How to Strengthen a Brick Wall When It Destroys -

Brick is a durable material used in the construction of buildings, fences, stairs and other structures. It is used in the construction of walls. Despite its reliability, structures wear out. Cracks and other defects appear. The load-bearing properties decrease, which leads to the gradual destruction of the structure. If measures are not taken in time, an accident may occur. How to strengthen a brick wall if it is collapsing, we will tell you further.

Causes of destruction

Walls are deformed due to:

Natural aging of the material – the brick is durable, but its service life is limited.
Soil subsidence – subsidence of the soil on which the foundation of a building is located, contributes to the appearance of defects on the walls, which leads to subsequent collapse.
Errors made at the design and construction stage – for example, incorrect calculation of loads, incorrect connection of bricks during laying, construction of a wall of insufficient strength.
Influences of natural factors – extreme weather conditions, which include heavy rains, low temperatures, gusty winds, etc., provoke the appearance of cracks in the walls.
Poor foundation support – an improperly designed or constructed foundation will result in uneven load distribution and deformation.

The question of how to strengthen a load-bearing wall also arises if damage occurred after vibration and impacts. For example, during construction work, installation of powerful equipment at the site, etc.

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Stages of brickwork deformation

The walls are destroyed gradually, so many do not notice the problem until the critical moment arrives. The process takes place in several stages:

The occurrence of stresses – they are unnoticeable and do not lead to strong deformations. They appear for many reasons – from builders’ errors to soil movements and natural phenomena.
Formation of small cracks on individual bricks – not visible at the initial stage, therefore rarely eliminated. As a result, more serious problems arise.
Small cracks merge into one – at this stage, vertical defects arise. The masonry begins to delaminate. The cracks are easily visible, they widen and increase in size.
Destruction of the building.

The question of how to strengthen a brick wall should be decided when the first signs of deformation are detected. With each stage, repairs will cost more. Severely damaged walls are not always subject to restoration.

How to determine the need for strengthening

There are several ways to detect defects:

External inspection – the wall surface is carefully examined. Any damage to the integrity may indicate problems.
Crack measurements – surveys are carried out using special instruments. If the parameters exceed the permissible limits, reinforcement will be required.
Sound check – performed by tapping. A solid sound comes from a reliable wall. A ringing echo indicates integrity issues. Additional testing may be required.

Violations can also be identified by inspecting the inside of the wall. The presence of cracks and other defects indicates the need for repairs.

How to strengthen a wall

Experts use different methods of wall reinforcement. All of them are divided into two groups – traditional and innovative.

The wall of a brick house has cracked: how to strengthen it

To eliminate the problem, steel reinforcement technology is often used. The work is carried out in several stages:

Preliminary surveys – assessment of the wall condition, detection of cracks and deformations. Upon completion, a reinforcement project is developed.
Preparing the wall – the surface is cleaned of dust, dirt and debris. Large cracks are sealed with mortar.
Installation of steel rods – installed along cracks, as well as at the junction with the ceiling. The parts are firmly attached with anchors.
Filling the reinforcement with reinforced mortar to enhance the adhesion of the rods to the surface.
Alignment of the wall and covering with finishing plaster – the appearance is restored.

Repair increases the strength and resistance of the structure to deformation. If the wall of the house has cracked, you already know how to strengthen it. But if you do not have sufficient skills, you need to contact professionals.

How to Strengthen a Leaning Wall

Such structures create many problems, one of which is complex repairs. For high-quality reinforcement it is necessary:

Identify the causes of the tilt – the defect could have arisen due to improper foundation arrangement, soil movements or a sharp increase in loads. After determining the cause of the deformation, a repair technology is selected.
Consult with specialists – engineers and architects who are engaged in the restoration of buildings will inspect the structure, assess its condition and choose a method for strengthening the building wall .
Installing supporting structures is a traditional technology for strengthening inclined structures. Metal beams, reinforced concrete slabs or piles are used. They help stabilize the wall and prevent further deformation.
Install soil systems – this method is used if the slope is associated with soil subsidence. Geogrids or pile foundations are installed. They will strengthen the soil and stop the wall from shifting.

Such work should also be entrusted to specialists.

Strengthening walls with anchors and studs

The technology is simple and is implemented in several stages:

Preparation of the structure – cleaning the surface from foreign particles. If there are cracks, they are widened and sealed.
Installation of studs and anchors – metal components are installed in pre-prepared holes. It is important to place them correctly and securely fix them. This way the parts will support the wall.
Filling the holes – the attachment points of the studs and anchors are filled with epoxy glue or cement mortar to ensure a strong bond with the wall and increase stability.

Upon completion, the final finishing of the building is carried out.

Innovative strengthening technologies

Carbon fiber is often used to repair damaged walls. Canvases, lamellas and sheets are made of carbon fibers, which provide the product with a number of properties. The materials are flexible with high reliability. Their strength is higher than that of steel. The service life exceeds 50 years. Composites qualitatively strengthen walls, even if they are badly damaged. The work is carried out quickly, without closing the building for repairs and using heavy construction equipment.

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Repair stages:

Preparing the wall – cleaning it from foreign particles and sealing large defects (we have already discussed how to repair a crack in a brick wall).
Marking the surface for fixing composites.
Preparation of materials – cutting rolls, cutting out pieces according to markings and processing with epoxy resin.
When gluing carbon fiber to walls, it is important to ensure a tight fit without wrinkles or bubbles.
Alignment and fastening – pins and staples are used for a stronger connection.
Application of a sealing layer provides additional strength to the structure.

Upon completion, finishing is carried out. Carbon fiber protects the walls from destruction for many years.

Another innovative repair technology is injection. The method is suitable for restoring walls, basements, ceilings, partitions, construction joints and other elements. The essence of the technology is the introduction of repair compounds into structures under pressure. For this, holes are drilled in the wall and profile installations are used.

Injections fill the voids inside the structure, which strengthens the structure and increases its strength. Destruction is stopped, the resistance of the masonry to any impacts is improved. The technology requires minimal intervention in the structure, so it is considered economical. There is no need to dismantle the masonry, rebuild the structure or carry out other complex work.

Injection is performed in several stages:

Condition assessment using external inspection, load calculations and other parameters.
Project development.
Preparation of the base – cleaning the surface from the remains of building materials and other particles.
Drilling holes – the holes must be of a certain diameter.
Installation of packers – tubes through which the repair compound will be supplied.
Injection is the process of forcing the solution inward under pressure.
Removing packers and sealing holes.

You can repair a wall by injection using several compositions. Classic mixtures are cement substances, epoxy resins, bitumen or liquid glass. Microcements, solutions on a polyurethane or acrylic basis are also used. A specific composition is selected taking into account the tasks to be solved.

Strengthening openings

In addition to repairing walls, do not forget about reinforcing openings, as they are also subject to destruction. Restoration is carried out using metal U-shaped profiles or corners. In complex cases, components are combined.

What’s the bottom line?

Repair of old brickwork is a prerequisite for further operation of the building. Strengthening will stop the destruction and deformation of the walls. It will restore the load-bearing properties, which is important when redeveloping or re-equipping the facility. For example, in the case of adding floors to residential buildings, installing new equipment in industrial buildings, etc.

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