As a mason, I am surrounded by “brick work” on a daily
basis. Simply put, brickwork in the
field of masonry is when a masonry contractor repairs (sometimes by tuck-pointing
also known as re-pointing your bricks) or constructs a new project containing
bricks (e.g. a fireplace or chimney). Although
a pretty general term for masons, most people in the masonry field use this
term; those not in the field of masonry do not really know what brick work
means. Understanding why brickwork can
be important, its first important to understand the basics.
Bricks, although incredibly durable, are
subject to deterioration over time. The
lifespan of a brick can be hundreds of years; your mortar around the bricks is
a completely different story. Water
is a big culprit to the destruction of many structures. The process of bricks and mortar breaking
down can be accelerated by time and mostly by moisture; which St. Louis has had
its fair share of lately. The good news
is that there is a way to stop the deterioration process.
Water can be the most destructive force to
all elements of your home. The best way
to stop deterioration is to begin the repair process when you first see signs
of wear and tear or even better is to take care of a problem before it starts;
preventive maintenance of your brick structure may help save your
building. Taking care of your home chimney or other brick features through the practice of tuckpointing is one way
to stop this damage. Maintaining your home
and all its components, including bricks, can assure you have an edge against
water damage that can hurt your bricks structure and lead to potential future
costly issues. One sign you may need
your building repaired is the crumbling of the mortar around your bricks. Another sign may be water damage in your
home. Either way, it may be time to
call someone to repair your brick structure before further damage occurs.
