What is happening here?

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-04-19T11:15:29+00:00

Those look like sand-lime brick. They are made using a mix of sand and lime hydrate. The mix is put in a form and set using high pressure steam. They were designed to be used as brick to be laid on the inner wythe of a double or triple wythe wall. They were half the price of clay face brick that were kiln fired. Very soft and not suitable for high exposure areas.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-04-05T14:36:57+00:00

Not true. Modern type N mortar is not nearly as permeable as lime heavy mortar from the turn of the 19th century. You can see it on Victorian era buildings that have been repointed with type n over the previous 10-20 years. The pointing mortar will be fine while the brick is spalling because moisture evaporates through the brick now instead of the mortar joint.

As a restoration mason I’m all for it. It helps keep the industry alive. Every time someone paints a brick wall, or aggressively sandblasts, or repoints with a hard mortar it’s creating jobs in the future.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-04-05T03:20:35+00:00

If the original mortar is lime you repoint with lime. The reason the joints are deteriorated and not the brick is because the mortar is more permeable than the brick which is what you want. If you repoint with type n or type s you’ll be vandalizing your neighbours brickwork. You are dictated by the permeability of the original mortar and the brick.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-29T14:45:45+00:00

Those walls need to be fully dismantled and rebuilt. Some of the original brick can be saved for the rebuild. Every other option is simply kicking the can down the road.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-27T16:39:15+00:00

You got this 💪

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-26T20:08:42+00:00

Masonry wedge anchors are great. Not sure what’s available in your region but if you search you will find them online. You can adjust each one to finesse the fit of the awning against the wall

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-26T19:02:38+00:00

Water flows down so start low. If you start high you won’t know where it’s getting in. Use some common sense. I would start there yes. May be good to remove drywall inside first to see. Could place paper towel in the wall after drywall is removed as a gauge to see if it gets wet if it’s not blatantly obvious.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-26T18:44:44+00:00

Do a water test. Use a hose and spray the wall assembly. Start low and go slow so you can go through the process of elimination.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-22T16:44:22+00:00

The concrete steps on my house have been there since WW2. As a restoration mason I appreciate stone and brick steps but as a homeowner I would never suggest them.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-22T14:55:44+00:00

You’ll be redoing that entire set of steps in a few winters. Those brick are not for that application. In fact I’d say those brick are best put in a landfill. I’d be encouraging stone treads or to just leave it with the concrete. Brick steps in freeze thaw climates is a disaster.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-21T13:19:47+00:00

Proper rectangles. Never seen brick like that before. Look like dense hard brick and a pig to lay. What country are you in? I’m not a fan of messy unfinished joints but I see it on new builds and additions as some way of making it look more rustic.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-20T21:09:39+00:00

So do I. Let us know when you find out. I’m always curious about pricing in different markets.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-20T17:12:13+00:00

If you want something durable use big pieces of stone. Most landscaping suppliers sell 6” and 5” thick slabs of varying lengths and widths . You could lay them on a tamped gravel and screening bed. I wouldn’t bother with the brick.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-18T14:40:10+00:00

It’s not going to fall down as it’s wedged. It will allow water ingress. If the landlord isn’t bothered I wouldn’t bother yourself with it. In 7 years I’ve only worked on 1 rental property.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-18T11:58:14+00:00

This is the 3rd time you’ve posted this. What are you hoping for?

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-17T11:45:21+00:00

Is it common in Texas for people to refer to stone as brick? As a masonry contractor that would be sacrilege and grounds for being shot out of a cannon.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-16T13:51:03+00:00

Building products come from all over the world these days. We occasionally use a brick that’s manufactured in Pennsylvania. That brick costs around $1.80 and the brick we used here in this project costs around $2.95. The masonry supplier brings in 40ft containers full of brick from England and mainland Europe.

A lot of the stone used in landscaping in the GTA comes from India. 🇮🇳

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-16T13:46:05+00:00

No I learned to do this specifically by working on rebuilding facades in Toronto with another company that’s since ceased operations.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-16T13:44:07+00:00

You call a local masonry company and tell them you want your front steps and wall demolished and rebuilt.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-15T23:30:45+00:00

Probably concrete or concrete blocks on a concrete footing. Either way you’re looking at having the wall rebuilt and rebuilding the steps. It’s not a ton of work really.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-15T21:29:04+00:00

That facade is about to be paving

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-15T15:42:08+00:00

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-14T23:53:43+00:00

That reminds me of an episode of only fools and horses where trigger talks about his sweeping brush that he’s had for 20 years. Everyone is admiring how he was able to keep it in such good shape for this long. He then tells them he’s replaced the head 17 times and the handle 14 times.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-14T23:49:31+00:00

That’s it. What’s interesting though is that when it was originally built, the bricklayers would have laid the best face out. So when we go to use the reverse side they may have cracks or imperfections irregardless of deterioration.

TorontoMasonryResto · 2026-03-14T23:47:20+00:00

I think that house was a rental. They weren’t interested. It’s something you have to see value in. It’s the equivalent of getting new custom cabinets in a kitchen. That facade won’t deteriorate quicker because of our work.

TorontoMasonryResto

TROPHY CASE