Repairing Loose Masonry Railings
Are your stair railings getting dangerously wobbly? If you have brick, flagstone or concrete steps and their railings are coming loose, there could be a number of reasons. Before the problem causes you major headaches, have them repaired by a professional mason.
Signs of Failing Mortar
The signs of mortar degradation are clear. You’ll see cracks, holes and other signs of collapse in the mortar or in the surrounding stone. In the case of step railings, you may also notice that the railing is loose or bent.
Crumbling mortar. If insufficient mortar was applied during the initial installation, the mortar will start to crumble and take on a powdery appearance.
Delamination. This can occur when stone or flagstone goes through excessive wear and tear. This shows up as the layers of stone seeming to peel apart. If you see delamination on a single stone, it can often just be replaced, but a widespread problem indicates there is something serious going on.
Bare spots. Loose or missing bricks, stones or mortar are a clear sign that your mortar is failing. This is known as spalling. It requires professional masonry to correct.
What Causes Mortar to Weaken?
Water. The top cause of weakened mortar is water. Brick and stone are almost impervious to water and other elements. But the mortar that binds bricks and stones can weaken over time when wet.
Cracking. A constant freeze-and-thaw cycle, such as we experience with our local weather, causes concrete, brick, and stone to expand and contract with changing of the weather. This makes the stones shift and move, leading to cracking and weakening of the mortar.
Poor installation. An improper job when the steps were first put in could also come back to bite you. If your masonry installer did a rushed job or didn’t mix the concrete and mortar correctly, your mortar won’t adhere properly and will start to come loose.
Additives. Using chemicals like rock salt will also wear down mortar between stones. If you use it to melt ice on your steps in the winter, make sure to thoroughly wash it off the bricks or flagstones with a mix of ammonia and water.
Improper cleaning. Sandblasting and power washing can cause your mortar to erode. Always ask a professional mason about the best ways to keep your stone clean.
Can You Fix the Railing Yourself?
Repairing brick, flagstone or concrete steps is a long, tedious process that requires patience and skill. You should consider hiring a professional mason because:
- The work is time-consuming and painstaking.
- Any mistakes you made will be literally “set in stone” and almost impossible to fix.
- The brick will look sloppy.
- The mortar may weaken further.
- Large jobs may require more than one worker.
Call on Capital Masonry
Capital Masonry is a third-generation masonry with the knowledge, experience, and dedication to complete all your masonry repairs with skill and safety. If you have brick, concrete or flagstone steps that are showing signs of wear, call Capital Masonry. Our expert masons can conduct a thorough assessment of your railings and outline the necessary steps to repair them.
Don’t let dangerous, loose railings cause you any worries. Call Capital Masonry today and get them ship-shape for the summer.