FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction ↗

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
 0
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction
February 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America is thrilled to announce the 2026 Annual Online Auction, the masonry industry’s premier event for scoring the best equipment at a fraction of costs. Whether you are looking to expand your equipment stockpile or

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More
CMU Partitions: How Much Reinforcement Is Actually Required?
February 2026

Walk onto almost any job site and you’ll find masons laying out interior partitions much the same way they did decades ago. The work looks straightforward: stack the units, strike clean joints, and keep the wall plumb. And the function of these partitions

Technical Talks
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 37 Recap: Starling Johnson, VP of Sales at STALITE Lightweight Aggregate
February 2026

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Starling Johnson joins the set in Indianapolis to talk about her path within masonry, sales in this industry, and life outside of work.

Justin Stengel
The MASONRY STRONG Podcast
Read More
Masonry Restoration: Why Walls Fail and How We Fix Them
February 2026

Masonry doesn’t crack. Old brick never has issues. Every masonry wall lasts 100 years or more… right? If only that were true. Masonry is one of the most durable building materials ever used, but like all construction, it responds to time, movement, mo

MAP Partner
Read More