4 Signs Your Home Needs an Inspection from a Masonry Service

While masonry materials can withstand centuries of use, there are some things that can cause them major damage and leave them weak and flakey. This damage if left unaddressed can cause all sorts of problem for you as a homeowner, varying from leaks to the more extreme crumbling walls.


 Most masonry-related issues encountered in brick homes and other masonry buildings are caused by a phenomenon known as upheaval. This is when the soil surrounding your home expands, exerting excess pressure on your masonry-built basement walls. Since masonry materials are non-malleable, they develop structural stress in response to the exerted pressure, which causes your basement walls (and your home envelope in general) to crack, bow and ultimately fail.
In Massachusetts, foundation upheaval is especially common because of the abundant precipitation we experience here.
 But short of a wall caving in, how can you determine when your building needs an inspection from a masonry service?
Look for these four signs:

1) Bulged bricks or concrete on outer walls

This is one of the earliest indications that something untoward is happening with your masonry work. Most often, this is caused by moisture that seeps behind your outer walls, which then pushes out the bricks and concrete in the walls.   

2) Compacted concrete blocks or bricks

You can spot compacted blocks or bricks quite easily; they appear bowed after having lost their original shape.
Even a single compacted concrete block or brick can compromise the structural integrity of your entire wall. It’s like a virus; it starts small and spreads quickly.

3) Efflorescence on masonry work   

Efflorescence is a fine, white crystalline deposit of water-soluble salts that can form when water is present in or on concrete, brick, stone and other masonry materials.  
Presence of efflorescence on the walls of your home is not a good sign. It can be indicative of water infiltration, something which can be dangerous for the long term health of the building.

4) Disintegrating mortar

Mortar deterioration can leave the bricks in your walls exposed, causing them to loosen up and warp. If left unfixed, this can lead to costly repairs. 

Is your Boston building throwing up with masonry-related issues? Contact AMN Masonry today for help.

About AMN Masonry

AMN Masonry is a leading masonry repair and brownstone restoration contractor in Boston. The company is known for providing quality and affordable services to home and business owners in the area. Call (774) 244-8248 for more details, or email at adriano@amnmasonry.com.

  

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