The bricks along the bottom of my garage wall seem to stay damp longer than the rest of the house. Is that a warning sign?
Answer
It can be. When brick stays wet for extended periods, it tends to deteriorate much faster than the surrounding areas. Sometimes it’s poor drainage, sometimes it’s a downspout issue, and sometimes it’s just years of water splashing against the same spot. Either way, moisture is usually the root cause, and identifying where that moisture is coming from is an important part of solving the problem. The bottom courses of brick are often the first place we see damage because that’s where water tends to collect and linger. If left unaddressed, the affected area can gradually expand beyond the section that’s currently showing signs of trouble.