What Affects Exterior Masonry in Northern Virginia
Keeping your brick in good shape can be hard, but knowing what affects your masonry can help you keep your brick looking great. Not only will it look great, but it will do its job in keeping your home or business safe. Deteriorating brick can leave your home or business in harm’s way, so knowing the signs and causes of deteriorating brick is smart and getting masonry repair is even smarter. There are a few things that specifically can harm your masonry and make you need masonry repairs, including:
- Climate
- Environmental causes
- Terrain and vegetation
- Cracking
- Efflorescence
- Corrosion
These are all things that can harm your brick home or business. Climate can have a major effect on masonry, especially in areas where freeze-thaw cycles are common. Places such as upstate New York will have this problem.
There are many things that are environmental in nature that may harm your brick such as acid rain, vibrations from nearby roads, and salt water from nearby bodies of water. These may cause problems such as flaking, cracking, or erosion.
Terrain and vegetation are also problems that you may encounter. Poor soil drainage, poor surface drainage, tree roots, and ivy are all issues. Keeping water away from your home is important, and keeping an eye on surrounding trees and plants is smart. Ivy may penetrate brick and mortar, so watch for this issue.
Cracking is common in brick, but do not ignore it. Watch for stair-step cracks and other forms of cracking. This could mean that soil or your yard is not draining properly, which can cause foundation failure. Cracking is a good signal to watch out for, and to get inspected immediately.
Efflorescence is a white staining deposit left behind by salt in water. This can be a signal of excess water around the area, which should be addressed as soon as possible by a professional. If you notice this problem on your brick, it should be cleaned off of the surface.
Corrosion is caused by moisture that penetrates your masonry. Any metal within the walls will begin to corrode and rust. This will cause an expansion in the walls, leading to cracking and other problems. If you see signs of rusting, call a professional.
Problems with Masonry in Northern Virginia
Knowing that these problems can cause issues for your brick and masonry, you can begin looking for signs of these problems. There are multiple ways to tell if your brick and masonry are experiencing problems, such as:
- Flaking
- Chipping
- Cracking
- Sloping floors
- Sticking doors
- Sticking windows
- Mold and mildew growth
- Water in yard
Some of these issues point to problems such as foundation failure. Regardless, if you notice these problems, you should contact the professionals at Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry. We have the solutions for all your masonry repair problems. Whether you need masonry repair or brick re-pointing, we have the products, tools, and services you need. Our service area covers all of Northern Virginia. Contact us today to learn more about our foundation repair, waterproofing, masonry, brick re-pointing, or concrete restoration services. You can also contact us for a FREE estimate. Call us today!