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Spalling Brick Repair Cost

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Spalling brick repair cost – Have you noticed any bricks around your home that seem to be water damaged, crumbly, or out of place? You may have spalling bricks on your hands. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to identify spalling brick, how much spalling brick repairs can cost, and compare DIY fixes to professional masonry services. If you have any questions about spalling brick repairs, contact the masonry experts at Royal Masonry now!

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Spalling Brick Repair Cost

See below to find out the average of spalling brick repair costs for DIY repairs and professional repairs. To learn more about each of these methods in detail, keep on reading!

What Is Spalling Brick?

Spalling brick is a form of brick damage. “Spalling” is simply a term used to describe the flaking, crumbling, peeling or popping off of pieces of brick from the surface.

Spalling occurs when water absorbs into the brick, from rain, snow, or even wet soil around your home.

During cold Canadian winters, this moisture inside the brick can freeze and then expand. When this happens, it can eventually lead to cracks in the brick. With repeated freezing and thawing, the fractures widen until the brick actually begins to fall apart.

Spalling brick can even occur in warm climates, where freezing and thawing is not a problem. It can happen if bricks are improperly made or overly porous. However, due to the nature of spalling, it is a more common problem in cold climates.

Where Does Spalling Brick Normally Occur?

Spalling brick can occur anywhere you have brickwork and masonry! However, here are the most common areas on or around your home that you will notice spalling brick:

  • Chimneys – An often-forgotten part of the home, chimney bricks can easily become damaged due to regular wear-and-tear or weather.
    Average cost: $750.00 – 1000.00
  • Foundations – Cracked bricks can occur in your home’s foundation, and this should be resolved as quickly as possible to ensure there is not more serious damage.
    Average cost: $900.00 – $1200.00 – The cost can be significantly more for extensive damage.
  • Patios – Patios made with bricks often see mortar begin to crumble over time.
    Average cost: approximately $450.00
  • Stairs – Outdoor stairways are often made with bricks and can quickly become weathered and damaged.
    Average cost: It depends on the damage; it’s usually not very expensive.

How To Repair Spalling Brick & Average Costs

If the above description sounds like something you are dealing with or the image above looks familiar, you will want to begin the repair process as soon as possible. Leaving damaged and spalling bricks for too long can create further damage and problems, such as leaks or more serious cracks.

When it comes to repairing spalling brick, you have two options: repair it yourself, or hire the professionals. We’ll take a look at both of these options to help you make an informed decision.

DIY Spalling Brick Repair

Upfront Cost: $200.00 – $500.00+ (can be more or less depending on damage)
Ideal For: Light damage, Homeowners familiar with required tools and repair processes, experienced handymen, homeowners with extra time on their hands.

If you are interested in DIY spalling brick repair, there are many how-to guides and videos online that can help you. ProConstructionGuide.com outlines the steps needed to fix your bricks.

LIST OF TOOLS AND MATERIALS NEEDED

  • Tape measure
  • Extension cord
  • Dust mask
  • Earplugs / protection
  • Safety glasses
  • Work gloves
  • Wheelbarrow
  • Brick
  • Mortar
  • Hammer
  • Sledgehammer
  • Spade
  • Utility Knife
  • Circular saw
  • Masonry blade
  • Cold chisel
  • Level
  • Trowel

If you already have most of the tools required, your repair costs will be much lower than the homeowner who must buy all of the materials above! If you do not have any tools listed above, you could be looking at $300.00+ in supplies. Keep in mind this number can widely vary depending on your local hardware store, the brands you purchase, how much brick you need to repair, etc.

Now that you have your materials, move on to the next steps!

STEP 1: IDENTIFY AND REPAIR THE SOURCE OF THE MOISTURE CAUSING THE DAMAGE

In order to properly repair the damaged bricks, you need to figure out where the moisture is coming from. If you do not, your newly repaired bricks will suffer the same fate as your damaged bricks!

STEP 2: REMOVE THE DAMAGED BRICKS

Gather your chisel, hammer, and a power drill with a masonry cutting wheel. Using these materials, begin to remove and chip away at the spalling bricks. You will also want to use your chisel to extract the old mortar, as that will be replaced.

 

 

STEP 3: CLEAN THE OPENING

Once you remove your damaged bricks, you will be left with an opening where the old brick was. Dirt and debris can quickly pile up inside this opening. Carefully clean the inside of the opening with a wire brush. Once you have removed all visible dust and dirt, thoroughly rinse out the opening.

STEP 4: INSTALL THE NEW BRICKS

The next step is to install your brand new bricks! Take your fresh mortar and coat the back and sides of the opening. Carefully push your new brick into the opening. Once it is in place, you will want to then apply more mortar around the brick.

In order to avoid messy and slopping looking mortar, you will need to carefully and skillfully apply it to the outside of the brick.

Note that is is the most difficult step in the process, so it is advised that you take your time if you have never done this before! If not, you may end up with messy looking bricks in a best case scenario, or improperly installed bricks in a worst case.

STEP 5: CURE THE MORTAR.

Over the next three days, you should be careful around your newly installed bricks and ensure you ‘cure’ your mortar. You can cure your mortar by misting it and following the process on Proconstructionguide.com.

Professional Brick Repair

Upfront Cost: $1,100.00 on average (can be more or less depending on damage)
Ideal For: Inexperienced handymen, light – severe damage, homeowners looking for peace of mind

There is usually no getting around it – if you work with a professional masonry company to complete your brick repairs, you will pay more upfront. However, for many homeowners this extra cost is worth it – and can even save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars down the road.

Though working with the professionals will likely cost more, you will have peace of mind knowing that your brick is repaired at professional standards. This means you won’t have to worry about further damage, missing an important step in the repair process, or having to re-do fixes in the near future.

If you have a very minor problem, such as a single damaged brick or two, it may be worth it to do it yourself. If you already have the tools, materials, and know-how, you can probably fix the problem without too much time and effort.

However, if you notice serious damage, extensive damage, or suspect that the damage goes deeper than just surface-level problems, you may want to consider hiring the pros. Professionals can properly assess the damage, accurately tell you where the damage is coming from, and fix both deeper and surface level problems.

Work With Masonry Professionals Today!

The team at Royal Masonry has built a solid reputation for superior customer service and the highest quality stone masonry craftsmanship in Southern Ontario. Our mission is to provide you with the best quality workmanship at the right price. You can be certain that we will get the job done right the first time.

Our professional approach and superior customer service mean that you can relax in the knowledge that your project is in safe hands. Trust the experts at Royal Masonry with any masonry service you require. Contact us today and find out for yourself why our customers highly recommend us to their friends and family.

DO YOU HAVE A MASONRY PROJECT IN MIND?

Sources:

improvenet.com / familyhandyman.com / homeadvisor.com