Bricks are nothing new, and we face the same problems today as the Romans did when they were first used. Brickwork eventually deteriorates, however good the bricks are. How fast depends on the conditions it’s exposed to and how well it’s maintained. When it does, brick repair in Toronto stops a small problem from becoming a larger one.
Cummins Restorations replaces damaged bricks with matched units, repairs the mortar around them and helps track down the moisture that caused the damage. We’ve been doing it across the GTA since 1992.
Signs you may need brick repair in Toronto
A homeowner can keep an eye on the condition of brick, and Toronto’s freeze-thaw winters make it worth checking. These are the telltale signs that brick repair may be needed:
- Cracked or crumbling mortar joints. One of the most common signs of deteriorating brickwork, since mortar is less resistant to the weather than brick. Joints typically need tuckpointing every 20 years or so to stop moisture reaching the more porous top and bottom faces of the bricks.
- A white substance on the brick. This is salt, and it’s a sure sign that moisture is moving through the wall. It’s left behind when the moisture evaporates.
- Loose or dislodged bricks. A completely loose brick usually means the mortar has deteriorated so far that it can no longer bond.
- Cracks running through bricks. This needs attention urgently. Bricks crack for many reasons, including foundation movement, thermal expansion in direct sunlight, moisture in the wall and mixing different materials in one wall.
- Flaking or crumbling brick faces. This is spalling, explained below.
What is spalling brick, and why does it happen?
Spalling is when the face of a brick flakes, cracks or crumbles away, exposing the softer interior. Once the face is gone the brick cannot be repaired, only replaced. Common causes we see across Toronto properties:
- Water trapped behind the brick face, often because of failed mortar joints or the wrong (too hard) mortar used in an earlier repair
- Freeze-thaw cycling acting on water that has already got into the brick
- Efflorescence building up over time and weakening the brick surface
- Age and material quality, particularly in some mid-century brick that wasn’t fired to modern standards
Spalling is a catch-it-early problem. A handful of damaged bricks is a straightforward repair; letting it spread across a wall turns it into a much larger job.
How we repair brick
- Inspection and assessment. We evaluate the brick, the mortar, where the water is getting in and any structural concerns.
- Material matching. Where bricks need replacing, we source matching or complementary brick. On heritage properties we also identify the right mortar mix.
- Repair work. Depending on the scope: selective brick replacement, repointing, crack repair or broader masonry restoration.
- Clean-up and walkthrough. We clean the site and walk through the finished work with you.
Brick repair in Toronto: before and after
A damaged brick and stone gate pillar taken down, then rebuilt in banded red brick and limestone with a stone cap.
Porch pillars taken down to the base while the roof was held on temporary posts, then rebuilt in red brick.
See more of our work in the project gallery.
What affects the cost of brick repair in Toronto?
We price brick repair after an inspection, because no two walls are the same. The main factors are:
- How many bricks are damaged, and whether the damage is spreading
- Whether matching brick is available for your wall
- Height and access to the damaged area
- The underlying cause, such as moisture or movement, which has to be dealt with as well
- The mortar work needed around the repair
You’ll have the scope, price and start date in writing before any work begins, with no obligation.
Brick Repair in Toronto: frequently asked questions
Can spalled brick be repaired?
No. Once the face of a brick has flaked away, the brick needs to be replaced. The earlier it’s caught, the fewer bricks are involved.
Why are my bricks cracking?
Common causes are foundation movement, expansion and contraction from sun and temperature, moisture that has got into the wall, and different materials being combined in one wall.
What is the white powder on my brick?
It’s efflorescence: salt carried to the surface by moisture moving through the wall. It’s a sign of water getting in, so the source of the moisture needs to be found.
Can you match my existing brick?
Where bricks need replacing, we source matching or complementary brick. On older homes we also look at the mortar, so the repair suits the original wall.
Does brick repair include tuckpointing?
Often both are needed. Replacing bricks is one job; renewing worn mortar around them is another. See our tuckpointing page.
How much does brick repair cost in Toronto?
It depends on how many bricks are damaged, access and the cause of the damage. After a free inspection we give you a written price.
Related masonry services in Toronto
- Tuckpointing in Toronto
- Chimney repair in Toronto
- Masonry repair and heritage restoration
- Parging in Toronto
- Masonry contractor in Scarborough
Read next: 6 signs freeze-thaw damage is destroying your brick.
Get a free brick repair estimate in Toronto
Call Cummins Restorations for brick repair in Toronto today. Call (416) 992-7965 or send us the details through our contact page. Cummins Restorations Inc. is fully licensed and insured, and serves Toronto and the GTA from 25 Dunelm Street.