If your house or commercial building has brick or stone walls, you’ll need to hire a masonry contractor at some point in its lifetime. Especially here in Minnesota, where exposure to the elements can significantly damage the brick or stone wall structure over time, this can be especially true. Most masonry-related issues are caused by a concept known as “settlement.” This is when the soil surrounding your home experiences shrinking. In Minnesota, this is very common because of the freezing and thawing cycle we experience. The thaw causes settling to happen much faster as soil turns to mud in the spring before the summer heat has a chance to dry it out.
Issues like settling can lead to disastrous consequences for you as a homeowner or business owner. Anything from water infiltration, to extreme loss of heat, to foundation problems can make your house or commercial building unsafe. That is why it is so important to know the signs of masonry wear and tear. Here at Wohlwend Concrete, we are the trusted masonry contractor for Roseville and the surrounding areas and can address any masonry issues: old or new. So, when you see any of the following signs, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Vertical cracks. This kind of crack can be normal and is a function of natural expansion. However, the problem with vertical cracks is that they’ll let water seep in during heavy rains, leading to bulging brick or, if left unfixed, damage to the inner wall. This is a fairly simple fix for an experienced masonry contractor.
Bulging brick. This is when the bricks in the outer wall either jut out or cave in around a certain area. This is caused by moisture that has seeped in behind it. That moisture either warps the concrete and the bricks and forces them to push out or sink in. A masonry contractor like ours can remove the affected bricks, assess and fix the damage behind them and then replace the masonry to rebuild that section of the outer wall.
Mortar deterioration. This is when the mortar between bricks starts to buckle or disintegrate. With no healthy buffer between bricks, they start to loosen up and rub against each other causing damage and warping. A masonry contractor can simply replace or reinforce the mortar, known as tuck pointing.
These are just some of the major signs your building could be in need of a masonry contractor. To learn more about hiring our masonry contractor for your Roseville area home or business, call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610, or you can contact us and request a Free Estimate.