1 / 9

How Best To Tackle Spalling Bricks

A big problem that many owners of natural brick buildings throughout the country are forced to face, is that of spalling.<br>

rzconstructiongroup
Download Presentation

How Best To Tackle Spalling Bricks

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. How Best To Tackle Spalling Bricks

  2. A big problem that many owners of natural brick buildings throughout the country are forced to face, is that of spalling. When bricks start to break down and crack, crumble, chip or peel, it goes on to cause the surface of the bricks to break away from the main body, which in turn, results in the softer sections of the bricks being exposed to everything Mother Nature can throw at them. Over time, this can cause serious and extensive damage. While spalling is essentially an aesthetic concern, since the bricks start to look past their best, in some instances it can lead to issues with the structural integrity of a masonry wall.

  3. To help you understand spalling better, here is a quick guide: What are the primary causes of spalling bricks? More often than not, spalling is caused by water ingress; the process of moisture being absorbed into brickwork, and then undergoing the cycle of freezing and thawing. This cycle involves moisture in the bricks expanding as it freezes, which causes the bricks to move. The movement of the bricks then starts to cause cracks in the brickwork to open up further and induces the mortar to crumble. Additionally, it can cause the surface of the bricks to be pushed in the opposite direction to the brickwork’s main structure, and this is when spalling takes place.

  4. What damage can spalling bricks cause? Not only are the bricks visibly damaged when spalling occurs, but any cracks and other minor defects are worsened, making it easier for moisture to get in and continue the cycle of damage. In some instances, improper mortar can also cause spalling, as can poor workmanship.

  5. What problems are caused by spalling bricks? Although primarily a visual concern, spalling can lead to structural problems if the damaged bricks aren’t addressed. Spalling is often also a key indicator that water ingress may be a problem for the entire building, and if you notice any discolored bricks or bricks affected by the growth of mold, mildew and algae, it’s likely that water ingress is causing it. All in all, it’s important to appropriately address brick spalling whenever you see it on a building.

  6. What can be done to repair spalling bricks? While spalling bricks don’t necessarily have to be replaced, doing so is the only effective way to restore the brickwork to its original condition. Naturally, how many bricks are affected by spalling will influence the cost of repairs, and if you know what you’re doing, the odd brick or two can be replaced yourself. However, for more than a couple of bricks, it’s always worth seeking help from a professional masonry restorer, who can guarantee the quality of their workmanship, and the structural integrity of the building.

  7. How are spalling bricks repaired? Firstly, the affected bricks can be completely removed from the wall using the appropriate tools, and new, matching bricks can be added in their place along with fresh mortar. Secondly, they can be repaired with a brick slip; a slim brick face that can be added to the surface of any damaged bricks to cover up the damage. This method means that a masonry professional must chisel away at the affected bricks to the required depth, to allow the brick slip to be positioned evenly with the existing masonry, and secured in place with an adhesive.

  8. If you’re concerned about spalling bricks on a building you own or live in, seek guidance from an expert masonry contractor in your area at the earliest to prevent the problem from becoming worse, and to restore the brickwork to its original, flawless condition.

  9. RZ Construction Group Inc is one of the best fully inclusive general contractors in Queens NY. From initial design to final clean up, our results speak for themselves. We are fully licensed, insured, and bonded to provide both commercial and residential construction services to customers in Astoria and the surrounding area. We offer all kinds of services related to masonry in Queens, NY. Proud to serve New York State for 25 years. No job is too small nor too big. If you are looking for brick pointing in Queens, NY or want to know more about our wide range of professional but affordable construction and repair services, reach out to us at (718) 938-9887.

More Related