If the exterior of your house is made of brick, you will likely have or will eventually see cracks in the bricks. Most homeowners make the mistake of thinking that this is a cosmetic issue and that it can wait or be temporarily repaired. In reality, any crack in those bricks points to a deeper foundation problem that must be taken care of immediately. However, at Jerry’s Waterproofing, we have experts in cracked brick repair that will help you find a solution that will work for your home.
Types of Cracked Bricks
Some of you may be asking, “Are there any brick cracks that are not a big deal?” the answer is no. There are many different ways your bricks can crack, but they all are signs that you should talk to a foundation repair professional.
- Vertical: Vertical cracks mean that your house is settling unevenly. When one side of the house strains to hold more weight than another. This causes a crack down the middle of your brickwork.
- Horizontal: Horizontal cracks mean that the wall is starting to bow. This is caused by soil pushing in on the foundation. If a wall is left bowed for too long, it can be in danger of collapsing.
- Diagonal: Diagonal cracks are similar to horizontal cracks. However, since a diagonal crack is usually more prominent on one side, it will likely lead you to the source of moisture causing the issue.
- Stair-Step: These cracks appear due to uneven settling, similar to vertical cracks. An issue like this will have to be fixed from underneath the home.
How To Repair Cracked Bricks
One instinct you may have when you see cracks in your walls is to fix them yourself, but cracks in bricks are not just an issue on the surface. A short-term fix might cause long-term problems. If you ignore the underlying foundation problem, it will worsen and cost more money to fix.
So, your best bet is to call a professional. Professionals will come to survey the damage and determine what kind of foundation repair is needed on your home. So, they may need to stabilize or strengthen the foundation or support or correct leaning or bowing walls. Depending on the type of foundation issue, Jerry’s will use the following solutions:
Remember, DIY isn’t always the best option. Calling a professional will be the best solution if you have cracked brickwork in your home. The experts at Jerry’s Waterproofing can walk you through cracked brick repair solutions that will work best for your home. Contact us for a quote!