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Brick Masonry Issues with Bonding Different Building Materials

Brick right from the kiln are moisture free but start absorbing moisture and start expanding immediately.

Each type of building material expands and contracts at expansion rates different from that of brick masonry.

These differences are important when elements such as window frames, are attached to brick masonry. Distress may occur in either material.

There are many examples of different building materials creating bonding problems and causing cracks in brick and mortar. Let’s look at several.

Here is a porous window sill. Mortar is cracked too, but we are showing this for the failed caulked joint between the dissimilar materials between the window frame and the brick and mortar sill.

Brick sill has mortar ground out and replaced and the caulked joint has been replaced with a tooled elastomeric sealant.

Homes in the DFW area have lot of issues between brick and cast stone. This column has lost a section of cast stone because the brick portion of the column expanded and contracted at different rates than the cast stone.

Cast stone has been refastened into the column and a backer rod is being placed to create an expansion joint to absorb movement in the future.

The elastomeric sealant has been placed over the backer rod.

Here the expansion joint has been finished off with sand to improve the appearance. This is called a sanded joint

Sheetmetal counter flashing is a critical connection between mortar and metal to keep water out…

but being dissimilar materials with different temperature coefficients, for this bonding to work, it must be completed with an elastomeric caulking which creates an expansion joint to absorb the movement between dissimilar materials.

Here is the exposed gap between mortar and the meter counter flashing along this brick side wall.

Below is the repaired reglet joint- the joint connecting brick to sheet metal- with an elastomeric sealer covered with sand to match the existing mortar.

You may notice that this counterflashing is not to professional standards. The counterflashing should not touch the shingles. There is potential here for abrasion of the shingles. 

Brick Doctor determined that this situation was not a threat to the homeowner, and we did not recommend remediation. It would be an unneeded extra expense for the homeowner. 

Step flashing and counterflashing should be separate pieces of metal. See our discussion of flashing specifications here for more details.

Reglet joint caulked with elastomeric sealant and then covered with sand to match existing mortar.

Railings, where steel and brick intersect, can create issues with cracking.

Steel has a much higher temperature coefficient than the brick and mortar and with the length of the railing collecting linear change by temperature gain, this railing will push and pull at the brick and mortar. We have two separate pages which help explain what is happening and how to prevent cracking by proper design of moveable joints.

Steel hand railing being repositioned in an entry wall where it had cracked brick and mortar necessitating brick repair.

This decorative wall at the entry here has several issues, but we are drawing attention to the issue with a steel hand railing which created issues and needs repair.

Here is another example of problems between cast stone and brick

The joint between the dissimilar materials- the cast stone and the brick is porous and growing plants. Looks unattractive and water in mortar joints damages brick and mortar.

The joint between the dissimilar materials- the cast stone and the brick is porous and growing plants. Looks unattractive and water in mortar joints damages brick and mortar.

How Can We Help You with Porosity Problems in the joining of dissimilar materials connected to your brick and mortar?

Over the years, Brick Doctor has done just about everything when it comes to repairing and restoring the porous and deteriorated transitions  between dissimilar materials while repairing and restoring brick and mortar. We know what we are doing. Let us know if we can help you.

Don’t take our word for it. (Check out our testimonials and  reviews). And, even better, ask a neighbor for a recommendation. We have done tens of thousands of projects all over the DFW Metroplex since 1986, including for some of your neighbors.

Have any particular questions or concerns about brick or stone or mortar at your home? We can help.

Brick Doctor is always ready to answer your questions, address your concerns or provide an estimate for repairs designed for the scope of your needs.

We look forward to assisting you. Reach out today. Contact us

972-234-0900
817-540-1800
info@brickdoctor.com

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