Expert Brick Replacement and Restoration

Brick repair fixes damaged, cracked, or deteriorating bricks before they compromise your building's structure and appearance. Whether you're dealing with spalling from freeze-thaw damage, cracks from settlement, or bricks that have fallen out completely, professional repair restores both strength and curb appeal.

Individual brick problems spread quickly. What starts as one damaged brick can lead to water infiltration, structural issues, and costly repairs if ignored.

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Common Brick Problems We Fix

Spalling Bricks

Spalling is when the brick face flakes, chips, or breaks away in layers. It happens when:

• Water gets into the brick and freezes
• The freeze-thaw cycle breaks the brick apart from inside
• Poor quality bricks were used originally
• Moisture is trapped by paint or improper coatings

Spalling gets worse every winter. Once it starts, the brick needs replacement.

Cracked Bricks

Bricks crack from:

• Foundation settlement or movement
• Thermal expansion and contraction
• Impact damage
• Corroded lintels above windows and doors
• Structural stress

Cracks let water in, which leads to more damage. Small cracks become big problems.

Missing or Loose Bricks

Bricks fall out when:

• Mortar joints completely fail
• Water damage destroys the bond
• Structural movement occurs
• Previous repairs were done poorly

Gaps in your masonry compromise the entire wall's integrity and let water pour into your building.

Damaged Brick Faces

Surface damage from:

• Power washing at too high pressure
• Sandblasting or harsh cleaning
• Impact or vandalism
• Chemical damage
• Grinding accidents during tuckpointing

Damaged brick faces can sometimes be repaired, but often need replacement.

Efflorescence and Staining

White powdery deposits or staining indicate:

• Water moving through the brick
• Mineral salt deposits
• Ongoing moisture problems
• Possible internal damage

While not always requiring replacement, this often signals that bricks are compromised.

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Our Brick Repair Process

1. Assessment

We inspect to determine:

• Extent of damage
• Underlying causes (failed mortar, bad drainage, structural issues)
• Whether repair or replacement is needed
• How many bricks need work
• Related problems requiring attention

2. Matching

Finding the right replacement brick is critical:

• We analyze your existing bricks (size, color, texture, type)
• Source matching bricks from suppliers
• For historic buildings, we locate period-appropriate bricks
• When exact matches aren't available, we blend compatible bricks
• Color and texture variations are normal and expected

3. Removal

Damaged bricks are carefully removed:

• We cut out only the damaged brick
• Surrounding bricks and mortar joints stay intact
• We avoid damage to adjacent masonry
• The opening is cleaned and prepared

4. Installation

New bricks are properly installed:

• Bricks are wetted to proper moisture content
• Mortar is mixed to match existing joints
• Bricks are set with full mortar beds
• Joints are tooled to match existing profile
• Work is protected during curing

5. Finishing

Final steps ensure quality:

• Excess mortar is cleaned off
• Color matching is verified
• Work area is cleaned
• Related issues are addressed

Repairs typically cure in 24-48 hours, with full strength in 28 days.

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Repair vs. Replace: What Works When

When Bricks Can Be Repaired:

Minor Surface Damage:

• Small chips or scratches
• Light surface spalling
• Cosmetic issues only

Options:

• Patching compounds for small areas
• Protective sealers
• Grinding smooth if appropriate

When Bricks Need Replacement:

Structural Damage:

• Cracked completely through
• Spalling that's removed significant material
• Loose or fallen out bricks
• Deep freeze-thaw damage

Why replacement is better:

• Repairs to severely damaged brick don't last
• Patched bricks often look worse than replaced ones
• Structural integrity requires solid bricks
• Water infiltration continues through damaged bricks

We'll give you an honest assessment. If repair will work, we'll tell you. If replacement is needed, we'll explain why.

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Why Brick Repair Matters

Prevents Water Damage

Damaged bricks let water into your building. That water causes:

• Interior wall damage
• Mold and mildew
• Rot in wood framing
• Foundation problems
• More brick damage

Fix the brick, stop the water.

Maintains Structural Integrity

Every brick supports the bricks above it. Damaged or missing bricks:

• Shift loads to adjacent bricks
• Cause progressive failure
• Create instability
• Lead to larger problems

Protects Property Value

Damaged brick makes buildings look neglected. Fresh, matched repairs:

• Restore curb appeal
• Show proper maintenance
• Maintain property value
• Prevent buyer concerns

Stops Progressive Damage

Brick damage spreads. One spalling brick becomes five, then ten. Water gets behind the wall and damages more bricks every winter. Early repair stops this progression.

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Brick Matching Challenges

Why Perfect Matches Are Difficult:

Age and Weathering:

• Your existing bricks have decades of weathering
• New bricks haven't weathered yet
• Colors will blend better over time

Manufacturing Differences:

• Original manufacturers may be out of business
• Brick manufacturing has changed
• Exact color matches are rare

Batch Variations:

• Even the same brick from the same maker varies by batch
• Natural clay variations affect color
• Firing temperatures create differences

Our Matching Approach:

We aim for 90% color accuracy through:

• Analyzing your existing brick characteristics
• Sourcing from multiple suppliers
• Blending multiple brick types when needed
• Using weathered salvage bricks for historic work
• Setting realistic expectations

New bricks will initially stand out slightly. They blend better over 1-2 years as they weather.

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Related Services

Brick repair often goes with:

• Tuckpointing - Mortar joint repair around damaged bricks
• Lintel Replacement - Failed lintels often cause brick damage
• Chimney Repair - Chimney bricks take heavy weather exposure
• Panel Brick Repair - Specific veneer panel issues
• Masonry Restoration - Comprehensive building restoration
• Waterproofing - Prevent future water damage

We handle all of these in one coordinated project.

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Common Questions

Can you match my brick color exactly? We get close, usually 90% or better. Perfect matches are rare because of weathering and manufacturing differences. New bricks blend better over time.

How long does brick repair take? A few bricks might be same-day. Larger repairs take several days depending on quantity and access.

Will you damage surrounding bricks? Careful removal minimizes risk. Our experienced crews know how to remove damaged bricks without harming adjacent masonry.

Can you repair just the front face? Not effectively. Spalling or cracked bricks need complete replacement. Surface patches don't last and usually look worse.

Do I need to replace all the bricks in that area? Only damaged ones need replacement. We don't replace sound bricks just because they're near damaged ones.

What if you can't find matching bricks? We source from multiple suppliers and use salvage yards for historic work. When exact matches don't exist, we find the closest available and blend for best results.

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Why Choose Arrow Masonry

50+ Years of Experience

We've repaired thousands of brick buildings throughout Chicagoland. We know bricks.

Expert Matching

We've built relationships with brick suppliers and salvage yards. We find the best matches available.

Quality Installation

Proper technique means repairs that last decades, not years.

Complete Service

If we find tuckpointing or lintel problems while doing brick repair, we handle it all.

Licensed and Insured

Fully certified and insured for your protection.

See our work and read reviews.

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Get Your Free Inspection

We'll assess your brick damage, explain your options, and provide a detailed quote.

Call: (847) 776-6400

Serving Chicagoland with professional brick repair services.

Learn more about Arrow Masonry.

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Professional brick repair since 1972. Quality work that lasts.