Can old brick and block masonry actually be fully restored?
Brick and block built right will outlast almost everything else on a house, but eventually the surface starts breaking down — even on solid hundred-year-old walls. The good news is that most older masonry can be brought back to original condition or better with the right repairs, the right matching brick, and patient hands. We restore historic clay brick from early-1900s homes, modern concrete block, and everything in between. Looking to bring that brick character indoors? We also install interior brick accent walls using thin veneer or restored exposed brick.
Why does brick crumble faster in Michigan than in other climates?
Michigan beats up brick faster than mild climates do. Freeze-thaw cycles drive water into hairline cracks, the water expands when it freezes, and the brick face starts popping off in flakes — that's spalling. Add road salt spray near driveways and walkways, plus moisture from leaky gutters or grade issues, and you get the deteriorated walls and crumbling blocks that homeowners across West Michigan keep finding when they take a closer look at their exterior.
How do you match new brick to an existing old wall?
The hard part of restoration usually isn't the masonry work — it's tracking down brick that actually matches the original. We pull from salvage yards, brick recyclers, and specialty suppliers around the region until we find pieces that blend in for color, size, and texture. For concrete block, we address whatever's actually causing the damage first, then apply finishes or coatings that make sense for the location.
Can spalling brick be saved or does it have to be replaced?
Whether a damaged brick can be saved or needs to come out really comes down to how deep the damage goes. Light surface spalling can sometimes be stabilized in place. Bricks that have lost a serious chunk of their face, or that have been freeze-thawed multiple seasons running, are usually better off being replaced before they start dragging the surrounding bricks down with them. We make that call wall by wall.
Call Adam Baker Masonry at (616) 612-1284 for a free brick restoration assessment. We'll come out, take an honest look at what's going on, and give you a written estimate based on what your masonry actually needs.
