A Practical Guide to Modern Masonry Restoration

Words: Aric Hutchinson, Architectural Representative for Hohmann & Barnard

THE MYTH: Masonry Lasts Forever
It’s strong, yes, but movement, moisture, and time still
take their toll.

Common Causes Why Masonry Fails:
- Differential movement
- Thermal expansion & contraction
- Moisture intrusion & freeze–thaw
- Corrosion of steel
- Settlement & structural creep

Many older walls rely on gravity instead of mechanical connections, and that’s where problems begin.

THE SOLUTION: Modern Restoration Solutions
Today’s go-to fix is stainless steel helical anchors.

Helical Anchor Uses:
- Re-anchor the separated brick
- Stabilize bulging walls
- Reinforce cracks
- Restore structural load paths

Installed discreetly through mortar joints, they’re perfect for historic buildings.

How Helical Anchors Work
Threaded stainless steel fasteners that cut into mortar, brick, CMU, or concrete to create a strong mechanical bond. Once installed, they transfer load from the masonry veneer back to the structural backup, stabilizing the wall while still allowing
controlled movement to accommodate minor shifts over time.

Where To Use Them
- Multi‐Wythe Brick: Reconnect wythes
- Concrete / CMU: Direct embedment
- Metal Stud: Selective restoration support

Crack Stitching
Helical bars installed in mortar joints bridge cracks and prevent further movement, making them almost invisible after repair.


About: MAP Partner
Laying the Foundation for the Future: Workforce Development at the Arizona Masonry Council
July 2026

For generations, masonry has been built on a simple but powerful principle: knowledge passed from one set of hands to the next. In Arizona, the Arizona Masonry Council (AMC) is working to ensure that tradition continues by investing in one of the industr

Dawn Rogers
Industry News
Read More
What Mason Contractors Don't Know Is Costing Them Money
July 2026

Most mason contractors can tell you exactly what a job should cost before it starts. Bid labor hours, material takeoffs, and crew rates per square foot. The numbers are on paper, and they look right. What most can't tell you is whether those numbers held

Erin Koets
Build Smart
MAP Partner
Read More
Preserving Masonry Aesthetics with Concealed Lintel Systems
July 2026

Masonry has long been valued for its ability to create buildings with character, permanence, and visual appeal. Features such as arches, deep reveals, corbelling, and decorative brickwork continue to be popular design elements in modern architecture. Howe

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
Read More
The Sync Up: Aligning Schedule, Labor, and Logistics in Masonry
July 2026

A masonry contractor is only as good as the crew standing on the staging. You can source the highest-grade block, line up the perfect mix, and have every submittal approved weeks in advance, but production ultimately depends on the stamina, skill, and phy

Shayne Sanders
MAP Partner
Sponsored
Read More