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.
Masonry frost boil is considered a common problem for many brick buildings, whether 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 masonry frost boil. You can learn more about what a frost boil is, how to recognize it, what causes frost boil and why it’s important to have it repaired by a masonry professional.
In the masonry sector, a frost boil is a swelling or bulge that usually 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.
If you notice an unusual swelling on the brick wall of your home, commercial space or historic building, it’s most likely a frost boil. Here’s how to identify it easily (to see the bulge clearly, look at your wall from the side):
Frost boils often result from water infiltration at joints, as in cases where mortar is disintegrating or where flashing around openings is not properly 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. Masonry frost boils can also form as a result of ground movement, but this is a rarer phenomenon.
A frost boil 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 frost boil 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 frost boil is not identified and corrected, this can lead to further weakening of the structure, increasing the risk of collapse. It’s therefore vital not to wait to have a frost boil 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 masonry frost boil.
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 frost boil 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 frost boils in the residential sector (houses, apartment buildings, townhouses, etc.). (houses, apartment buildings, townhouses, duplexes and triplexes) as well as 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, and 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, both residential and commercial, even during the winter, throughout the Greater Montreal area.
If you have a masonry problem in winter, don’t hesitate to contact us and describe your situation. We can then assess the feasibility of solving your problem during the winter months.
If you have any questions about our frost boil repair service, our other 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 travel to many parts of Montreal to repair your masonry frost boil.
If you’re faced with an urgent and potentially dangerous masonry situation, you can benefit from our 24/7 emergency service, and we’ll get our team on site as soon as possible.
Montreal