United Structural Systems (USS)
Brick & Lintel Repair
If you notice cracking or other brick issues, contact USS for a free estimate of your home’s foundation.
Can Cracked Brick Be Repaired?
Cracking brick can be repaired. However, the most important part is to make sure you address the underlying cause of your damaged brick before you attempt any cosmetic repairs to the brick itself.
A brick veneer that’s crumbling or cracking is likely to be affected by water infiltration, which is a signal of foundation issues that will need to be repaired first. Once the underlying problem has been fixed, our Nashville brick repair experts can ensure your facade is good as new again. We will go further into our method for Nashville brick wall repair and mortar restoration below.
Tuckpointing
Once the structural integrity of a home has been restored through proper foundation repair, it’s important to replace any damaged mortar using a technique called “tuckpointing” or “repointing.” Just patching over splitting walls or cracked bricks will leave a home vulnerable to water penetration, meaning anything that is done will simply be a cosmetic patch that will fail over time.
Tuckpointing is a technique used by masons to fill gaps between mortar and brick by chiseling out the existing, damaged mortar and adding new cement. The new material is color-coordinated to match the existing mortar so that your repair looks seamless and natural. In worst-case scenarios, our Nashville tuckpointing experts will remove damaged or cracked bricks and replace them with new, matching bricks. This not only restores the look of a foundation or façade, but it also protects a home from the elements.
At USS, tuckpointing is included with foundation repair and not a stand-alone service. We don’t want to waste our customer’s money with a service that will fail over time, ignoring the root cause of any brick cracks. If you notice cracking or other brick issues, contact USS for a free estimate of your home’s foundation.
Garage Lintel Repair
The lintel above a garage door is usually the longest in a house.
Typically made out of metal and covered by exterior bricks, some span as many as 18 feet across. Long lintels like this are particularly vulnerable to failure over time because of the great deal of weight they have to distribute above them.
Early signs of garage lintel failure include cracked bricks or cracked exterior walls above the garage opening. As the damage progresses, the lintel will start to visibly sag.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brick & Lintel Repair
The most common reasons for lintel failure involve some kind of fault, such as corrosion of the steel. When coupled with the weight they have to support, it can lead to sagging over time. The cracked bricks or exterior walls caused by the shifting of the lintel will only worsen the problem as it will be exposed more to the elements.
We are able to supplement support of the lintel by securing it to the existing wood header with lag bolts. This helps transfer the load of the brick veneer to the wood header. After installing support props we remove the bricks and excess mortar around the lintel and then repair it.
Not repairing damaged bricks can lead to serious problems over time. Cracked or crumbling bricks can weaken the structure, making it unsafe and less stable. Water can seep into the cracks, causing further damage like mold, rot, or even freezing and expanding in cold weather, which makes the damage worse. Neglected bricks can also hurt the appearance and value of your property. Fixing cracked brick issues early helps avoid bigger, costlier problems later.
Professional brick repair is important because it ensures your bricks are fixed correctly and safely. Experts have the right tools and skills to restore the strength and look of your brickwork without causing more damage. They can also spot hidden issues, like water damage or structural problems, and fix them before they get worse. Proper repair helps protect your property, improves its appearance, and extends the life of your bricks, saving you money in the long run.
In addition to offering financing plans and accepting all major credit cards (as well as personal checks), we do not typically ask for payment until the foundation repair job is done right and you are fully satisfied.
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