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Brick & Masonry Experts in Metro Detroit

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Q: Barb V. from Berkley asks

At what point do loose bricks at the top of a chimney need to be rebuilt instead of patched?

Answer

Once they’re moving or separating, patching isn’t doing anything. At that point we tear out those top rows and rebuild them solid because the underlying structure has already started failing. Patching loose chimney bricks is never a good  idea because it temporarily hides the real problem instead of fixing it. Eventually the patch fails, water keeps getting in, and the damage usually comes back worse than before. The top of the chimney takes the worst weather out of the entire structure because it’s exposed from every direction year round. One thing homeowners can do is keep the chimney crown sealed and make sure the chimney cap is intact so less water gets into the masonry to begin with.

Berkley at Coolidge & Catalpa

Q: Rick R. from Auburn Hills asks

If bricks are going bad right under my downspout, is that something that will keep happening even after a repair?

Answer

It will if the water keeps hitting the same spot. We fix the brick first, then you’ve got to deal with where that water’s going. Otherwise you’re calling me again in a few years for the same exact issue. A lot of times the downspout is dumping too much water into one area and the brick keeps soaking up moisture every time it rains. Once water gets behind the face of the brick and freezes during winter, it slowly starts breaking the brick apart from the inside out. Even something as simple as adding a gutter extension or redirecting the downspout farther away from the wall can make a big difference long term.

Auburn Hills at Baldwin & Walton Blvd

Q: Terry J. from Waterford asks

Why do the mortar joints closest to the ground always seem to wear out first on brick houses?

Answer

Because that lower section stays wet longer than the rest of the wall. We see it constantly in Waterford where snow, rain splash, and wet ground conditions keep soaking the bottom courses of brick throughout the year. Over time the mortar absorbs that moisture and starts crumbling apart faster than the upper areas. We remove the deteriorated joints and refill them properly so the wall isn’t constantly pulling moisture into those lower sections anymore. Homeowners usually notice it first near porches, garage walls, or areas where snow piles up during winter. If those lower joints are ignored too long, it can eventually lead to loose bricks and larger repair areas spreading across the base of the wall.

Waterford at Cass Lake & Cooley Lake

Q: Steven V. from Canton asks

The lower half of my chimney still looks okay, but I’m seeing cracks forming near the top by the crown. Is that something you can repair before the whole chimney starts deteriorating?

Answer

Yes, and honestly that’s the ideal time to catch it. We’ve repaired a lot of chimneys in Canton where the upper section takes the worst beating from weather and temperature changes because it’s fully exposed year-round. If the damage is mostly up top, we can usually rebuild just that section and stop it from spreading farther down the chimney. Once water keeps getting in through those cracks, the freeze and thaw cycles start breaking things down faster every season. Many homeowners wait until bricks start falling or leaning & act surprised about the cost to fix it after putting it off for a long time, but repairing the top early can save a large portion of the chimney from needing major reconstruction later.

Canton at Ford Rd & Sheldon Rd

Q: Michelle R. from Farmington Hills asks

A few bricks near the corner of my house are starting to peel and crack apart. Does that usually mean moisture got into that area or is it more of a structural issue?

Answer

Most of the time it’s moisture damage limited to that section of wall. We’ve done a lot of these repairs in Farmington Hills where one side of the home takes more rain and snow exposure and the bricks slowly start absorbing water over the years. Usually we remove only the damaged bricks and tie new ones back into the wall so everything blends in naturally. In many cases, the rest of the wall is still in good shape and doesn’t need major work. The main thing is getting those weakened bricks out before moisture spreads farther into the surrounding area and starts affecting more of the wall.

Farmington Hills at 13 Mile & Middlebelt

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