With a professional, your repairs will be rock-solid
Brick veneer gives you the classic look of a solid brick home without the expensive cost. And like solid brick, brick veneer is relatively low-maintenance. But should you encounter a problem—cracked or spalling bricks, for example, or deteriorated mortar joints—you’ll want to hire a qualified siding repair contractor to handle the repairs. Here’s a closer look at who to call to repair brick to keep your home looking and functioning like new.
An experienced local siding repair contractor understands the differences between brick veneer vs. solid brick and has the expertise and specialized tools to handle any type of repair, from reattaching loose bricks to replacing damaged flashing. They’re also familiar with local building codes and regulations and can handle any necessary permits and paperwork to get the job done.
Working with brick veneer is no easy task, even for an experienced homeowner. A siding repair contractor often has years of professional experience and expertise to back up their work. Their skills include specialized knowledge in brickwork and siding systems and practiced techniques so your repair lasts longer and performs better than if you did it yourself. Brick veneer is vulnerable to cracking and moisture. And if the repairs aren’t handled carefully and correctly, it can eventually lead to water damage, mold, and—if your veneer was installed over wood—rot.
Homeowners weigh several factors before deciding whether they're equipped to handle a DIY project. You may consider cost, time, difficulty, and most importantly, safety. Handling repairs on brick veneer comes with risks like working with heights and potential structural issues. Siding repair contractors can handle risk management, but when you hire them, choose one that has liability insurance—just in case.
The equipment needed to repair brick veneer goes beyond what most homeowners have in their tool kit. You won’t get far with your hammer, and your screwdriver, pliers, and the like have no use here. In addition to their experience and expertise, siding repair contractors regularly bring specialized, high-quality materials—like angle irons and concave jointers—to each of their projects. And if you have no idea where your original brick siding came from, they have the means to source the right type of siding that best matches your existing exterior.
Most homeowners can manage the minor repairs and maintenance needed for brick veneer, but more extensive problems are best left to the professionals. As long as you have the right tools and know-how, you can easily tackle small surface repairs, slightly loose bricks, and routine cleaning and sealing. But if your small cracks turn into large cracks or your bricks are severely damaged, call in reinforcements. Your brick veneer may have structural concerns and leaks that need immediate attention and specialized knowledge.
A siding repair contractor isn’t your only option for repairing brick veneer. Masonry contractors are excellent alternatives who can handle both brick veneer and solid brick.
Masonry is the craft of using brick or stone to build a structure. You can take this one step further with a veneer application where these same materials are attached to the face of a home or building. Due to the scope of their work, you could argue that a masonry contractor is even better suited for handling your brick veneer repairs. Their title alone helps guarantee their knowledge and specialized techniques for evaluating, diagnosing, and repairing issues with brick. But even with their know-how, you should confirm that their work goes beyond working with solid brick and includes brick veneer.
Similarly, you should confirm that your siding repair contractor specializes in brick veneer. There are dozens of house siding options, including vinyl, stucco, and wood. And you don’t want to hire a siding contractor who’s an expert in vinyl and a rookie in brick.
The process of repairing brick veneer isn’t set in stone (pun intended). There isn’t one straightforward way to address brick veneer repairs. Instead, siding repair contractors need to identify the issue—if it’s not obvious—and tackle it individually.
Fixing brick veneer involves tasks that range from basic maintenance to complex structural fixes. Based on the most common repair problems for brick veneer, a siding repair contractor may need to:
Apply adhesive or mortar to reattach loose bricks
Remove and replace damaged, cracked, or spalling bricks
Fill and seal cracks in individual bricks
Repair or replace deteriorated mortar joints
Remove and replace deteriorated or missing mortar in mortar joints
Repair or replace damaged flashing
Reinforce structural support
Reattach brick veneer in areas where it separated from the wall
Apply sealant
Regardless of the steps needed to repair your brick veneer, one thing is certain: Entrusting the job to a siding repair contractor helps guarantee a safe and efficient fix.
