It is our experience that most homeowners who see cracked brick walls, deteriorating brick, or bulging brick walls around their home are immediately concerned about structural failure, settling, or foundational issues.
While, in some instances the worst may be true; brick wall issues are far more likely to be caused by small cracks or holes in the mortar. Once moisture enters the breach, it spreads along the least path of resistance, creating lengthy cracks in walls.
For your peace of mind, Omega Masonry has an on-sight engineer who will thoroughly examine your load-bearing walls, inspect your foundation, and even examine your eaves and gutters to ensure that the brick repair we bid on will not require a return trip. In the event that structural issues are detected, we will honestly advise you about our findings and may even recommend that you procure the services of a structural engineer.
If no major structural issues exist, you will be pleased to know that Omega has teams of roofing specialists and landscaping experts who help us address things like roof and gutter leaks or ground-level shallow spots that may be collecting water at the base of your brick wall.
Surmounting Challenging Brick Repair Ventures
Structural repairs on load-bearing walls are often the most difficult to surmount. Our engineers and masonry team expertly assesses the condition of each line of brick in order to safely replace deteriorated brick sections. The result is a professional and stable repair that will continue to perform its intended role for years to come.
Brick Column Repair takes Many Forms
Although we often don’t realize it, brick columns are all around us. They come in the form of support pillars on retaining walls, brick chimneys, column property markers or address pillars, column mailboxes, porch support pillars and more.
No matter what the column is designed to do, it requires regular care and maintenance, a good internal support system, and adequate and appropriate drainage.
Brick columns should seldom be sealed with a sealant. Although modern brick is extremely dense and doesn’t absorb much moisture, brick created prior to the turn of the century expands and contracts according to the moisture in the air. Column brick deterioration often occurs when unyielding mortars have been combined with porous brick. Mortars should be mixed so that their porosity closely matches that of the brick, so that the expansion/contraction rates remain compatible. (For a full treatise on this subject please view this article: Brick Wall Repairs
Settling issues can occur along any type of column – even chimneys, if the roofing materials beneath it become compromised. Brick columns that are sagging, buckling, or showing evidence of cracked mortars, deteriorating brick, or staining should be attended to as quickly as possible in order to prevent permanent damage. Omega Masonry presents you with viable solutions to any of the aforementioned situations.
Brick Fireplace Repair – Indoor or Outdoor
Brick fireplaces are not only functional, they are pleasing and attractive. Many older homes have existing brick fireplaces that are never used. Some believe that the price for repairing a malfunctioning brick fireplace might be prohibitive; but restoration is often much simpler than one might think.
First, brick fireplaces can deteriorate from the inside as quickly as they can from the outside. Nonetheless, if the cause of deterioration is cracked or flaking mortar, restoration can be completed quickly and economically.
And what about chimneys? Even chimneys that have long been left to the elements are not difficult to refurbish. In fact, the task can often be completed in the same amount of time it takes to re-build or retrofit a damaged column mailbox.
Our fireplace and roofing team won’t pull any punches. After our engineer and installation team consult, they will provide you an honest assessment regarding your fireplace or chimney project.
Managing Brick Privacy Screens and Retaining Walls
Omega’s retaining walls, privacy fences, and privacy screens are renowned throughout Texas. We are equally adept at designing, installing and repairing commercial or domestic endeavors.
Rest assured that our engineers and masons take immense pride in their work, and are ready to help you with any brick repair you may need.
