Brick houses give the impression of solid structures. With so many homeowners accepting the “exposed brick” appearance for their homes, some issues are inevitable. Cracked bricks are a frequent problem with brick walls. While cracked brickwork often does not imply significant structural damage, it can make your home vulnerable to water damage and mold.
You may have observed cracks forming in the bricks of your home or foundation if it is mostly or entirely made of brick. As followed by the foundation and cracked brick repair experts, Brick cracks can be large or small, run across a whole wall or in secluded corners, but they can be frightening no matter how severe they are.
Such cracked bricks can be a real issue. However, that problem isn’t always clear to comprehend, particularly if you don’t have a professional’s perspective on home repair.
If you notice cracks in your home’s brick wall structures, it’s likely something much more severe is going on with your foundation structure. Read further to know how you can prevent your cracked bricks from becoming a much bigger problem with the help of our expertise.
Commonly used cracked brick repair methods by HydroHelp911:
HELICAL PIERS
Helical Piers, also popularly known as screw piles, are a prevalent foundation repair solution used to sustain your home’s foundation. This is also known as foundation underpinning. The piers are injected into stable soil or bedrock, which indefinitely stabilizes your home and can lift it back to its initial form. Portable equipment is used during installation, resulting in minimal disturbance to your home and property and with almost no mess!
Helical Piers are an underpinning solution for foundation settlement problems such as cracked bricks.
Know What is a Helical Pier?
SLAB PIERS
Slab piers are intended to be pushed down into the earth, avoiding soils unsuitable for weight support so that a whole and competent world supports your floor. Slab piers also allow you to push up your concrete slab back to its initial form, which often closes cracks and eliminates hazardous situations. A settling concrete slab can lead to serious structural issues in a home.
Slab settlement issues are usually prompted by shifting soil conditions beneath the slab. One of the most likely reasons is soil drying and shrinking caused by HVAC systems and soil consolidation caused by improper compressed fill soils during construction.
PUSH PIERS
Push piers cease settlement and elevate the foundation back to the initial position, closing cracks and enhancing window and door functioning in many cases.
Push piers can be inserted inside or outside the foundation walls and are not visible once the repair is finished.
Push Piers are installed in bedrock the most stable soil level and provide a long-term solution to foundation settlement.
The Push Piers not only stabilize your home, but they often provide the best chance to return to its previous level, thereby boosting home value.
During installation, small, portable equipment is used to minimize mess and disruption to your assets and home’s convenience.
Types of Cracks in the Bricks
EXTERIOR CRACKS
Small cracks in the brick exterior walls (one-sixteenth of an inch hairline cracks, for example) are generally not a reason for concern. They are usually purely aesthetic cracks due to exposure to harsh conditions.
Small brick cracks are frequently repairable; however, cosmetic cracks can develop into structural issues over time if left unchecked. The cost of repairing a cracked brick wall, as stated by HydroHelp911, is relatively low compared to significantly more significant structural issues.
VERTICAL CRACKS
When bricks expand and shrink, warmer weather can cause this cracked brick to split in mortar joints.
However, if you notice wall cracks in your interior brick walls, this could indicate foundation damage. Keep an eye out for any gaps in your brick wall and keep track of whether the cracks are getting more extensive or more numerous.
HORIZONTAL CRACKS
Long horizontal brick outdoor cracks can imply a structural problem due to soil movement or degradation of the material, particularly in older homes; if not appropriately maintained to alleviate the brick cracking, you should learn about cracked brick wall maintenance.
When you notice long horizontal cracks, you should call a cracked brick repair professional because this is a severe problem that must be addressed right away.
STAIR-STEP CRACKS
Stair-step cracks in your exterior brick wall are usually signs that your house foundation will settle and plunge into the ground. Other indicators, such as cracks in the walls, doors or windows that are beginning to warp, or floors that are compelled to slopes, call for a closer inspection. If you see any of these additional signs, you should contact a local foundation repair professional for cracked brick repair solutions as quickly as possible.
Repairing Cracked Brick Walls
Foundation issues most often worsen over time. The more you delay having it repaired, the more likely it will spread to other regions of your home’s foundation. Taking the time to address your foundational issues early on will benefit you greatly in the long term.
HydroHelp911 specializes in all types of foundation repair. Our cracked brick and foundation repair team provides free inspections to give you a sense of security or determine how to solve your problem. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you suspect you have a foundation problem, such as cracks in the bricks or water leaking into your home in the USA.
What are the common signs indicating foundation issues?
A significant proportion of foundational issues are caused by changes in the soil properties around and beneath your home. Oversaturation, an excess of organic materials, or an excess of soil erosion are all factors that contribute to foundational problems in your home.
Furthermore, foundational issues may be challenging to detect. Look for the following warning signs:
Inside:
- Cracks in the drywall or the ceiling.
- Doors and windows are not properly closing.
- Concrete floor cracks
- Floors that are slanted or sagging.
- Under your house, there are sagging support beams.
- Water is dripping into your basement.
- Walls that are bowing.
- Walls with cracks in them.
Outside:
- Gaps between doors and windows
- Failure of waterproofing
- Sinking porch
- Chimneys that are sagging
- Standing water in the vicinity of the foundation.
Is it possible for me to repair cracked bricks on my own?
Home repairs are unquestionably costly. Some people attempt to do their home repairs rather than hire a professional to save money. While this is useful for minor cosmetic issues, brick cracks are not. These are just a handful of the reasons why you might not be able to repair cracked bricks on your own.
- Deeper than the surface:
Brick cracks extend much deeper than the surface. If you try to fix these problems yourself, you’ll most likely cover up the damages and call it a day. The trouble is that this does not solve anything.
Remember that a crack in a brick house implies a severe issue. These cracks indicate a problem with your foundation. Depending on the home, the issue is sinking, rising, or something else, but cracks often indicate foundational problems.
- Expenses can quickly add up:
There are DIY fixes available to help you save money. In a few cases, this can be a money saver; You may not even save money by attempting to repair brick cracks on your own. If you rent specialized equipment and purchase specialized products, the cost can quickly exceed what you’d pay a professional.
- Legal issues:
If you look into home repair, you’ll quickly discover that there are many legal requirements you’ll have to meet if you’re going to make any significant changes to your home. These legal requirements ensure that the house you live in is stable and will not collapse.
However, this can cause issues for people wanting to make significant changes without consulting a professional. How would you know what adjustments you can make without a permit and when to apply for one?
That is why it is critical to rely on professionals to repair brick cracks. Professionals understand precisely what to do and what not to do, as well as the legal requirements they’ll need to meet.
How are cracks formed due to ground heave?
The crack style is similar to that of a subsidence crack, but the crack will be most significant at the bottom of the wall. The most common issue of ground heave is clay subsoil expansion. The clay in older homes with shallow foundations can expand and contract depending on the weather. When the clay becomes soaked, it develops and pushes the foundations upwards, causing cracks. Tree removal can also cause ground heave. That is why trees that are too connected to the property should be removed in stages, gradually over several years to allow for gradual ground movement.
