Discover Causes of Cracked Brick Walls – Masonry Repair OKC

Our dramatic temperature swings are perhaps the biggest threat to your mortar joints. This process is a classic cause of deterioration that frequently leads to the need for tuckpointing okc.

• How it Works: Masonry materials, especially mortar, are naturally porous. They absorb moisture from rain and humidity. When the temperature drops below freezing, this absorbed water turns to ice. Ice expands by about 9%, creating immense pressure inside the mortar joint. When the ice melts, it leaves behind a slightly larger void. Over dozens of cycles each winter, this pressure causes the mortar to crumble, crack, and eventually break apart—a process sometimes referred to as spalling brick.
• The Result: You see crumbling, sandy-looking mortar joints and potentially bricks that appear to be flaking or popping off the wall. This is a clear indicator that repointing, or tuckpointing, is necessary to prevent further water ingress. Ignoring this damage is risky, as compromised mortar allows more water to seep deeper into the wall structure, accelerating decay.

The soil beneath your home in Central Oklahoma is often high in expansive clay. This soil acts like a sponge, swelling dramatically when wet (during heavy rains) and shrinking significantly when dry (during summer droughts).

• How it Works: As the soil directly beneath your foundation moves, it causes the foundation to shift, settle, or heave unevenly—a phenomenon called “differential settlement.” Because your masonry walls are rigid, they cannot accommodate this movement without cracking.
• The Result: This is the cause that generates the most anxiety. It often results in distinct, angled stair-step cracks in the mortar joints or long, vertical cracks in the brick itself. These are the cracks that often make homeowners ask, how to tell if brick cracks are foundation related okc. When these cracks are wide, they are a major structural concern, requiring a specialized approach that addresses the soil and foundation first, and the masonry second.

Excessive moisture is the number one culprit in all masonry damage. Water that is not properly diverted away from your home can saturate the foundation area, contributing to the settlement issues mentioned above, and also cause direct damage.

• How it Works: Clogged, broken, or improperly placed gutters cause waterfalls that dump massive amounts of water directly at the base of your walls. This water saturates the brick and mortar, which speeds up the freeze-thaw decay and washes out the surrounding soil. Furthermore, prolonged moisture exposure leads to mold, mildew, and efflorescence (a white, powdery deposit), which further degrades the material.
• The Result: Rapid deterioration of mortar near the ground level, or significant efflorescence and discoloration on the lower courses of brick. This damage may require a combination of mortar repair okc and, more importantly, a professional drainage solution to fix the root cause.

• How it Works: Tree roots, in their relentless search for water, can extend great distances and exert enormous force against underground structures, including foundations and basement walls. Additionally, plants and ivy growing directly on brickwork retain moisture against the surface, accelerating decay and providing a pathway for water deep into the structure.
• The Result: Cracks emanating from the base of the wall, or signs of moisture and organic growth on the brick surface. A good masonry contractor norman ok (or OKC area) will always ask about nearby trees and shrubs during the initial assessment.