12/04/2023
When you own or are buying a brick home it is still important to keep up with the exterior maintenance. If you don’t keep up with sealing the exterior trims and tuck pointing the mortar through out the years it can truly wreak havoc on a wall due to moisture intrusion and temperature differentials. I was asked if I was going to get a ladder up there and check it out more closely…… the answer in this case was “no, there are already loose brick visible, and I am sure we will see every thing needed to determine the full condition from the attic.”
Had we put a ladder against this wall there is a good chance that a large section of brick work would have fallen out, this may have also caused the over head electrical mast to be displaced. I don’t know about y’all; but, I like my life and want to be here to perform many more inspections.
In this case day light could be seen through multiple mortar joints with visible moisture damage to the wall sub materials. Also there was a section of brick work that was freely movable by hand.
Tuck pointing is a necessity from time to time, especially at rowlocks for gables, doors, windows, and any porch structure. If you don’t know a good masonry contractor and you own a home with a brick or stone exterior siding than it is time to get to know one. If you are local to us, I have about five of them in my vendors list that I will gladly share.
Also a good practice is to seal mortar joints every few years, there are exterior cleaning and pressure washing companies that offer this type of service with commercial grade sealants.
If you need a great home inspection please feel free to reach out to us. We look forward to being of service!
