Brick Repair / Masonry Restoration

Penetrating moisture not only weakens the mortar that bonds the bricks together, but it also promotes premature deterioration of the brick. If moisture finds its way into a defect on the brick and freezes, it will cause the brick to spall, deflect or displace. Once this happens, the brick is rendered useless as it offers no structural support to the brick wall. Removing defective bricks will prevent water damage from spreading to the healthy and sound bricks remaining. Royal C&M works with a variety of brick suppliers to insure you the closest match to your existing brick when a brick repair is required.

Masonry restoration is not only costly but if performed in the wrong manner can be unsightly. Mismatched mortar and incompatible brick replacement will leave undesirable features on your masonry walls for years to come. Royal will not only repair the structural deficiencies within your brick, concrete block and stone facades but will do so in a way to enhance its cosmetic appeal. We carefully select the closest brick match to your original not only in color but in texture to insure the integration of the old and new. The best compliment we have received was not seeing the repair at all!

How do I know if my building needs Masonry Restoration?

Masonry restoration implies that bricks need to be restored and or replaced. When you notice that your brick surface alters its appearance (i.e. your masonry units are missing their face, chipping, flaking, crumbling, cracking, deflected or displaced) it is worth inquiring after.

Why is my brick crumbling or flaking?

As brick ages it will start to retain moisture. When moisture penetrates the outer layer of brick (substrate) and freezes, it will expand. This expansion is what causes the brick surface to “pop” or spall. It is a very common problem here in the Midwest. The only way to repair the brick is to replace it with a new masonry unit.

Chimneys are usually the first part of a masonry building to manifest signs of deterioration. This is mostly due to the fact that chimneys are constantly bombarded by the elements. Resting above the roofline virtually defenseless, chimneys do not have any roof or gutter system to divert water away from them as on the main part of your brick building.

A simple hairline crack in your chimney capstone, if neglected, can cause serious damage. Water penetration through a failed cap can cause the top courses of your chimney to disintegrate to the point where masonry repair is mandatory. When the majority of the brick on a chimney are spalling, flaking, cracking, displacing or even missing it is time to repair it with new masonry units. From mobilization to job clean up and all masonry repairs in between, contact Royal Caulking.

How do I know if my chimney needs repair?

When you look at your chimney and notice several bricks are cracking, flaking or displacing (out of line) you probably need a partial repair or full chimney rebuild.

My chimney capstone is cracked. Should it be replaced?

A capstone is the cement or limestone portion of the chimney that tops or “caps” the brickwork. One or two cracks within the cap are normal and can be corrected without having to replace the cap. However, if the cap is displaced or broken in sections you should definitely have a new one installed.

My chimney capstone is flush with the brick on my chimney.

Is this the right type of cap to have?

No. A capstone should provide an adequate overhang in order to serve its purpose of protecting the brick below it. Without a drip off edge, water will simply run down the sides of the chimney and settle into the brick. Thus increasing the speed at which cracks occur.

The mortar joint plays a significant role in the structure and structural integrity of the wall. It holds the bricks together. It bears the comprehensive weight of the wall just as the bricks, and it keeps the water out of the wall. It is also the weak link in the brick wall system because if water is allowed to get past the mortar and into the wall, brick failure may occur such as cracking or popping.

We can completely restore mortar joints by grinding out all existing motor joints and replacing with new or spot point where needed throughout the brick structure to fill up any holes and cracks to stop any further damage from occurring.

Tuckpointing becomes mandatory when mortar joints have cracked, flaked, or disintegrated due to the abrasive effects of the elements. Although the right material and technique are enough to deliver a water-tight job, appearance is also a top priority. Our skilled crew carefully select the proper mortar mix and tools to compliment your existing mortar color and profile. If the cracks, gaps, and voids within the mortar joints are left neglected, water will most certainly find its way into the interior causing leaks, damage to drywall, paint, and promote mold growth.

How do I know if my building needs tuckpointing?

Look closely at your masonry wall and if you notice voids, cracks, crumbling mortar, or uneven areas of mortar, chances are you need tuckpointing.

Can my existing mortar color be matched?

The existing mortar color and profile can be matched (with approximately 90% accuracy) through careful manipulation of the actual color additive. Newly applied mortar will appear sharper in color because it hasn’t had a chance to weather and oxidize.