Winter is tough on your home and property, especially when you have a lot of brick or stone features such as patios, walkways, and chimneys. The snow, cold, and ice can get into tiny cracks, resulting in bigger problems when the temperatures plummet. If ignored, this winter damage will weaken your masonry work, which equals costly and time-consuming repairs.
But with a little forethought and preparation, it’s possible to protect your masonry from the Michigan’s nasty winter weather so it looks great all season long. Let’s take a look at how winter affects your home’s masonry and how you can deal with it. If you do discover damage come spring, hire a trusted masonry contractor in Northville MI to repair or replace it.
Winter’s Impact on Brick and Stone
Winter weather is brutal on your masonry structures thanks to the combination of freezing temperatures, persistent temperature changes, and moisture. Here’s how that combination can affect masonry.
1. Freeze-Thaw Cycle
The freeze-thaw cycle is one of the more damaging processes for masonry in winter. Water from ice, rain, or snow gets into tiny cracks in your bricks or mortar. Then, when the temperature drops, the water freezes and then expands, placing pressure on the bricks and resulting in wider cracks. Repeating this cycles results in weakening, flaking, and crumbling — a process called “spalling.”
2. Moisture Penetration
Snow and ice melt into your masonry cracks, refreezing when temperatures drop. The result? Internal damage that you are not even aware of until the problem worsens. Moisture also causes chalky, white salt deposits known as efflorescence.
3. Frost Heaving
The ground underneath your bricks shifts during winter with expansion due to freezing temperatures. Known as frost heaving, this can result in cracks in patios, walkways, and foundations.
4. Mortar Joint Degradation
Mortar is the glue that holds your bricks or stones together, and it deteriorates at a faster rate than the bricks and stones. Once that mortar starts to crumble, it loosens the surrounding material.
How to Spot Winter Damage in Your Masonry
When you can recognize signs of winter damage early, you can prevent more serious and costly problems down the road. Keep an eye out for these common signs.
Cracked or Crumbling Mortar
If cracks are starting to form between the bricks or the mortar has started to crumble, this means the structure has been weakened due to the freeze-thaw cycle. Unstable masonry will result if ignored.
Loose or Shifting Bricks and Stones
Bricks and stones will start to shift out of place as the mortar weakens. You may start to notice uneven surfaces or gaps, signaling the need for repair to prevent more movement.
Chimneys and Fireplaces
Check for cracks in the chimney’s crown, as well as loose bricks or rusting chimney flashing. These signs indicate winter damage, and prompt repairs are in order to keep further deterioration from happening.
Patios, Walkways, and Retaining Walls
Outdoor masonry structures, such as patios and walkways, are vulnerable to the effects of frost heaving. Check for uneven surfaces, gaps between stones, or cracked pavers.
Steps to Protect Your Masonry
Ideally, you should be protecting your masonry before winter sets in. But here are some tips to follow if you haven’t already:
- Seal Cracks and Apply Waterproofing
- Perform Regular Chimney Maintenance
- Install a Chimney Cap
- Manage Your Home’s Drainage System
- Clean and Maintain Pavers
Contact Mortar City Masonry
If you have noticed any of the above signs of damage to your bricks or stones, call our masonry contractors in Michigan today at 586-533-1305 for a free quote and consultation.
