Allied Restoration & Caulking
Problem:
{Masonry Repair}
Solution:
Steel and masonry expand and contract at different rates. When the sun comes around the corner on a cold day, expansion of the steel from the warmth of the sun happens at a much higher rate than the expansion of the brick. In turn, even if the steel supports were factory primed, in time, it sands the protective rust coating away and loosens the masonry of the bricks and joints.
Steel causes “jacking” in a building. Steel has the potential to swell to ten times its size. Thus, the swelling inside a brick wall causes forced expansion cracks, breakdown of mortar joints, and overall failure of the wall affected.
*Whenever possible we like to replace steel support beams or lintels with pre-manufactured or poured-in-place concrete beams. This allows for similar freeze/thaw reaction and a common rate of seasoning. Occasionally, this solution is not feasible. In these instances the failing steel can be replaced with new steel that is galvanized and more resistant to rust than the previously used material.
*The placing of a neopreem flashing between the masonry surfaces and the supports creates a buffer between the two that reduces the friction and creates a bond breaker.
Diagnosis! Diagnosing the problem is key to providing the right solution!
