and save costly future repairs by knowing what brick spalling is, how to fix spalled bricks, how much spalling bricks cost, and how to prevent brick spalling.
Avoid waiting for little patches of spalled brick to develop into significant structural problems. To return your walls to their previous state, examine your brickwork frequently, take care of any damage right away, and, if necessary, seek the advice of a qualified mason.