Whether new or old, brick walls will deteriorate and when that happens, repair is necessary. Brick walls are destroyed by poor construction, harsh weather, and poor maintenance.

If brick masonry repair is not done at the right time, the deterioration of the walls can lead to failure of the structures.

To maintain your brick walls, you need to be able to read the signs that the walls need repair. You can also hire a professional mason to offer routine maintenance on the walls. Heres what you should look out for.

The Masonry Wall Looks Bowed

When bricks absorb moisture, they tend to expand, and this can cause the walls to bow. Clay-fired brick is made of a completely dried kiln, and when it absorbs water, it expands over time.

If the wall is not fitted with the necessary expansion joints, the expansion of the bricks will lead to a considerable pressure on different joints on the wall, especially the corners.

The corners of walls tend to be stiff and therefore the wall bows towards the center, either inwards or outwards.

This expansion is very bothersome at the parapet level as the bricks get exposed to the weather elements from all sides. Bowing can occur on new as well as aged bricks, and this usually shortens the life of a wall.

If you notice this happening, you need to call a mason who will tuck-point an expansion joint. It is that simple.

White Powdery Substance on Bricks

When bricks absorb excessive moisture over a long time, they tend to have a white substance covering their surfaces; a condition referred to as efflorescence. This shows that the bricks have not had enough drying up.

The condition can be caused by drainage cavities being clogged by mortar or debris.

If there are leaking pipes in the plumbing system, the condition can also occur. Usually, you need to call a plumber who then inspects your system to identify where the problem is.

If the drainage cavities are clogged, they will unclog them, and if there is a problem with your plumbing system, a plumber will help.

It is advisable to consult a mason before a large section of the wall becomes white. This can weaken the walls.

Cracks in the Walls

Cracks are common indications that a wall needs repair. Cracking usually happens when the shelf angles deteriorate. The shelf angles can weaken when exposed to excessive moisture or when the brick walls expand.

Left unattended, cracking on brick walls can result to a more serious problem. The brick wall can come apart abruptly thanks to the pressure placed on specific points on the building.

Seek brick masonry repair the moment you notice the slightest cracks in the walls to prevent the condition from deteriorating further and leading to more serious problems.

Other Signs

If the mortar joints have started peeling off and are missing in different sections of the walls, get a masonry expert to repair them.

When the mortar joints are weak, they weaken the whole wall. The good news is, the mortar joints are easy to repair.

When you see these signs, give your brick wall the attention it needs. It is better to repair them early rather than have to rebuild an entire wall or structure.