Spalling is the flaking, pitting, or popping of brick faces. Soft historic brick, hard modern mortar that traps moisture, and repeated wet freeze cycles are a familiar mix on central Ohio elevations — especially shaded north walls, chimneys, and grade-line courses that stay damp.
What you will notice
- Brick faces that look blistered, shelled, or missing corners
- Loose flakes at the base of a wall after a freeze
- Spalls concentrated where mortar is harder than the brick
- Damp interior drywall on a brick elevation
Why it happens here
Water enters through open joints, cracked crowns, or grade that holds soil against brick. When temperatures drop, that water expands. Soft brick fails at the face; hard incompatible mortar can push stress into the unit instead of letting the joint take it. Salt near walks and stoops accelerates surface damage.
Repair approach (plain language)
- Stop the water path — joints, crown, flashing interfaces, and grade — so new brick is not soaked the same way.
- Remove units that have lost structural face or soundness.
- Replace with compatible brick and mortar suited to the wall, not a one-bag-for-all mix.
- Discuss sealing only after repairs, and only with masonry-compatible products.
Share photos and which elevation is failing on the free estimate form. This site has no phone number yet — the form is the contact path.
FAQ
Is every chipped brick an emergency?
Isolated chips from impact differ from widespread face failure after freezes. Spreading spalls, especially with open joints or leaks, deserve a closer look soon.
Can you just paint or seal over spalled brick?
Coatings over failing faces do not rebuild the unit and can trap moisture. Sound repairs start with the brick and joints, then moisture management.
Do you match brick color?
We discuss matching options during the estimate. Exact historic matches are not always available; honest scoping includes what can and cannot be matched.
How do I request an estimate?
Use the free estimate form and note the elevation, roughly how many units look damaged, and whether you see interior dampness.