The brick fence is the strongest, most reliable, and, at the same time, expensive type of fence. However, over time, some elements of the brick structure become worthless: the masonry deteriorates, the foundation sags, and cracks appear. Any of the defects must be repaired in a timely manner.

The technology of repair work depends on the type and depth of damage, its prescription and the consequences caused by a brick fence with a particular defect.

Content

1. The main causes of defects in the brick fence  video
2. DIY brick fence repair technology
   • methods for eliminating various types of cracks in masonry
   • support pillar repair
   • elimination of deformations caused by the destruction of the foundation
3. Prevention of cracking and subsidence of the foundation of a brick fence  video

The main causes of defects in the brick fence

The service life of a brick fence erected in accordance with all technological rules is at least 25 years. Over time, under the influence of temperature changes, bright sunlight, strong gusts of wind and frost, the masonry loses its original attractiveness, deteriorates, and some bricks fall out.

If any flaws were allowed at the construction stage, then restoration of the fence will be required much earlier, a couple of years after the construction of the fence.

The first sign of problems that threaten the integrity and solidity of a brick wall is the appearance of small cracks on the surface of the fence. Some cracks may not change in size over several years, while others will rapidly increase (this happens if the damaged area is subjected to constant loads).

We highlight the main causes of defects in the fence, which require repair of the brickwork or the entire structure:

1. Incorrect or insufficient waterproofing of the foundation. If a layer of waterproofing material is not laid between the base of the brick fence and the wall, this leads to wetting of the brickwork, and, as a result, the formation of microcracks.
2. Brick pores and microcracks can appear due to moisture inside building materials. When water evaporates, the pores of the brick expand, the structure of the material weakens, cracks appear and the masonry begins to gradually collapse.
3. Inconsistency of the type of brick with the climatic conditions of the region. For example, the laying of ordinary bricks, not suitable for low temperatures, in a region with prolonged and severe frosts.
4. Use when laying important elements of hollow types of bricks. Such material is not designed for prolonged physical activity and does not tolerate the adverse effects of environmental factors (cold, heat, gusts of wind).
5. Errors in laying the foundation (lack of foundation reinforcement, sand and gravel substrates, shallow trench).
6. Incorrect installation of support pillars of a brick fence:
   • if the dressing between the support column and the brickwork is not provided, a crack may form between these structural elements;
   • the absence of a metal rod inside the support column reduces the strength and stability of the brick fence.

Conducting timely repair of the fence will help stop the destruction process and eliminate the cause of the formation of defects.

DIY brick fence repair technology

Restoring a brick fence is a laborious process, requiring the purchase of building materials, the availability of special tools and equipment. It should be noted that the involvement of specialists will significantly increase the cost of repairing the fence, so it is advisable to do all the work yourself, adhering to the necessary technologies.

methods for eliminating various types of cracks in masonry

Cracks are the most common stone wall defect. If you find the first crack, you need to inspect the entire fence and make sure that such a problem is single.

In order to determine how to properly eliminate the defect, you need to know the reason for its occurrence. To do this, the crack must be covered with a layer of alabaster or cement mortar, and left in this position for a week.

If after a period of time a fresh crack does not appear on the hardened cement layer, then the fence is deformed due to the decay of the brick. However, if small cracks or a puncture appear on the lighthouse, this indicates an incorrect installation of the fence; such a defect requires a more thorough, deep repair.

DIY repair technology for the fence will depend on what kind of crack it is:

• active or passive;
• through, deep or superficial;
• small or large, which can lead to a weakening of the design of the entire fence;

• angular or frontal crack.

Passive cracks  arise under the influence of external factors (weather conditions). For a long time they do not deform and do not lead to the destruction of the overall structure of the fence.

Repairing such deformations does not take much time and can be performed in two ways:

1. Cement mortar is applied on top of the damaged area (the repair mortar must have the same strength and base as the one on which the fence was originally built).
2. If possible, cracked bricks can be replaced with new ones.

Active cracks  require quick repairs, as they spread along the brickwork and pose a threat to the integrity of the entire fence. Basically, the reason for the appearance of an active crack is the failure to comply with the technology in the construction of a brick fence.

Correct installation of the causes of an active crack is the key to the success of its elimination. In this case, it is better to consult a specialist, otherwise the error in determining the source of the problem will cost a lot. Cracks will occur again and again.

To stop the growth of a crack, you can use a metal rod, which is mounted in brickwork. The rod will keep the structure from destruction for some time. This time is enough to determine the point that creates a large load and stress on the fence.

Active cracks are a problem characteristic of older buildings. Modern building materials are manufactured using the latest technology, which significantly reduces the risk of such defects and facilitates repair.

A small in size (not more than 8 mm), pass-through, passive crack can be repaired as follows:

1. Using a scarpel (a small chisel with a stiff wire at the end), expand the crack.
2. Clean the hole from crumbs, dust and rinse with water.
3. Fill the crack with cement mortar and leave to solidify.
4. The damaged area on top can be covered with insulating material, the color of which matches the color of the brickwork.

To eliminate a deep and wide crack (about 10 mm), it is necessary to drill a hole in the masonry and insert a tube with a diameter of 1.25-1.85 mm into it. Through the made channel, cement mortar must be pumped into the fence.

Repairing brickwork with a very wide crack (about 20 mm) involves removing and replacing cracked and damaged bricks with new ones.

If the crack in the fence is very long, then you need to use a special lock made of steel profile or strip. The metal section is attached to the wall with dowels. Wooden strips or matches can be placed between the brick and the dowel; this will increase the fixing strength of the dowel.

The use of this technology will negatively appear on the appearance of a brick fence. An alternative, but more expensive option is replacing the damaged area with new masonry.

If cracks with a width of more than 20 mm appear, wall reposition should be done. To maintain the stability of the part of the brick fence located above the damaged area, it is necessary to install an additional beam or crossbar, and after that, erect a new wall.

Splitting the outer corner of the fence poses a serious danger to the integrity of the entire fence. To stop the destructive process on the wall surface, it is necessary to fix the metal corner pads using dowels.

support pillar repair

A typical mistake in the construction of brick fences is the failure to comply with the technology of erecting pillars, especially those to which the gates are attached.

Usually inside the support posts there is a metal rod that strengthens the structure. 2-3 logs are welded to the metal pipe to secure the gates and bring them out through the brickwork of the pillar. However, for reliable fixation of heavy gates, such fastening is not enough and over time, the masonry is destroyed.

There are two ways to fix this defect.

1. Radical complete dismantling of the supports and their reinstallation. Re-erection of pillars should be carried out in such a way that the metal rod is located at the edge of the support (out of the column).

2. Installation of additional supports for installing the gate.

For repair you will need:

• two long metal pipes for supports;
• metal pipe for structural stability (laid along the line of the gate between the supports and reduces the load on them);
• components of concrete mortar (sand, gravel, cement, water).

The order of work is as follows:

1. Additional support pipes must be dug into the ground (depth 70 cm, for a fence about 2 meters high).
2. To prepare a concrete solution: mix one part of sand and water, and then add three parts of sand and crushed stone.
3. Fill support columns with prepared mortar.
4. Dig a trench along the goal line and place a metal pipe in it, which is subsequently welded to the support beams.
5. Allow the solution to solidify (about a day) and fill the ditch with soil, gravel and sand.

Additionally, you can strengthen the gate by fixing the support pipes also from above. For this, a metal pipe, the same size as the pipe lowered into the ground, is welded to the vertical supports that are located near the brick pillars.

elimination of deformations caused by the destruction of the foundation

It is a little more difficult to repair a brick fence with your own hands if the cause of the destruction is an incorrectly flooded foundation, namely:

• insufficient depth or width of the foundation;
• poor quality pouring or non-compliance with the proportions of the concrete mortar;
• lack of drainage;
• non-compliance with the technology (the foundation did not survive the time set for it for solidification).

All of these errors can lead to shrinkage of the foundation, and, as a result, the appearance of cracks in the brickwork and the deflection of the fence wall.

You can try to revive the brick fence and strengthen the foundation:

1. Support the wall from the side into which the masonry floats. You can use concrete posts, metal pipes or wooden beams.
2. To a depth below the base of the foundation, it is necessary to dig a trench and establish supports. U-shaped piles welded from a channel are suitable as a support (the length of the lower edges of the support should be at least 20 cm).

If the subsidence of the foundation manifests itself repeatedly in different parts of the fences, then repairing the fence is impractical. Will have to re-build a brick structure, including the foundation

Prevention of cracking and subsidence of the foundation of a brick fence

Repairing a brick fence is not an easy task, and it is not always possible to completely restore brickwork or give the finished foundation the necessary strength.

In this case, the problem is easier to prevent than to deal with its consequences. When thinking about how to make a brick fence, you need to consider some recommendations that will help to build a strong and durable fence:

• When laying the foundation, you should adhere to the rule: there is little concrete. The deeper the trench, the longer the life of the fence will be.

• If the groundwater is not too deep, then the foundation must be reinforced.

• On a site with moving soil, it is better to abandon the construction of a brick fence, and establish a lighter fence.
• The distance between the supporting posts should be no more than 4 meters, and the foundation under it must be laid deeper than under the wall.

The construction and repair of a brick fence should be taken responsibly, because any house is considered a reliable fortress only if there is a strong and durable fence.

Author: Sergey and Svetlana Khuentsov

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