Quick Answer
Okay so here's the quick version. Your brick, stone, or stucco is looking rough, right? Nine times out of ten, it's water. Water gets in, freezes, or just plain erodes the mortar that's holding everything together. For little hairline cracks or some powdery mortar, you can probably fix it yourself on a Saturday for under 50 bucks with some patch and a trowel. But if you're seeing bricks you can wiggle, or big, ugly cracks that look like a staircase... don't mess around. That's a structural issue, and you're looking at a pro. It only gets worse and more expensive if you ignore it.
Common Symptoms
Possible Causes
Step-by-Step Diagnosis
Step 1
Do a walk-around. Stand back from the house and look at the big picture. Are the walls straight? Do you see any patterns of damage, like only under a leaky gutter?
Step 2
Get up close and personal. Use a screwdriver or key to gently scrape the mortar joints. If it's soft and sandy, it needs replacement. Tap on stucco or brick and listen for hollow sounds, which indicate separation.
Step 3
Analyze the cracks. Measure their width. Hairline cracks are one thing; cracks wider than 1/4 inch are a major concern. Note the direction: vertical and horizontal cracks mean different things than stair-step cracks.
Step 4
Find the source of the water. This is critical. Before you fix anything, you have to find and fix the root cause, whether it's a downspout, bad grading, or a leak from a window above.
DIY vs Professional Costs
| Repair Type | DIY Cost | Professional Cost | Time Required |
|---|---|---|---|
Filling a few hairline stucco/concrete cracks | $20 - $50 | $250 - $500 | 1-2 hours |
Repointing a small section of brick (10 sq ft) | $50 - $100 | $500 - $1,000 | A full weekend |
Replacing a single loose, non-structural brick | $30 - $60 | $200 - $400 | 2-3 hours |
Fixing a structural/foundation crack | DO NOT DIY | $2,000 - $15,000+ | Days to Weeks |
When to Call a Professional Masonry
- You see stair-step cracks in a brick or block wall. This is a potential foundation issue and you need an expert yesterday.
- A wall is visibly bulging, bowing, or leaning. This is an emergency and a sign of potential collapse.
- The repair is on a chimney or high up on a wall, requiring specialized scaffolding and safety equipment.
- You live in a historic home (generally pre-1940s) that requires special lime-based mortars and techniques to avoid damaging the old, soft brick.
- You're just not comfortable with the work. There's no shame in it. A good mason can do in a day what might take you three weekends, and it'll look a hundred times better.
Prevention Tips
- Keep your gutters clean and ensure downspouts direct water at least 6-8 feet away from the foundation. This is the most important thing you can do.
- Walk around your property twice a year (spring and fall) to look for any new cracks or deteriorating mortar joints. Catching problems early saves a ton of money.
- Maintain the sealant around windows, doors, and any other wall penetrations. Don't let water have an easy way in.
- Keep plants and shrubs trimmed back from your masonry walls to allow for air circulation, which helps keep them dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
Efflorescence on Brick Troubleshooting & Fixes (2024 Guide)
Got that ugly white powder on your brick? Here's a veteran mason's guide to what efflorescence is, how to get rid of it, and how to stop it for good.
Masonry Problems on Your House? (Troubleshooting & Fixes)
Seeing cracked bricks or crumbling mortar? A veteran tech shares 25+ years of experience on how to fix masonry issues and when to call a pro.
Masonry Repair (General) Troubleshooting & Fixes (2024 Guide)
Seeing cracked mortar or crumbling bricks? A 25-year vet explains the common causes of masonry fails and how to fix them before it gets expensive.
Masonry Repair for Crumbling Walls & Mortar Troubleshooting & Fixes (2024 Guide)
Seeing crumbling mortar or cracked bricks? A veteran tech of 25+ years shows you how to spot the real problem and when you can fix it yourself.
Masonry Damage: This refers to various forms of deterioration or structural compromises in building elements constructed from materials like brick, stone, or concrete blocks. This can include issues with the mortar, the individual units (bricks, stones), or the structural integrity of the masonry assembly. Troubleshooting & Fixes (2024 Guide)
Got crumbling brick or cracked mortar? A 25-year vet shows you how to spot serious masonry damage, what you can fix yourself, and when to call in a pro.
General Masonry Repair Troubleshooting & Fixes
Need Professional Help?
Find top-rated masonry experts in your area