Brick
Brick is a popular exterior facing for houses. Its' prevalence is due to properties of durability, strength, fire resistance and visual appeal. Over the brick home's long lifespan, the brick will inevitably require minor tuckpointing and modification allowing for new/old doors and windows. The need for more major repair can largely be attributed to one thing- water. Clay brick is porous, and therefore soaks and wicks water. For this reason, brick should be laid above grade and below the overhanging soffit of the roof.
Typical brick repair involves tuckpointing damaged mortar joints and replacing damaged brick. It is a good idea to repair this damage sooner rather than later. As time goes by, the damage will be amplified. Windowsills are of particular interest when inspecting for brick damage because they are more exposed. We often advise customers to replace brick windowsills with solid stone. Most types of brick used before 1980 are still widely available today, making seamless repairs possible. Along with matching the brick, we also take the time to match the mortar colour.
During renovations plans often require changes to the openings in the brick. The openings for windows and doors are typically small and therefore do not mar the brick structure. They require us to install steel lentils to support the brick above, and it's a good idea to install a stone sill to protect the brick below from water damage. Larger openings, such as those that allow for open space additions are more involved. The structure of the wall needs to be shored before removing large parts of structural wall.
Three Story Brick Install on Renovated House
Brick Install on Single Story Addition
Change a Bedroom Window into a Bathroom Window on Renovated House
