Brick and Mortar: Fixing Your Brick Wall

Brick is nice because it doesn't require a lot of maintenance and gains character as it weathers. The only problem is that it can be difficult to make repairs those times when damage does occur. This reader's question is about making repairs to brick and concrete:

"A friend's house is showing signs of a cracked/sinking corner of the house foundation. What can be done to remedy this problem? What is the best way to repair the cracked exterior brick and interior walls?"

Brick walls can be a tricky subject

The cracking and sinking could be the result of the house still settling. If this is the case then it will continue to be an issue unless the area is excavated and the foundation is re-poured. Work on this type is generally best handled by a licensed contractor. Projects like this can be a serious undertaking and are usually best left to professionals and with a licensed contractor there is the additional security of a two year warranty as mandated by the state of Arizona.

Other than the foundation repairs as mentioned above, the only real alternative is to repair the grout or replace bricks if needed. This will make it look better but is ultimately only a temporary fix because without addressing the foundation problem the walls will continue to develop cracks.

The best course of action would be to contact a few contractors who are experienced in this area to take a look at it and provide a quote. This will give a good idea in how serious the problem is and what it would cost to make the repairs. As always, call Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista at 520-227-8194 for a free quote on this or any other home repair issue!