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The Effects of Snow And Ice on Masonry: what to expect

Brick Masonry New England Restoration Snow and Ice Damage

Harsh winter conditions often destroy unprotected masonry. If the weather destabilizes your walls, it can harm your home. These simple steps done by professionals like New England Masonry and Restoration can help reduce headaches and costly masonry repair jobs.

Apply a sealer to prevent the consequences of the thawing and freezing cycle

Masonry consists of porous materials; bricks and mortar absorb moisture like sponges, expanding and contracting as they freeze and thaw. This ongoing process contributes to destabilization, resulting in cracking, loosening of bricks, or even complete collapse. These problems can be avoided by applying a special masonry sealer to penetrate the pores and prevent the consequences of the thawing and freezing cycle.

Protect your masonry with polythene or hessian

Additionally, if temperatures are expected to reach a superficial level, you can use insulation boards and heated enclosures.

Rendering, plastering, and screeds

If you want to avoid experiencing problems, these finishes must be applied correctly in the first place on masonry construction. No screeding or plastering should occur if the building is frosty and the outdoor temperatures are below 2 degrees Celsius. If internal heating is used to warm the building and make it suitable for the work, you must ensure that it does not produce excessive vapor.