Brick Repair & Restoration Services

Why Brick Repair Matters for Your Ann Arbor Home

Your brick walls, chimney, or foundation might look solid from a distance, but small cracks and chips can quickly turn into big problems. In Ann Arbor, our freeze-thaw cycles put extra stress on masonry. Water seeps into tiny cracks, freezes, expands, and causes more damage every winter. What starts as a hairline crack in spring can become a crumbling section by fall.

Professional masonry contractors in Ann Arbor know how to spot damage early. We look for signs like spalling (when brick faces flake off), mortar that crumbles when you touch it, and vertical cracks that might signal foundation issues. Catching these problems early saves you money and protects your home from water damage, mold, and structural failures.

Brick repair is not just about looks. Sure, fresh brickwork boosts your curb appeal and property value. But the real benefit is stopping water intrusion before it damages your walls, insulation, and interior spaces. When you fix damaged bricks promptly, you avoid expensive repairs down the road.

Common Brick Problems We Fix

Every brick structure faces its own challenges. Here are the most common issues we handle for Ann Arbor homeowners:

• Spalling and Flaking: When moisture gets trapped inside bricks, it expands during freezes and causes the brick face to pop off in layers. This leaves your wall exposed and weak.
• Cracked Bricks: Stress from settling foundations, improper installation, or impact damage creates cracks that let water in. We remove damaged bricks and replace them with matching units.
• Efflorescence: Those white, powdery stains on your bricks mean water is moving through your masonry. We identify the moisture source, fix it, and clean your bricks.
• Deteriorating Mortar: Old mortar breaks down faster than the bricks themselves. When mortar crumbles or pulls away from bricks, it creates gaps where water enters. Our tuckpointing services restore mortar joints to their original strength.
• Stair-Step Cracks: These diagonal cracks often signal foundation movement or water pressure. We assess whether you need simple repairs or more extensive foundation work.

We do not just patch over problems. We dig deeper to find out why your bricks failed in the first place. Maybe your gutters are dumping water against your foundation. Maybe the original builder used the wrong mortar mix. We fix the root cause so repairs last for decades.

Our Brick Restoration Process

Step One: Inspection and Assessment

We start with a thorough inspection of your brick structure. We check every wall, corner, and joint to map out damage. We take photos, measurements, and notes about mortar condition, brick type, and moisture patterns. This tells us exactly what materials and methods we need.

Step Two: Matching Materials

Ann Arbor has beautiful historic brick buildings that deserve careful restoration. We source bricks that match your existing masonry in size, color, and texture. For older homes, we sometimes need reclaimed bricks from the same era. We also mix custom mortar to match the original color and strength. Using the right materials means repairs blend in seamlessly.

Step Three: Careful Removal and Replacement

We carefully remove damaged bricks without harming surrounding masonry. Then we clean out old mortar, prep the opening, and install new bricks with proper bonding techniques. Every joint gets tooled to match your existing brickwork pattern. We also handle any necessary chimney repairs if your brick chimney shows damage.

Step Four: Cleaning and Sealing

After repairs cure, we clean your brickwork to remove stains, efflorescence, and construction debris. If needed, we apply breathable sealers that protect against moisture while letting your walls breathe. This final step ensures your restored brickwork looks great and lasts for years.

Frequently Asked Questions