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Did you know that brick is one of the three most common exterior claddings in Quebec? Brick and stone offer a number of benefits including enhanced durability, thermal insulation and fire resistance. However, the weather variations, such as the freeze-thaw cycle so characteristic of Quebec’s climate, can cause damage to brick and stone cladding.
Bulging wall is considered a common problem for many brick buildings, whether it is residential, commercial or heritage. Sadly, it is one of the main causes of building deterioration in Quebec.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the phenomenon of wall bulging. You can learn more about what a bulging is and how to recognize it. Also, you will learn what causes it and why it’s important to have it repaired by a masonry professional.
In the masonry sector, a bulging wall is a swelling or bow that forms in a brick or stone wall, when the bricks or stones begin to detach from the structure. This anomaly can result from a number of factors, such as weak anchors, construction errors or moisture. It can also be call a bowing wall, a wall distorstion, or a swelling wall.
If you notice an unusual swelling on your brick or masonry wall it’s most likely a bulging wall. Here’s how to identify it easily (to see the bulge clearly, look at your wall from the side):
Swelling walls often result from water infiltration at the joints. This can happen when mortar is disintegrating or flashing around openings is poorly installed.
In addition, insufficient insulation can cause water to accumulate in the wall as a result of the freeze-thaw cycle. This moisture can attack and weaken the flashings used to hold the masonry to the facade. Over time, these flashings can fail, causing the wall to buckle. Bulging walls can also form as a result of ground movement, but this is a rarer phenomenon.
A bulge on a wall isn’t just an aesthetic problem. It can also present a number of dangers and risks, especially if it isn’t treated properly.
Here are the main dangers associated with this deformation :
Finally, the greatest risk that can be caused by neglecting to repair is the partial or total collapse of your wall. As previously mentioned, a bowing wall is usually a sign of structural failure in the wall, often due to moisture problems, material degradation, or construction defects. These factors can progressively weaken the wall’s structure, reducing its ability to support the weight and loads to which it is subjected.
Over time, if the cause of a bulging wall is not identified and corrected, this can lead to further weakening of the structure. It can also increas the risk of collapse. Therefore, it’s vital not to wait to have a swelling wall repaired, otherwise it could lead to collapse, which in turn could cause serious injury.
One of our main concerns as a masonry contractor is to ensure the safety of our customers. One of the services our company offers is masonry consolidation and securing with structural anchors, which is done first and foremost to secure the site urgently, depending on the level of damage. You can count on quick action to secure the area around the potbelly to prevent collapses, which could cause serious injury.
Please note that these steps are an overview of the work typically performed when repairing a bulging brick or masonry wall.
Every project is different, and the work carried out may differ from that described below.
**If bricks are deemed unusable for wall reconstruction, your masonry professional can advise you on the best type of brick to use for your wall replacement and building type, especially in the case of historic or heritage buildings.
It’s not uncommon for additional work to be required to preserve the integrity of your brick wall and the building itself.
Here’s an overview of the additional work your masonry professional can perform when repairing your oxbow:
Even if you have extensive masonry knowledge, if you want a safe, durable and effective repair, it’s best to entrust your swelling wall repair to masonry professionals like Restaure-Action. Here’s why:
With over 60 years’ experience, Restaure-Action’s team of expert bricklayers is dedicated to carrying out your renovation projects, adapting its practices according to the scope of your project.
We offer a comprehensive restoration consulting service, including analysis of building envelope issues, design of repair solutions, budget and time planning, and actual execution of the work.
Certified and recognized by the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec, and the Association des Entrepreneurs en Maçonnerie du Québec, the Restoration team includes certified craftsmen and professionals, some with over 35 years’ experience. Ongoing training ensures that every employee has the latest masonry skills and knowledge.
What’s more, our company has a vast fleet of equipment and tools, which undergo regular and meticulous preventive maintenance. This allows us to carry out a wide range of projects without the need for outside rental.
Finally, at Restaure-Action, protecting the environment is one of our top priorities. Material recovery, dust control and travel are just some of the actions we integrate into our operations.
We can repair bulging walls in the residential sector (houses, apartment buildings, townhouses, etc.). (houses, apartment buildings, townhouses, duplexes and triplexes). We can also do repair in the commercial sector (commercial spaces, shopping centers, warehouses, historic buildings, etc.).
If your damaged building doesn’t fall into one of these categories, we invite you to contact us. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Masonry damage is often unpredictable, and doesn’t depend on the season. Fortunately, we’re here to help! At Restaure-Action, our technicians are qualified to carry out a wide range of masonry work. Als, we can do jobs on both residential and commercial, even during winter, throughout the Greater Montreal area.
If you have a masonry problem in winter, don’t hesitate to contact us and describe your situation. Then, we can assess the feasibility of solving your problem during the winter months.
If you have questions about our bulging wall repair service, our masonry services or to request a free estimate, we invite you to contact us. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible. We can go everywhere in Montreal to repair your masonry wall swelling.
If you’re faced with an urgent and potentially dangerous masonry situation, you can benefit from our 24/7 emergency service. Be assured that we’ll get our team on site as soon as possible.
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