TORONTO’S brick buildings
Toronto is a city predominantly constructed with brick, and brick restoration is therefore a common practice. Walking through Toronto reveals a variety of brick buildings, each narrating a part of the city’s architectural history. Red-brick structures from the early days signify a shift towards sturdiness in York, while Victorian-era brickwork showcases intricate designs. The industrial surge has left behind warehouses and factories that blend functionality with style. Post-war suburbs feature charming brick bungalows, and the latter part of the 20th century introduced a blend of tradition and modernity. Today, amid the city’s hustle, brick buildings remain resilient, particularly in revamped areas like Cabbagetown and the Annex. This underscores Toronto’s commitment to preserving its diverse architectural story, where it’s not just about buildings but the red bricks that narrate the city’s unique journey on each street.
Why brick restoration is needed in Toronto
In Toronto, moisture poses a threat to bricks through a combination of freeze-thaw cycles and salt damage. In winter, water permeates the porous structure of bricks. Subsequent freezing and expansion during temperature drops exert pressure on the brick and mortar pores, leading to a cyclic process of freezing and thawing. This process can result in spalling of both mortar and brick, potentially causing gradual structural damage.
Moreover, commonly used road salts during winter exacerbate deterioration. These salts, containing chlorides, penetrate the brick and mortar. As water evaporates, salt residue is left behind, initiating salt crystallization in the masonry pores. The growth of these salt crystals adds pressure to the brick, accelerating the deterioration process until pores crack, and spalling becomes evident. Additionally, faulty gutters and downspouts can introduce significant moisture onto brick walls, exposing them to salt crystallization and freeze-thaw cycles.
The freeze-thaw cycles and salt damage resulting from water infiltration can compromise the integrity of bricks in Toronto. To mitigate potential structural issues, it is essential to undertake proper maintenance and restoration efforts.
Brick Restoration in Toronto
Restoring brick in Toronto differs significantly from the approach taken in less extreme environments such as in the UK. Some masonry contractors in Toronto have attempted patching compounds and mortars in the past, but such methods often fall short in the harsh Toronto environment. We’ve encountered premature failures of these patches, prompting the need for a proper brickwork restoration. The effective way to address deteriorating bricks is to remove and replace them with a healthy, matching brick, ensuring a long-lasting result. We guarantee that brickwork repaired in this manner will withstand the test of time, extending beyond our lifetime.
Before Commencing Brick Restoration
Before initiating brick restoration on your home, it’s crucial to assess the root cause of the deterioration. If a faulty gutter or downspout is identified, addressing it beforehand ensures the repair’s longevity. Other common issues include improper flashing, sills, and capstones lacking a drip edge or malfunctioning. Ground slope towards the building can also contribute to the problem. I recommend taking a moment during rain to inspect how your house sheds water, as moisture is the primary driver of deterioration. Establishing a plan to minimize moisture exposure to your masonry is a prudent step for maintenance.
Brick Restoration process
Identifying brick to be restored
Identifying bricks for restoration is the initial step in the brick restoration process. While seemingly straightforward, this task can be deceptive, given a wall with multiple areas of deterioration. Ensuring all bricks in the process of deterioration are replaced proves beneficial to the client. Although some bricks may appear healthy, tapping them may reveal that the face is on the verge of popping off due to salt attack. Replacing all deteriorated bricks not only saves the client money in future repairs but is particularly cost-effective when scaffolding is involved.
Removing brick during restoration
Our approach to brick restoration is tailored to the age of the building and its original construction methods. For older buildings constructed with lime mortar, we employ a reciprocating saw to carefully cut out mortar joints, freeing the brick. This method is clean and non-destructive. In contrast, for more modern buildings with portland cement-based mortars, a breaker hammer may be necessary. Using this tool, we focus on the deteriorated bricks, carefully chipping them out of the wall to avoid damaging healthy bricks. Replacing individual bricks in modern brick walls can be intricate and time-consuming due to the hard nature of modern mortars and bricks.
Restoring brickwork
After removing the brick, the next step involves preparing mortar and initiating the brick replacement process. Our aim is always to closely match the original brick and mortar when restoring brickwork. If the wall originally had lime mortar, we use the same for restoration, ensuring color consistency with a blend of natural earth pigments. For brick selection, we opt for either new matching bricks or reclaimed bricks if available. In Toronto, the prevalent brick size is referred to as Ontario size brick, measuring 2.5″ x 4″ x 8.5″. However, on older Victorian brickwork, variations by 1/4″ in size may be observed. When inserting the brick, we ensure it is flush with the surrounding brick, and the mortar joint is tooled to match the existing mortar joints.
Choosing the right masonry company for brick restoration
When seeking a masonry company for brick restoration in Toronto, several critical considerations contribute to a successful and dependable outcome. Expertise in handling older structures becomes paramount, given Toronto’s rich architectural history, demanding an intricate understanding of diverse construction styles. It is imperative to choose a company with a proven track record specifically in brick restoration, particularly emphasizing projects related to historical homes or buildings. A competent masonry team should possess a discerning eye for analyzing existing mortar and selecting suitable materials, with a focus on preserving the authenticity of the original structure. Additionally, inquire about their proficiency in both traditional restoration techniques and modern methods to seamlessly integrate repairs while upholding the unique aesthetic appeal. It is advisable to thoroughly check for certifications, customer reviews, and referrals, ensuring the selected company maintains a solid reputation for delivering quality work and achieving client satisfaction. Ultimately, a dependable masonry company for brick restoration in Toronto should amalgamate experience, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding the city’s architectural heritage
If you own a brick building in Toronto and need brick repair contact us now for a consultation and quote.