Why Mortar Deteriorates?
Masonry with bricks is one of the most enduring building materials available since it is resistant to the effects of the weather. Nevertheless, you are responsible for its upkeep and maintenance. However, after twenty to thirty years, the mortar joints will begin to show indications of wear and tear. A sturdy brick wall, on the other hand, can last for a century without requiring any repairs. Repairs have to be made as soon as possible if mortar joints are falling apart or showing other signs of deterioration.
What exactly is mortar?
Sand, cement, and water combine through a chemical process to produce the hard substance that is used to manufacture mortar. The “glue” that binds masonry components such as brick, stone, and terracotta together to form an assembly that is water-repellent is called mortar. Masonry components include brick, stone, and terracotta. When putting together brickwork, the mortar is troweled in after it has been placed to the entire depth. Even while mortar lasts for a long time, it does wear away over the years, thus extra care is required to ensure that the wall remains watertight.
Why does mortar become brittle over time?
The exterior face of the mortar can be worn away by weathering processes including freeze-thaw cycles. As a direct consequence of this, the mortar is susceptible to cracking when subjected to the dissimilar movements that come from seismic activity and building settling.
When roofs are not properly maintained, water can leak into the wall system, which can lead to the formation of efflorescence or salt deposits on the wall’s surface. This same dampness can allow dirt to collect and biological growth to begin, which speeds up the mortar’s deteriorating process. Last but not least, damage to the substrate masonry units may have been caused by a prior subpar repointing job that used an inadequate amount of mortar or did not properly prepare the joints.
Only a few of the components need to have their points clarified. This is excellent news because the original mortar joints are superior to repointed joints in every way. However, the new mortar needs to be a match for the joints that are already there. A mismatched appearance is certain if you continue.
There is more to selecting the proper mortar than simply ensuring that the color is accurate. If the new mortar is overly robust, it might compromise the structural integrity of the masonry structure and lead to more damage. This may sound counterintuitive, but it’s possible that this outcome is very possible. Because of this, the mortar that is used for the repair should have the same level of strength as the mortar that was used initially, or perhaps slightly less strength.
Even the most carefully built brick will eventually need to be repaired because of the wear and strain caused by the elements and the environment. If the brickwork on your building has to be repaired, you have probably come across the words “repointing” and “tuckpointing.” In the masonry business, the terms tuckpointing and repointing are commonly used interchangeably despite the fact that they are not the same thing. This can give some people cause for concern. It is essential to differentiate between the words and understand what their connotations are for industry professionals and the customers they serve.
There are several subtle differences between repointing and tuckpointing, despite the fact that both involve putting new mortar joints in a brick construction. Repointing and tuckpointing are also known as pointing. If you find that your chimney or wall has some mortar damage and needs repair, you will need to determine if tuckpointing or repointing work is necessary to fix the problem. Tuckpointing is a process in which the mortar is replaced with new mortar. Even better, get the opinion of a professional before you make any decisions on how to proceed. What is the difference between repointing a building and tuckpointing it?
In support of knowing these essential information, it is for the best that you also have a company you can count on to help you with Chimney Cleaning Danville and repairing like Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning.