There’s nothing quite like a brick porch. It adds a beautiful touch to the front or back of your home, as well as a functional space that you can enjoy any time the weather is nice.
At the same time, brick porches are prone to many issues. This includes, damage to the mortar joints, crumbling masonry and brick spalling, which happens when the brick surface breaks down that then leads to the bricks peeling, chipping, crumbling and/or cracking.
If you want to prevent these issues from happening, it’s important to perform regular inspections and maintenance so that you can identify the issues before they become major problems.
To do this, though, you must understand what the most common problems are that can affect your brick porch. We discuss this in more detail below.
Causes of Brick Porch Issues
The most common cause of issues for brick porches is water damage. Water can be deadly to any structure, but especially to brick porches, as it can cause mortar joint damage and brick spalling.
In colder climates such as Michigan, the freeze-thaw cycles can cause water that has seeped into the brick and water to expand and then contract, which can lead to further deterioration and damage.
Standing water and moisture needs to be removed from the porch and around the base of the foundation as well so that it can’t seep into the bricks. In addition, poor drainage around the porch as well as issues with your gutters can contribute to issues with your brick porch.
That’s why it’s essential that your brick porch is graded properly so that water runs off it. Your gutters also need to be cleaned of any dirt and debris so that the water can be properly directed away from the structure, instead of pouring over top of the gutters and onto your porch.
Identifying Problems with Your Brick Porch
So, how can you identify problems with your brick porch? The easiest way to do so is to conduct regular inspections of your porch. This should be done on an annual basis or at least twice a year, before and after winter.
When doing these inspections, check for signs of any brick spalling. This would look like bricks flaking away or crumbling.
You also want to inspect the mortar joints for damage. What you’re looking for here are any cracks in the mortar joints or gaps that might appear.
Inspect all of the surrounding bricks for signs of damage or deterioration, as well as water damage, which could come in the form of staining on the brick and mortar.
Even minor occurrences of this damage need to be addressed immediately so that further damage doesn’t happen.
Maintaining Your Brick Porch
Even if your inspections come back perfect, there are regular maintenance steps you should take to maintain your brick porch.
First, keep the brick and mortar clean to prevent dirt and debris from building up. You can do this with a power washer, but make sure not to have the pressure too hard — or keep the nozzle on one spot too long — otherwise you could do damage to the bricks and/or mortar.
You can also use a light detergent or cleaner to remove any grease or other spots that may have accumulated on the bricks.
As mentioned before, keep your gutters and downspouts clean and clear. The gutter system is designed to collect water and direct it away from your home.
When it is clogged with dirt, leaves and other debris, the water has nowhere to go, and tends to spill over the top. This is one way that your brick porch can suffer water damage.
Also make sure to trim trees and shrubs that are in the vicinity of your brick porch so that the branches don’t rub up against the brick and mortar or fall onto it and do major damage.
Addressing Foundation Issues
Problems with the foundation can cause major damage to brick porches. If the foundation isn’t even or isn’t installed properly, your brick porch could eventually settle unevenly, which can lead to bricks cracking, crumbling and falling away.
There are many different reasons you might be experiencing foundation issues, including problems with drainage, materials used or the soil beneath the structure.
By addressing any foundation issues as promptly as possible, you can help prevent further damage to the brick porch.
Foundation issues can be challenging for the typical homeowner to identify and repair. That’s why you should consider hiring a professional such as All Brick to inspect and repair your brick porch foundation if necessary.
Working with a Masonry Professional
Most homeowners can feel comfortable inspecting their brick porch to look for signs of damage. Most will also be able to easily handle regular cleaning of the porch to ensure there is no dirt, debris and/or water building.
Actually addressing any issues that are found may not be for everyone, though. If you’re not comfortable with DIY repairs, are not interested in doing them or just want to make sure that they’re done correctly, consider hiring a professional mason.
What you’re looking for is a mason that has extensive experience in brick porch repair and maintenance. Check the company’s credentials to see if they’re licensed and certified according to your state’s requirements.
Look at the company’s online reviews and ask for referrals. And get multiple quotes so you can feel comfortable that you’re picking the right company for the job.
Preventing Damage to Your Brick Wall
The walls of your brick porch are essential for upholding the integrity of the structure itself. That’s why it needs to be part of your regular inspections, as you look for all the signs of deterioration or damage.
In addition to keeping it clean and looking for the same signs as above, make sure to keep the area around the wall clean of any vegetation and/or debris. This will help prevent anything from rubbing up against the bricks and mortar and/or growing on it.
If you need to replace or repair any of the bricks, consider using salvaged bricks. Doing so can help you get a uniform look to your brick porch, as these bricks can most closely match the original brickwork.
Hire an Expert Mason for Your Brick Porch Repairs
There are many common issues that brick porches are susceptible to, but conducting regular inspections and maintenance can help prevent these smaller issues from becoming big problems.
Simply keeping your porch clean and clear of any debris is a great first start. Don’t forget to keep your gutters clean, cut back any tree limbs or vegetation around the porch, and look for the common signs of brick damage.
Following these tips can help extend the life of your brick porch while also preventing costly repairs.
If you want to make sure that your brick porch repairs are done correctly, consider hiring a masonry professional with years of experience in the field.At All Brick, we have been mastering the art of masonry for more than 10 years. For more information, or to get a free estimate, contact us today.
