Patching Those Masonry Walls

Most problems with brick or stone veneer develop at the mortar joints. The mortar can shrink causing the joint to open, and because it contains lime, the mortar can crumble. The freezing and thawing cycles that occur in colder climates, excess moisture, and settling can break down the mortar. To get the best watertight joints you'll have to remove that cracked and crumbling mortar and repoint those joints. This means you will need to fill them with new mortar.

If the cracks in the foundation are only up to 1/4" thick, they're not usually cause for concern. These are fairly common in homes. Even hairline cracks and slightly larger ones are easy to patch and not necessarily a large problem. To fill one of these smaller cracks first you must brush the dirt out of the crack. Usually, a stiff wire brush is the best tool to use here. You'll also need some manner of patching compound to fill the crack. Some of these products may also require a bonding agent, and this can be applied with a paintbrush. A putty knife is used first here, and you should apply at little more than the crack will hold. Then you should go back and use the putty knife to scrape off the excess compound.

The next step involves damping the crack with some water. When the edges start to dry, it’s best to cover them with a sheet of plastic and let the crack cure for a few days. Be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that you are doing what is correct.

The procedure above is for smaller cracks in the walls of your house. However, if the cracks are larger and they aren't parallel, you may have a structural problem. These cracks, as well as any cracks that cause leaking, should be inspected by a professional.

Stucco is another material used as an exterior finish on many masonry homes. It is a rigid substance and will crack if the house moves while settling or during an earthquake. Water damage can also appear if the substance is not properly applied. The chances are that you can handle minor repairs to stucco by yourself but that you might need to call a professional for any larger work. The most important thing to remember when dealing with stucco is that you’ll want the finished product to match in color with the existing wall.

There one more thing that the homeowner should know if they plan on working on their home … you’ll need to clean out all of the cracks that you want to repair. While some of the patching compounds don’t require that you do any preparation, there are those on the market where you’ll need to chisel out the cracks. Here you need a narrow blade cold chisel and a hammer. Make sure here to wear gloves and eye protection and try to undercut the edges as you go along.

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