How Water Infiltration Occurs Through Masonry And How To Stop It
How Water Infiltration Occurs Through Masonry and How to Stop It
Water infiltration in your historic masonry home often begins subtly, but over time, it can cause severe deterioration. Understanding how moisture enters and spreads through masonry is the first step to protecting the character, durability, and appearance of your historic masonry home.
How Water Gets In
Water infiltration occurs when moisture seeps through small vulnerabilities in the masonry system. These typically include:
Failed or missing mortar joints: Historic mortar may crack or wash out over time, primarily if previous repairs used incompatible mortar.
Hairline cracks in brick or stone: Natural settlement, freeze-thaw cycles, or impact can cause tiny cracks that allow water to seep in.
Damaged or missing flashings and caps: At chimneys, parapets, and wall tops, these protective elements are essential to directing water away.
Poor drainage or grading: When water isn’t directed away from the foundation, it increases saturation of the lower walls.
Once water gets in, it travels through pores and cracks by capillary action. Trapped moisture can freeze and expand, leading to spalling, staining, or interior damage.
How To Stop It
K.B. Masonry LLC addresses water infiltration by identifying and resolving each source of entry with care and attention to your historic masonry home’s original materials:
Repointing mortar joints with appropriate historic mortar that matches in composition and permeability ensures moisture can escape while keeping water out.
Replacing cracked or deteriorated masonry units using materials that match in texture, shape, and porosity.
Installing or repairing flashings and masonry caps using traditional materials that honor your home’s design.
Improving drainage by adjusting grade, extending downspouts, or installing perimeter drainage systems when necessary.
Avoid using water repellents that seal the surface and trap moisture inside the wall system.
Conclusion
With proper assessment and treatment using time-tested restoration methods and materials, K.B. Masonry LLC ensures your historic masonry home is protected from ongoing moisture damage. Preserving character, durability, and appearance starts with understanding how water works its way in—and how to keep it out, the right way.
