Typical signs
- Step cracking, spalled brick, powdery mortar, bulging or separation.
Where it is often found
- Brick veneers, chimneys, foundations and retaining walls.
What it can mean
- Foundation movement, trapped water, freeze-thaw, corroding steel or missing joints.
What to check next
- Photograph the pattern and displacement.
- Check flashings, weeps, caps and cracks in the building.
Reasonable immediate actions
- Keep people away from an area that bulges or sheds pieces.
When to stop and call a professional
- Bulging wall, through-crack, falling brick, chimney involvement or rapid progression.
Prevention
- Water management, maintained joints, caps and movement monitoring.