Hairline cracks in the brick Mortar

[NotADcotor]

My father used to every couple of wears dig it out and refill. However I read on line that it's fine to leave it alone, they are hairline cracks, the bricks are fine.

Thankfully I can reach it from ground level as I am utterly terrified of heights, but I'd rather not fuck around and find out as everything I do turns to shit.

So do something or leave it be.

 

[xix]

Leave it.

I say this from an experience client. I heard the term pointing used. Meaning the bricks. WE had to fix ours because it is a 8 story building.

What is in brick mortar?

Mortar is a mixture of sand and cements that is most often used to build brick or block walls.

Probably better to just patch it up.
IF you are referring to the cement... you have to know which one was used. There are several kinds, wrong kind and you will be doing it again within 5 years. Even pros have a hard time telling them apart.

If you think it could be bad down the road I suggest educate yourself using the youtube and internet.

 

[xix]

 

[NotADcotor]

Leave it.

I say this from an experience client. I heard the term pointing used. Meaning the bricks. WE had to fix ours because it is a 8 story building.

What is in brick mortar?

Mortar is a mixture of sand and cements that is most often used to build brick or block walls.

Probably better to just patch it up.
IF you are referring to the cement... you have to know which one was used. There are several kinds, wrong kind and you will be doing it again within 5 years. Even pros have a hard time telling them apart.

If you think it could be bad down the road I suggest educate yourself using the youtube and internet.

I've come across the video mentioned below actually. Also the idea of leaving it alone/no big deal is from the internet, but it does make me a bit nervous and again the old man would patch it up every few years. I have no idea what tools or mortar he used and the tool room, it's impossible to find anything there, it is chaos and ony he knew where everything was.

From what I've seen, it does not fill me with confidence as different videos seem to lean different ways.
Also I have no idea what was used, House was built in the mid 90s.

It's only a 1 story plus basement. The cracks are very thin, although one is a bit long.

 

[angrymime666]

Not a brick mason but unless the mortar is disintegrating where a significant amount is gone then you need to repoint. Cracking is inevitable as buildings shift and mortar is not flexible. There is a tube of mortar available at the box stores that you could use but it only comes in grey. It won't match well with colored mortar.

 

[rgkv]

If it continues to crack, and has for years like you said. then it is movement in the building and unless you fix that, it will happen time and time again. there are gadgits you can buy to attach to the building, over top of the crack, it will measure movement and then you know if its the building or the mortor being used

 

[xix]

Some one told me their house was cracking in half, at the half of the rectangle. She paid some contractors to fix it. Since she knew men to men she got a deal. They told her it won't happen in another 30-40 years.

Since the house isn't that old, if you can get a hold of the builder, they might know the cement company and they could tell you the cement they used. Get it in writing or write it down.
I doubt city hall with help but I think they are supposed to keeps records or the architect office should have it.

 

[rgkv]

Some one told me their house was cracking in half, at the half of the rectangle. She paid some contractors to fix it. Since she knew men to men she got a deal. They told her it won't happen in another 30-40 years.

Since the house isn't that old, if you can get a hold of the builder, they might know the cement company and they could tell you the cement they used. Get it in writing or write it down.
I doubt city hall with help but I think they are supposed to keeps records or the architect office should have it.

I dought very much you will ever match the existing motor, repairs I have done I have just used everyday, home depot mortor. And so far, no new cracks. Sometimes after the building settles, no more cracks. Even if you knew which motor they used, which they mix on their own , you'll never match their mix.

 

[xix]

I dought very much you will ever match the existing motor, repairs I have done I have just used everyday, home depot mortor. And so far, no new cracks. Sometimes after the building settles, no more cracks. Even if you knew which motor they used, which they mix on their own , you'll never match their mix.

I agree, but if you can get close to it, better. If you go the opposite direction you will be at it within 3-5 years. It happened to us only because the building is 8 floors. So that is a lot of weight. One floor? I don't know.

 

[NotADcotor]

If it continues to crack, and has for years like you said. then it is movement in the building and unless you fix that, it will happen time and time again. there are gadgits you can buy to attach to the building, over top of the crack, it will measure movement and then you know if its the building or the mortor being used

I'm not saying everything is falling apart, but new hairline cracks appear from time to time. Don't think they were in the same place. My father could give more details, but if he was in the mood for talking, it would be to ask for more Brrraaaiiinnns. He never thought it was an issue, and my neighbour [semi detached] I don't think he is too worried. Before he died I pointed out a hairline crack and he was like, meh, it can go a bit longer.

I am inclined to go with your first suggestion of just leave it, that seems to be the consensus on the internet.

I am totally out of my element here, Neither myself or my jive soul bro inherited my father's trades/farm boy know how. If the housing market wasn't such a hot mess, I should probably move to an apartment.

The home builder is still in business, but the house was built IIRC in 96, I doubt they would even bother to keep records that far back.

 

[xix]

The home builder is still in business, but the house was built IIRC in 96, I doubt they would even bother to keep records that far back.

Just call the builders and see what they say. IT doesn't cost anything and it will save you a lot of MONEY and TIME.