If you have a brick home and you notice that one part of the wall is cracking, don’t be too fast to assume that it’s a foundation problem. While most brick cracking is caused by such an issue, there are other factors which a brick wall shows some cracking.
So, before you call in the foundation repair experts, try to contact a professional who specializes in Granite city brick work first. He might be able to give you an insight as to why such a problem occurred and how you can go about repairing it.
Why Do Brick Walls Crack?
Bricks may crack due to the weather. Remember that clay bricks are formed by combining shale and clay that are heated inside a kiln. Once all the moisture evaporated from the brick and then it’s cooled, there’s a possibility that it may crack.
The expansion of bricks may initiate these changes and sometimes, they’re inevitable. It’s important that you purchase bricks from reputable manufacturing companies, which gives every brick ample curing time so that these problems won’t occur.
Is it Possible to Prevent Bricks from Cracking?
Expert brick masons know what to do to anticipate the expansion and loss of moisture of the bricks. They will install the bricks in such a way they create narrow gaps at a regular interval in the veneers. The installation of a backer rod is also done to handle these gaps and keep water or rain from seeping in.
The correct installation of these expansion joints or gaps can almost assure that bricks won’t crack, provided that the reason is related to moisture issues. The thing is, once the bricks are done with the moisture expansion process, then its size will remain constant and the wall won’t grow or shrink anymore. You also don’t have to worry about cracks.
Hiring a Professional Brick Mason
Brick mason are not just contractors but specialists in bricklaying. They are well-versed in brick tuckpointing, which is a sacred process in the bricklaying industry. It’s not true that bricks are out of style or outdated. There are still a lot of brick masons with a great reputation that you can hire.
When hiring brick masons, you have to perform the same due diligence when qualifying any other service contractor. For one, they should belong to a company that has many years of experience in the business. You definitely want experts to install the bricks or else, you’ll run into more problems than just cracking.
Tips for Choosing a Brick Mason
If possible, request for a portfolio of past work from the service provider. Ask them for photos of homes that are within your area, if they have some. That way, you can drop by and personally check how well they install the bricks, and how long the structure had lasted.
Bricks are one of the toughest materials to work with. They’re very durable, and they can withstand a lot of stress. Bricks don’t get caught in fire, and they can deal with all kinds of weather. It’s really one of the best choices that you have when it comes to walls and siding.
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