All brick houses, especially those built in Texas, are going to develop cracks over time. The combination of wear and tear from heat, weather, moisture, and foundation shifts, exert enough pressure over time that cracks are inevitable.
To fix cracked bricks in Dallas, your best bet is usually to hire a professional brick repair contractor to perform the repairs for you. There are some minor kinds of damage that are perfectly fine to do yourself if you're a handy sort of homeowner, but major repairs are too important (and technical) to attempt without lots of experience.
Weakened bricks lead to weakened walls and serious structural damage, so it's always important to address any cracks, or spalling (chipping and crumbling), you see right away.
But not every crack is equally as bad or as serious, so it's also important to be able to recognize and differentiate all the different types of cracked bricks and what they may indicate for the rest of your home.
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Cracked bricks in your Dallas home may reveal various issues, from minor settling to major structural problems. Understanding these cracks helps you know how to properly maintain your home and seek the right repairs, at the right time.
Horizontal cracks in bricks are typically the most serious, indicating significant structural issues. They often precede or accompany walls bowing inward, which should be considered an emergency repair job.
Horizontal cracks usually form due to extreme soil pressures, foundation problems, or the soil swelling during frosts. As clay expands with moisture, soil will exert force on foundation walls, leading to cracks. Water gathering near your home's foundation due to poor drainage worsens this problem, soaking the soil and causing it to swell massively.
Repairing horizontal brick cracks involves more than just patching -you'll need to address the underlying cause. Most likely you will need to improve your gutter system and extended downspouts to divert water away from your home's foundation.
In severe cases, wall anchors or braces may be required to prevent further bowing but a professional masonry expert will need to assess the situation and identify the best solution. Always consult a professional for horizontal cracks wider than 1/4 inch.
Vertical cracks in bricks are usually less of a concern but still require attention. They often result from normal settling or minor foundation movement -which is very typical in Dallas homes.
Vertical cracks typically emerge due to natural settling, thermal expansion and contraction, and weak mortar joints. Bricks expand in heat and contract in cooler temperatures, over time causing vertical cracks.
Moisture damage that weakens mortar can also to these cracks. This type of brick damage is less severe than horizontal cracks but vertical cracks still allow water intrusion and should be monitored.
To fix vertical brick cracks, the first step is to assess if they're still growing. Use a crack gauge or mark the crack's ends and monitor for changes. For stable cracks, just clean out the debris and apply masonry caulk or epoxy injection for a quick remedy. Alternatively, you can simply give us a call and we'll take care of it for you.
Wider or growing cracks may require repointing the mortar joints. If there is also spalling damage, replacement bricks will need to be sourced and installed.
Proper water drainage is the best defense against vertical cracks in bricks.
Diagonal or stair-step cracks in bricks are usually a sign of unevenness in your foundation, where the soil on one end of your house has sunken enough to cause strain in the exterior walls. These cracks can provide valuable information about your home's structural integrity and are used to visually trace foundation problems during an inspection.
The direction of diagonal cracks indicates where the foundation is settling. Where the cracks are widest at the top suggest settlement on that end of the house. In Dallas, the clay soil's tendency to shrink and swell with moisture changes inevitably causes this uneven settlement to occur. Trees near the foundation can also contribute by drawing moisture from the soil unevenly.
Addressing diagonal brick cracks starts with stabilizing the foundation. You might need to install piers or underpinning to level the foundation.
After the foundation repair, we can assist you in repairing the brick damage caused by the foundation issues by repointing the joints and replacing the affected bricks.
Also, you may want to consider installing a root barrier if nearby trees are causing your foundation problems, to avoid a repeat of the same situation in a few years.
Hairline cracks in bricks are common in Dallas homes. These tiny fissures, often thinner than 1/16 inch, can be a source of concern for homeowners but they're only a real problem under certain conditions.
Hairline cracks in bricks are typically superficial and don't pose any immediate structural risks. They're often the result of normal settling, brick or soil expansion, and mortar shrinking over time. These tiny fractures usually don't extend deeply enough into the brick to be a serious concern and may remain stable over time.
Several factors contribute to hairline cracks in Dallas brick homes, including hot Texas summers, freezing in the winter, damage from heavy rains, and wear and tear over time.
While most hairline cracks are not reason for concern, certain situations are worth a closer look. For example, if cracks widen over time, or more cracks appear, or you notice other related signs like doors and windows sticking, don't ignore these signs.
Any cracks that allow moisture into your home are serious concerns that require immediate attention.
To manage hairline cracks in your brickwork, make sure to:
Even though hairline cracks are usually harmless, it's worth staying on top of maintenance by monitoring any damage in your brick, regardless of how small. Regular visual inspections and taking prompt action will help prevent minor issues from becoming major headaches.
Cracked bricks in Dallas homes can sometimes be addressed through DIY repairs, but more frequently require specialized expertise. It all comes down to the severity of the damage in your brick exterior.
For very minor brick cracks, handy homeowners can tackle the repairs themselves. This approach saves money and provides a sense of accomplishment. But take care to assess the damage very carefully to determine if it is a good idea to attempt the repairs yourself.
Poor masonry work, due to inexperience with the techniques or with the materials, will cause more problems than it solves.
To mend small cracks in bricks, use mortar or epoxy. Clean the crack thoroughly with a wire brush, removing debris and loose particles.
For mortar repairs, dampen the area slightly before applying the mixture. Press the mortar into the crack using a pointing trowel, ensuring complete coverage. Smooth the surface and allow it to cure for 24 hours.
And for repairs using epoxy, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully, as the process may vary depending on the product.
When fixing cracked bricks, avoid these common issues:
These mistakes can lead to ineffective repairs and further damage, so it's important to proceed cautiously.
Worse, neglecting to address the underlying cause of the crack, like foundation issues or water damage, can result in recurring problems and wasted money.
While you may feel inclined to attempt DIY repairs for minor cracks, if you notice wide cracks (larger than 1/4 inch), multiple cracks in the same area, or cracks accompanied by other structural issues, it's time to contact a masonry expert.
Our Brick Experts team has specialized skills and tools, and years of experience, that allow us to accurately diagnose masonry problems and create long-lasting solutions.
We can also identify and address certain underlying issues that may be causing the cracks, and help you prevent future damage to your Dallas home's brickwork.
Preventing future brick cracks in Dallas homes requires being proactive with regular maintenance and periodic brick inspections. Let's look at each of the causes of brick damage and what we can do to increase the resiliency of your home.
Dallas's extreme spectrum of hot to cold temperatures wears quickly on brick durability. Scorching summers with temperatures exceeding 100°F cause rapid moisture evaporation and brick expansion, accelerating mortar deterioration.
Then, in the winter, freezing temperatures lead to freeze-thaw damage, surface cracking, and weakened mortar joints.
Heavy rainfall and humidity fluctuations contribute to internal moisture buildup. Gradually lime is leached from mortar, and the risks of mold and mildew grow. Wind-driven rain is particularly destructive, worsening water penetration issues, while long-term weathering and UV radiation gradually degrade brick surfaces.
Proper drainage, regular mortar inspections and repairs, applying water-repellent sealers, and maintaining adequate ventilation, all help to preserve in your brick home.
Water damage and freezing should be addressed head-on to prevent future brick cracks. Install gutters and downspouts to divert water away from your foundation. Seal any visible cracks promptly to stop water infiltration.
During winter, remove snow from brick surfaces to minimize freezing and thawing. You may also want to consider applying a breathable water repellent to your bricks that allows moisture to escape while keeping water out.
Sealants act as a shield against moisture and weather damage. If you choose a high-quality, breathable sealant specifically designed for brick, you can apply it just once every 3-5 years, and focus on areas prone to water exposure.
It's very important to clean the bricks thoroughly before application to make sure the sealant adheres to your bricks' surface and follow the manufacturer's instructions for best results.
Keep your Dallas brick home strong and looking good with these general maintenance best practices:
Stay on top of these routine tasks and you'll likely extend the life of your brick home and reduce repair costs down the line.
Brick Experts stands out among Dallas's brick repair contractors for our excellent customer experience and our skilled and reliable team.
We've grown by maintaining a stellar reputation over the years for exceptional masonry work and our dedication to customer satisfaction. Our commitment to quality craftsmanship can be seen in the precision and detail of our work.
With over four decades of combined experience, Brick Experts brings unparalleled expertise to every project. Over 70 5-star ratings showcase our consistently top-notch service and quality results.
Our customers leave reviews raving about our attention to detail, helpfulness, and ability to handle complex repairs and to build durable, beautiful new masonry construction. Our decades of experience enable us to tackle any brick repair challenge, from minor cracks to major structural issues -and even delicate historic restorations.
Brick Experts excels in the highly-specialized technique of mortar-matching and brick restoration. Our experts perfectly reproduce the color and texture of your original mortar, and ensure our repairs blend flawlessly with existing brickwork.
And our extensive experience in historic brick restoration makes us the ideal choice for maintaining the charm of older Dallas homes.
Don't let cracked bricks compromise your home's beauty and safety. Reach out to Brick Experts for a free in-person assessment and quote on your brick repair project today.
Cracked bricks in Dallas homes are caused by the extremes of Texas' climate, in one way or another. Constant exposure to sunlight and heat leads to expansion and (later) contraction of bricks, resulting in visible cracks over time. Other factors include soil movement, foundation issues, and freeze-thaw cycles during the winter.
Horizontal cracks are the most serious visible sign of brick damage. They often indicate major structural issues related to soil pressure and foundation problems. These cracks require immediate attention from a professional, and should be considered a masonry emergency.
Vertical cracks are less concerning than horizontal ones but should still be monitored because they typically indicate minor foundation movement. While they may not pose an immediate threat, any cracks can worsen over time and require professional brick repair when they expand or multiply.
Diagonal or stair-step cracks suggest an uneven foundation, caused by shifts and gaps in the soil under your home. This type of cracking is extremely common in Dallas and, while not always severe, should be assessed by a professional to determine if the underlying cause presents reason for concern.
Hairline cracks are quite common in Dallas homes and are usually only superficial. They can result from normal settling, expansion in bricks or clay, and shrinking mortar. While tiny cracks rarely indicate structural risks, they should be monitored regularly and addressed when they increase in size or number.
When cracks are minor, DIY repairs using mortar or epoxy are possible if you know what you're doing. However, for significant cracks or multiple issues, it's a much better idea to contact a professional masonry repair service to make sure the work is completed correctly and any long-term damage is avoided.
Brick cracks can be prevented, to a certain extent, through regular inspection and maintenance. To do so you need to ensure your foundation has proper drainage, seal hairline cracks, and apply water-repellent sealers as needed. Address any water damage immediately, install gutters, and remove snow from brick surfaces in winter.
