We have noticed an increase in the amount of calls to our office relating to water permeation and damage on new construction (buildings only 1-3 years old). You would not think that new buildings would have such issues but we have considerable evidence to the contrary. In fact, we are providing you with two recent articles (one from the Chicago SunTimes and one from the Chicago Tribune) remarking on how prevalent these problems are.

“PROBLEMS WITH CONCRETE BLOCK WIDESPREAD IN CITY”	“RAINY DAY WOES”

Undoubtedly these leaking issues derive from initial workmanship flaws coupled with an inferior building material. Summer months can bring temperatures as high as 120 degrees on block walls which are directly exposed to the sun. Block walls exposed to the wind, snow and ice can drop the wall temperature to 20 or 30 degrees below zero. These temperature extremes expand and contract the block units creating small hairline cracks within the mortar joints and often within the block themselves. If water penetrates these cracks and freezes the cracks get larger. This pattern is repeated every freeze/thaw cycle. The same thing happens during the settling of a newly constructed block wall building. As the new foundation shifts it puts pressure on different areas of the building causing structural cracks within the mortar joints. Vibration from traffic and construction also puts stress on the block facade exacerbating the cracking of the mortar joints.

To combat these complaints ARROW has devised a preventative maintenance program addressing each new construction problem and its solution. The following photos illustrate these serious workmanship concerns.

Be sure to browse our Photos, Testimonials and Frequently Asked Questions sections to obtain further knowledge of ARROW’S complete Split Face Block Repair services.