If you’ve noticed your brick starting to flake, chip, or crumble, you’re not alone. Many Toronto homeowners eventually face this issue, especially with older homes that have been through years of harsh weather.
Crumbling brick isn’t just a cosmetic problem — it’s a sign that your masonry needs attention before the damage spreads.

In this post, we’ll explain why brick deteriorates, what you can do to repair it, and how to prevent it from happening again.

🧩 Understanding Why Brick Starts to Crumble

Brick is one of the most durable building materials ever made — when it’s installed and maintained correctly, it can last over 100 years.
However, even the strongest brick can begin to weaken over time if it’s constantly exposed to moisture, freeze–thaw cycles, and poor drainage.

In Toronto, where winters are long and temperatures can fluctuate dramatically, brick faces a lot of stress. Water seeps into the small pores of the brick, freezes, expands, and then contracts when it thaws. This repeated movement causes the surface of the brick to spall (flake off), eventually leading to visible crumbling.

If left untreated, the damage can worsen and even affect the structural integrity of the wall, porch, or foundation.

💧 Common Causes of Crumbling Brick

1. Water Penetration

Moisture is the number one enemy of brickwork. When rain or melted snow gets behind the surface, it weakens the bond between the brick and the mortar. Over time, this trapped moisture expands and causes the brick face to pop or crumble.

2. Freeze–Thaw Cycles (Toronto Weather)

Toronto’s winters make this problem worse. As temperatures go above and below freezing, the water inside the brick expands and contracts repeatedly, creating tiny fractures that eventually lead to visible damage.

3. Poor Drainage or Grading

If water pools near your foundation or porch, it’s only a matter of time before it begins to affect the brick. Water that isn’t properly redirected away from the house will penetrate and weaken lower courses of brickwork.

4. Damaged or Missing Mortar Joints

Mortar acts as the protective glue between bricks. Once it starts deteriorating, water can easily find its way behind the wall. Over time, this causes both the brick and the mortar to crumble. Regular tuckpointing or repointing helps prevent this issue.

5. Low-Quality Brick or Incorrect Coating

Not all brick is made for exterior exposure. Softer brick, often found in older homes, can absorb too much moisture. Painting or sealing brick with the wrong product can trap moisture inside, accelerating deterioration.

🧱 How to Fix Crumbling Brick

Repairing brick properly requires experience, the right materials, and an understanding of how masonry systems work — especially in a climate like Toronto’s.
Here’s how professionals typically approach crumbling brick repair:

1. Inspect and Replace Damaged Bricks

A qualified mason will inspect the wall to identify which bricks are too damaged to save. These bricks are carefully removed and replaced with matching materials that blend with the original wall.

If you notice a few bricks flaking near your porch or foundation, it’s best to fix them early. The longer you wait, the more surrounding bricks may weaken.

2. Repoint or Tuckpoint the Mortar Joints

Crumbling brick often comes with deteriorated mortar. Repointing (or tuckpointing) involves grinding out the old, loose mortar and replacing it with a fresh mix that seals the wall again.
This step is essential for protecting your masonry from further water penetration.

At Terrace Aluminum Railings & Masonry, we use high-quality mortar designed to match the strength and color of your existing brickwork. A proper tuckpointing job doesn’t just restore the look of your wall — it strengthens it for decades.

3. Apply Parging or Brick Sealer (When Needed)

If the damaged area is near the foundation, parging is often applied to create a smooth, protective layer over the block or brick surface. This helps prevent moisture from entering and gives the base of the home a clean finish.

A breathable masonry sealer can also be used on certain surfaces, especially in high-moisture areas. However, sealing must be done carefully — using the wrong product can trap moisture and make the problem worse.

4. Improve Drainage Around the House

Once the wall is repaired, it’s important to make sure water can’t cause the same problem again. This may include regrading the area, extending downspouts, or improving the slope of your concrete slabs or porch so water flows away from the house.

🏠 Preventing Brick Damage in the Future

A little maintenance goes a long way when it comes to masonry. Here are a few steps to help protect your brickwork:

• Keep gutters and downspouts clean to avoid water running down the walls.
• Avoid pressure washing brick surfaces — it can force water into the pores.
• Inspect mortar joints every few years and schedule tuckpointing every 5–7 years if needed.
• Don’t paint exterior brick unless the product is vapor-permeable and designed for masonry.
• Fix cracks or chips early, especially before winter, to stop freeze–thaw damage.

By keeping up with small repairs, you can prevent expensive restoration work down the road.

👷‍♂️ When to Call a Masonry Professional

If you notice that your brick is crumbling, your mortar is falling out, or your foundation walls are showing signs of spalling, it’s best to call a professional masonry contractor.
DIY fixes like patching or painting over the problem usually don’t last — the damage will continue underneath.

At Terrace Aluminum Railings & Masonry, we specialize in:

• Brick repair and restoration
• Tuckpointing and repointing
• Foundation parging and waterproofing
• Porch and step reconstruction
• Masonry wall rebuilding and leveling

With over 20 years of experience in Toronto and the GTA, we know how to handle the effects of the local climate on masonry. Our team takes the time to assess the cause of the damage, not just the visible symptoms, so your repair lasts for decades — not just a few years.

🧱 Real-World Example

Recently, we worked on a home in East Toronto where the front porch bricks had started crumbling along the bottom course. Water from the roof had been dripping directly onto the steps for years, soaking the brick and mortar.

We removed the damaged bricks, replaced them with new ones, repointed all surrounding mortar joints, and added proper slope and drainage. The result? A solid, beautiful porch that’s ready to handle another 20 Canadian winters.

✅ Conclusion

Crumbling brick is more than just an eyesore — it’s your home’s way of telling you that moisture is getting in.
By addressing the root cause and performing proper brick repair and tuckpointing, you can protect your home’s structure and restore its original beauty.

If you’re in Toronto or the GTA and your brickwork is starting to show signs of wear, reach out to Terrace Aluminum Railings & Masonry.
We’ll assess the damage, explain your options clearly, and make sure your brick is restored the right way — strong, smooth, and built to last.