In parts of the country where the temperature drops below freezing, homeowners need to be aware of the potential damage that can occur to masonry and other parts of their home. A freeze-thaw cycle occurs any time that air temperatures drop low enough to freeze water — which happens at 32 degrees Fahrenheit — and then increases it enough during the daytime for the water to thaw.
These freeze-thaw cycles can have significant implications for the masonry industry, especially in Michigan’s climate, where the greatest number of freeze-thaw cycles in one year was in 1990 when there were 22.
While there are many ways that freeze-thaw cycles are defined, it’s generally understood to be the total number of times the temperature drops below freezing in a calendar year, divided by two.
The reason why this can be so damaging to masonry structures is because water contracts and expands when it freezes and thaws. This can cause expansion in masonry and other structures and can lead to significant other damage.
It’s essential for all homeowners in Michigan to understand freeze-thaw cycles so they can properly maintain and repair masonry structures.
Preventative Maintenance for Masonry
In Michigan, the freeze-thaw cycle is inevitable. Winter brings with it freezing temperatures every year, which puts masonry structures at risk.
Luckily, there is preventative maintenance that homeowners can do to reduce the impact of the freeze-thaw cycle.
First, keeping structures clean will help to ensure that there isn’t extra moisture, grit and grime piling up on the masonry. It will also make identifying potential issues during regular inspections easier as well.
For some types of masonry, a waterproof sealant can be applied to protect against water soaking into the material and then freezing when it turns cold.
It’s also important to ensure that there is proper grading and drainage installed around masonry structures so that water doesn’t accumulate. This is just one reason why it’s so important to work with a masonry contractor who is experienced and uses high-quality materials.
If you’re ever uncertain about what you should be looking for during inspections or what to do, you can schedule regular maintenance with a professional to help prevent costly repairs.
Repairing Freeze Thaw Damage
As with most problems, the quicker you can address damage from a freeze-thaw cycle, the more likely you’ll be able to prevent a potentially catastrophic situation. This is why regular inspections are so important.
By consistently looking for damage, you can address it right away before it becomes a major problem. Repairing masonry structures that are damaged, though, often requires specialized knowledge and skills — tasks that are best left to a professional mason.
A local trusted mason such as the pros at All Brick will be able to fully assess the situation and determine whether entire sections of the masonry need to be replaced to uphold the structural integrity, or whether more minor repairs can be done.
Again, when you hire a reputable and experienced mason, you can rest easy knowing that the repairs will be done efficiently and the right way.
Choosing the Right Materials for Michigan’s Climate
One often overlooked aspect of preventative maintenance is choosing materials that are most suitable for Michigan’s climate. If you choose materials that work best in Michigan, you can actually prevent damage from a freeze-thaw cycle before it ever happens.
For instance, materials such as concrete, stone and brick can all withstand the freeze-thaw cycle. When selecting materials, you should weigh factors such as maintenance requirements, sustainability and durability.
When you work with a skilled professional mason, you can get first-hand knowledge and suggestions about which materials might work best for what you want in terms of look, cost, function and durability.
Beyond just selecting the right materials, though, it’s essential that masonry structures are installed properly. This, combined with regular maintenance, can help to prevent damage from freeze-thaw cycles.
DIY vs. Professional Masonry Maintenance
There are some masonry maintenance tasks that can be done on your own. For instance, it’s relatively easy for most homeowners to keep their masonry structures clean and free of dirt and debris.
However, there are other ongoing maintenance tasks that are best left to the professionals who have the specialized skills and knowledge to do it right. If you try to maintain or repair a masonry structure and don’t have the proper experience and training, you can actually do more damage than you fix and/or prevent, which could lead to costly repairs.
Professional masons have the training, equipment and experience that are necessary to handle even the most complex and complicated masonry projects. They’ll always know exactly what needs to be done, how it needs to be done and when it needs to be done.
So, while DIY masonry projects might sound cost-effective, they can often turn into much larger reclamation projects that cost more than they should have to begin with.
Seasonal Maintenance Tips
Regular maintenance helps to prevent damage from happening, which in turn extends the lifespan of masonry structures. The freeze-thaw cycle occurs from late fall through early spring in Michigan, but there are ongoing maintenance tasks that you should do in every season.
In spring, make sure you inspect all of your masonry structures for damage that may have occurred during freeze-thaw cycles. If you find any, address them promptly to prevent further damage.
In summer, regularly clean your masonry surfaces so water, debris and dirt don’t accumulate, and make sure to inspect the structures often for signs of damage.
Fall is the time when you want to start preparing your masonry structures for the harsh winter ahead. Check to ensure you have proper grading and drainage installed around the structure, and apply a waterproof sealant if it’s time to do so.
Finally, in winter you want to consistently monitor your structure for any damage that occurs as the temperature drops below freezing. Again, if you notice any, the sooner you can address it, the better the outcome will be.
Masonry Maintenance Best Practices
It can be repeated enough that conducting regular inspections and maintenance on your masonry structures will help to prevent damage and extend the lifespan of your masonry structures.
Not only is it important to choose quality materials but also that you hire a mason who has excellent craftsmanship in the structure itself as well as the grading and drainage around the structure.
Once your structure is constructed, talk with your mason to figure out whether the materials need a waterproof sealant applied to them, and when you should do that.
Prevent Masonry Damage that Comes with the Freeze-Thaw Cycle
Michigan has a harsh winter climate, which results in a lot of freeze-thaw cycles every year. This is why property inspections, maintenance and repairs are necessary to prevent small issues from becoming major problems.
Understanding how the freeze-thaw cycle works, and what type of damage it can cause, will help homeowners know how they can extend the lifespan of their masonry structures through property maintenance.
While some minor maintenance projects can be done on your own, you should always trust an experienced professional mason to handle any bigger jobs. They will know what needs to be done, and how to do it properly, to ensure the integrity of your structure.If you need help with your masonry structures in Michigan, contact the professionals at All Brick today.