The mortar beneath my window looks cracked while the rest of the wall seems fine. Why does that area wear out faster?
Answer
Mortar beneath windows often deteriorates faster because that area receives more water runoff. Where you live in Novi near 10 Mile Rd and Novi Rd as well as the rest of the Metro Detroit area experiences this often. Rainwater running down the windowsill onto the wall below it tends to collect near window ledges before continuing downward. Over time that moisture exposure weakens the mortar joints more quickly. Think of it as a mini waterfall. Depending on which way the rain is coming down due to the wind may make one side of your house see more of this while another side of your house remains dry as a bone. Replacing mortar joints by tuckpointing restores the structural bond between bricks and helps prevent moisture from entering the wall.
