Have you been noticing chips and cracks in your brick lately? Over time, bricks can become damaged and weathered. While these small chips and cracks might not weaken the structure significantly, they can be an eyesore. Brick patch repair is an easy way to fix small brick damage quickly.

This form of brick repair is just patching the hole of the brick with colored mortar or silicone caulk. First, the area must be thoroughly cleaned. We do this either with a pressure hose or with compressed air. Once the area has been cleansed, we scrub it with write bristles to loosen all the grime. Then, we make sure none of that grime is leftover by spraying the area with compressed air.

The next step is to acquire brick dust of the same color as the brick we plan on repairing. Sometimes we will have to do this by pulverizing a brick of the same color. Once we have acquired enough dust, we will slowly mix it into the mortar until we have a paste that will match the brick.

We will then apply the paste to the chip until it wells a bit over the surface of the brick. If we stopped here, it might look odd. We have to recreate the texture of the brick on the surface of the mortar mixture. We do this with an extra brick. All we have to do is press the extra brick onto the paste. This firmly secures the mixture within the crack or chip while also giving the paste a brick-like texture. After this process is completed and we have cleaned up the excess brick, you should barely be able to tell any damage was ever present.

Another method we might use if the cracks or chips are extremely small involves silicone caulking. For this method, we will use silicone caulking to fill the chip or crack. While the caulking is often colored, it will not match the color of your brick exactly. This is where the brick dust comes in. We will apply brick dust to the brick by putting it onto a trowel then pressing the trowel into the caulking. While this will not look as seamless as the above method, it often does not matter because the affected area is so small.

There are some cases where brick patch repair is not enough. If you have a crack in your brick that looks rather severe, call a masonry contractor to assess the damage. On the other hand, smaller cracks might not even need to be repaired. To test whether or not repair is necessary, see if you can put a dime into the crack. If the dime fits, you might need a brick patch. This is because a crack of this size allows too much moisture to enter the structure.

If you are interested in brick patch repair for your home, contact us today. A representative from our staff will help you set up an appointment. We look forward to your call.

Common Methods of Cast Stone Repair

Cast stones have been used as early as the 12th century to replicate the look of natural carved stones. Now, cast stones are fabricated in many ways for use as ornaments and trimmings for buildings and outdoor structures. Cast stone repair is a necessary process as these stones are bound to deteriorate over time.

One of the most common signs of deterioration is the separation of the core and facing layers. Deterioration may also be observed in eroded aggregate and cementing matrix, as well as corroded steel reinforcement, cramps, and anchors. If any of these damages are observed, cast stone repair is in order.

Cast Stone Maintenance

The maintenance of cast stone is required to prolong the life of these masonry installations. Two of the most common methods of care are cleaning and repointing. Cleaning cast stone installations is done with the use of alkaline pre-wash or special acids, especially if the stone is made up of limestone or marble aggregates. Otherwise, acidic cleaners used for sandstones and natural granites are used instead. Cleaning may also involve sandblasting or wet grit blasting, especially if tenacious soiling has already occurred. However, these cleaning methods should only be done by a cast stone repair professionals as they may cause serious damage to the surface if not done properly.

On the other hand, repointing pertains to the replacement of the historic mortar performed on cracked and open joints, with the exact color of the sand and cement matrix painstakingly matched. However, unnecessary repointing may cause significant damage. It is best to consult with a cast stone expert prior to doing anything related to this task.

Cast Stone Repair

Weathering is one of the most common issues with cast stones. Some of the most common repair methods include securing separated surface facing, which in some cases have to be done by an art conservator if historic elements or structures are involved. Otherwise, the use of special grout and resin adhesive will suffice.

Another popular method of repair is spall reinforcement. Mechanical damages eventually occur in cast stones and if they do, composite repairs are necessary. Examples would be damaged corners, drilled holes, and rusting reinforcement bars. However, this job should only be done by an experienced mason so as to adequately resolve the problem instead of compounding it.

Surface finishing is yet another popular method of restoring damaged cast stone. While this method involves tooling and grinding, masonry stains and silicate paints may be used to restore the original patterned pigmentation of the surface. A special type of surface coating is also added to trap in moisture and prevent deterioration.

Consult With Experts

The meticulous job of cast stone repair warrants the services of dedicated professionals. When projects of this nature arise, consult only with the experts. You should get high-quality services as the aesthetic and structural integrity of the structure is in question here. Find experts in your area and make sure that you consult only with cast stone repair professionals with decades of experience in the field.