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Brick & Masonry Experts in Metro Detroit

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Q: Mark H. from Bloomfield Hills asks

The brick under my bay window looks a little uneven and a few bricks seem to be sticking out slightly. What causes that and how do you fix it?

Answer

When brick under a window starts shifting, something behind it has usually weakened. In Bloomfield Hills, we see this from years of moisture working its way in. The brick doesn’t just move for no reason.

A proper brick repair means taking those loose bricks out, fixing what’s behind them, and putting matching brick back in so it’s straight and solid again. When it’s done right, you won’t even notice the repair. Waiting usually just means the movement spreads across a bigger section of wall.

Bloomfield Hills at Lone Pine & Lahser

Q: Nicole D. from Birmingham asks

There are cracks and small gaps in the mortar between the bricks around my front porch. Is that just old house stuff, or does it turn into something bigger?

Answer

That is “old house stuff.” but its old house stuff that will spread & get worse as time passes. We see porch brick and mortar break down all the time in Birmingham after years of weather. Once those gaps open up, water starts getting in there. When that water freezes and expands, it slowly pushes things apart even more.

A simple tuckpointing repair now keeps moisture out & the bricks tightly in place. Small fix now beats big fix later, every time.

Birmingham at Maple & Woodward

Q: Dan W. from Livonia asks

Small chunks of cement keep from my chimney onto my roof. How serious is that?

Answer

That’s a sign the upper part of the chimney is deteriorating. It’s likely that your chimney crown has cracks & has begun falling apart. This often happens on homes in Livonia after years of exposure to weather. Having your chimney inspection is recommended. You didn’t mention any leaks so that’s a good sign but we’d guess a leak isn’t too far behind if pieces of your chimney have begun to fall away. Ignoring it allows damage to move downward making it a larger chimney repair as time passes.

Livonia at Plymouth & Merriman

Q: Jason T. from Macomb Township asks

My roofer said some bricks near my chimney flashing need to be fixed before they can finish their work. Why does that matter?

Answer

Roofers need solid brick to properly install flashing around a chimney. Cracked or loose bricks behind the flashing won’t provide a sturdy surface for the flashing to hold & will create a weak seal. If the brick isn’t stable, water can continue to get in even after roofing work is done. Once the bricks are replaced, the roofer can complete their work properly & can be confident they’re leaving you with properly installed flashing.

You’re actually lucky to have hired your particular roofer. We’ve had customers get chimney leaks because their roofer went ahead & put flashing on damaged bricks and never told their customer about the damaged bricks.

You might want to buy your roofer a cup of coffee for saving you from a future headache.

Macomb Township at 23 Mile & Garfield

Q: Rick P. from Beverly Hills asks

A tree branch hit the back of my house and knocked pieces off a few bricks on the corner. Can that small section be repaired?

Answer

Yes, impact damage like that can usually be limited to the area that was hit as long as it didn’t damage the framing behind it. If the framing behind those bricks is damaged, a carpenter may need to repair the framing prior to installing the replacement bricks. More times than not, it’s been our experience that the damage is limited to the bricks & a carpenter won’t be required. Most homeowners are surprised how clean these repairs can look after they’re completed.

Beverly Hills at 13 Mile & Lahser

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