Mortar Analysis

Mortar analysis reveals the hidden recipe that holds your masonry together, ensuring repair materials match original composition for compatible, lasting restoration that won't damage surrounding brick. Historic Ontario buildings used lime-based mortars that remain flexible and breathable, while modern Portland cement mortars are harder and less permeable—using the wrong type causes accelerated deterioration. Laboratory analysis identifies sand gradation, binder types, and mix proportions, critical information for heritage restoration or when matching existing mortar color and texture. Incompatible mortar is harder than surrounding brick, concentrating stress and causing spalling, or too soft, eroding quickly and requiring frequent repointing. Visual and physical tests help assess mortar condition—sound mortar resists scratching while deteriorated mortar crumbles easily. Fix My Brick performs mortar analysis for historically significant projects and when standard repairs have failed, ensuring restoration mortars perform properly. Proper mortar matching extends repointing life from 5-10 years with wrong materials to 50-75 years with correct formulation.