Crumbling brick? Need Chimney Repair in Milwaukee? How did this happen and how do I prevent it?
Brick homes are sturdy and usually require very little maintenance. However, when walls or other structures made of brick are allowed to stay wet for long periods, they begin to crumble. Surface repairs won't fix the problem though they might improve the brick's appearance in the short term. To deal with crumbling brick, address the underlying moisture problem and remove all damaged material.Brick and mortar are porous materials that absorb moisture when they're in contact with the ground, when splashed with water regularly or when a house has poor drainage. Over time, the mortar between the bricks loses its adhesive properties, turning crumbly and sandy. The bricks themselves might even crack and break due to frost action.
Keep brick walls from crumbling by keeping them dry. Maintain gutters carefully, removing all debris regularly and ensuring that downspouts work correctly. If a gutter leaks onto the ground near the house, the water seeping into the wall can cause serious damage. Maintain proper drainage around the house; if the ground slopes toward the wall, water moves closer to the foundation rather than away from it. Reduce the danger of splashing water from swimming pools, hoses and other water sources by keeping them well away from brick walls. Check mortar stability every few years to ensure the brick remains solid. If the mortar seems to be sandy, it may need to be removed and replaced.
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