Key takeaways
- Water that freezes inside masonry pushes the surface apart.
- Caps, crowns and flashing keep water out of the top of walls and chimneys.
- Clean gutters and downspouts keep water off walls.
- Fix small cracks and open joints in fall, not spring.
In Middle Tennessee the ground and the air swing above and below freezing many times each winter. That cycle is the hardest test masonry faces.
Why it matters
Water soaks into brick and stone, freezes, expands and pushes the surface off in flakes, called spalling.
A fall checklist
- Clean gutters and make sure downspouts carry water away
- Look at chimney crowns, caps and flashing
- Check wall tops and caps for cracks
- Repoint open joints and fill small cracks
- Keep soil and mulch off the lower courses
Patios and steps
Use de-icers that are safe for masonry, and avoid harsh rock salt on new surfaces in their first winter.
Related services
Questions about your own project? Call or text 615-431-3789, or use the quote form below.