There is a reason brick homes are generally more expensive. They are more durable and require less upkeep than most building materials. So when cracks do begin to form in your brick walls, it can be concerning.
When examining brick crack repair options, you should first focus on the cause of the crack. With some types of cracks, the problems are isolated to the brick and mortar themselves. In other cases, foundation problems or other structural issues could be to blame.
Cracks come in all different types and sizes, and many factors can cause them. That’s why it is important to ensure that any repairs fix the underlying cause as well.
What Causes Bricks to Crack?
Spalling
Spalling isn’t really a crack, per se. But some people mistake it for one.
Spalling is when the surface layer of the brick begins to flake or chip away. It doesn’t generally cause a crack that goes through the brick, but it will likely require repairing the affecting section of your wall.
Spalling’s cause is usually water infiltration into the brick. While water infiltration isn’t great for bricks on its own, it becomes a significant problem when it begins a freeze-thaw cycle. As the water freezes, it expands, creating pressure that begins to break apart the brick.
Aging Mortar
While some modern mortars last longer, in general bricks tend to outlive the mortar holding them together.
The exposed surface of the mortar can begin to crack and crumble. In some cases chunks can even fall out.
In these cases, the damage is isolated to the mortar. The cracks are unlikely to go through the entirety of the mortar, and they are also less likely to follow a defined stair-step pattern like some other brick cracks
Foundation Problems
If your home is experiencing foundation problems, it places the entire structure, including the brick walls, under stress.
If your home is experiencing foundation settlement, the stress is going to try to pull the bricks apart.
Foundation-related cracks can take a number of forms.
- Stair-Step Cracks: These cracks form a stair-step pattern along the mortar joints where the bricks are at their weakest.
- Vertical Cracks: Sometimes settlement related cracks are vertical. Depending upon which portion of the house is experiencing the greatest settlement, the crack might be wider on the top or on the bottom.
- Diagonal Cracks: These cracks are similar to stair-step cracks, but the crack extends through the brick as well. They are often located by weaker areas like door and window frames.
Also keep an eye out for cracks that grow over time as that is another sign of foundation problems.
Thermal Expansion
If allowances for it haven’t been made during construction, thermal expansion and contraction of the masonry materials (expanding in the heat, contracting in the cold) can cause cracking.
Thermal expansion often causes long, vertical cracks sometimes in a repeating pattern. They are frequently located near corners or wall openings.
Some change in width seasonally, depending upon the temperature change.
Overloading
If the brick wall is supporting more weight than it was built to withstand, this can also cause cracks.
Often, these take the form of horizontal cracks. In serious cases, the wall could begin to bow under the pressure.
Sometimes, vertical cracks can form in unsupported sections of the wall as well. There will sometimes be evidence of crushing in the bricks and mortar from the compressive stress being placed upon them.
Options for Brick Crack Repair
What brick crack repairs your home or business needs likely depends upon what caused them.
Depending upon the severity of the cracks, you will likely have to contact a masonry specialist. If spalling is the cause, you will need to repair or replace the bricks. If aging mortar is the cause, you should consider tuckpointing or repointing.
For the other causes, you might need masonry repair in addition to other repair options.
For foundation problems (our specialty), the solution is likely underpinning. At Jerry’s, we install high-quality steel push piers or helical piers that we drill down to a load-bearing strata of soil. We then hydraulically lift the home back to level before we transfer the load of the home onto the piers. This both solves the foundation problems and prevents the settlement issues from recurring.
If overloading of the wall is to blame, your will probably require an inspection by a structural engineer to determine the appropriate repair measures, in addition to fixing any damage to the bricks themselves.
Think Foundation Issues Caused Your Brick Cracks? If You Live in the Omaha Area, Call Jerry’s
In most cases, brick cracks should be repaired by a professional. That goes doubly if they are caused by foundation problems. If you live in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa, contact us to see if your brick cracks are caused by foundation problems and get an estimate on what it will cost to fix it.