If you need brickwork repaired at your home, whether to your porch, steps, walkway or retaining wall, you may wonder: how long will those repairs last? The good news is, when done correctly by a reputable bricklayer, brick repairs on average last 25 years or more. The key part of that sentence is reputable contractor.
Sadly, many brick repair companies claim to be the best and use the highest quality materials but they often fall short on those promises, taking shortcuts that can greatly reduce the lifespan of your brick repair. Here at It’s the Brick Guys, 30 percent of our business involves re-doing repairs that another contractor did three to five years ago.
Life Expectancy of Brick
In terms of the bricks themselves, you may wonder what their lifespan is and what you can realistically expect out of them. Brick is a commonly used material when it comes to building houses, walkways, brick patio in Michigan, and porches. It’s understandable that you would want to get the most bang for your buck when making an investment in brick work. Fortunately, brick can last hundreds of years if it’s installed properly and has been well cared for.
This sturdy material can easily last for the lifetime of your house. In fact, you probably don’t have to do much in the way of real maintenance for the first two or three decades. After that, repairs may be called for as you keep an eye on the condition of your bricks. They can last several hundred years with TLC.
What Impacts the Longevity of Brick?
From freeze and thaw damage to erosion, there are many things that can affect the lifespan of your brickwork.
Freeze Damage
Because brick is continuously exposed to the elements, it can crack after it gets wet and then freezes, over and over. Freeze damage occurs when moisture gets into the bricks’ pores, something that can happen when bricks are under-fired during their creation. Moisture gets into those tiny cracks, then freezes and expands. Cracking can result. There’s really nothing you can do about this, as you can’t protect them from the constant exposure to the elements.
Erosion
This can occur anywhere you have bricks, but especially in damp spots, such as crawlspaces and basements. Moisture gets in, erodes the bricks, and compromises their integrity over time. Again, there’s not much you can do about this, no matter how well you maintain the bricks. Be sure to replace them if you notice signs of erosion. If you live in a salty climate, be aware that salt increases the erosion rates.
Brick Mortar Damage
Mortar is what holds the bricks together. When it breaks down or gets damaged, the structure can be compromised, usually due to corrosion. You will need to hire a masonry contractor in Michigan to repair or replace the mortar in a timely fashion.
Powdery Substance
Bricks often start to discolor after a few decades, usually due to the mineral buildup in the air. The moisture that collects on your bricks contains minerals; when the moisture starts to evaporate, it leaves a powdery substance behind. This can compromise brick strength. You can rinse it off with clean water periodically, making sure the bricks dry completely.
Schedule Your Free Estimate on Brick Repairs Today
The brick installers here at It’s The Brick Guys know the importance of integrity, quality, and attention to detail. That’s why our guaranteed brick repair services in Michigan ensure that your brick structure gives you many years and decades of life. Call us to schedule your free estimate and consultation on brick repairs in Royal Oak and beyond.
