Masonry crack repair 1

[WARose]

I have a client who wants some (hair thin) cracks addressed in some non-load bearing (CMU) masonry. There is no structural issue....it just looks bad.

I am unsure what to issue for this. Anybody have a good detail or idea? (Maybe something that can be handled with a note?)

I went through some old threads....but really didn't find what I was looking for.

 

[jayrod12]

Often I find repaired cracks look more obvious in concrete and masonry than the cracks did prior to repair.

 

[dik]

Concur jayrod... often look far worse.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[ChorasDen]

Agree with jayrod, hard to penetrate the cracks, and any epoxy or sealant just sticks out like a sore thumb.

Try painting the CMU. Couple layers should cover it up.

 

[WARose]

Agreed jayrod. But they aren't seeing it my way.

 

[jayrod12]

Haha. Yeah, unfortunately that's the case sometimes. They'll regret it later. As long as you have it in writing somewhere that you said essentially that, and they still would like to proceed with filling the cracks, then so be it. They'll regret it after, but that's a them problem. Since non structural, could they not just put grey caulking?

 

[WARose]

Caulking is not a bad idea.

 

[Enhineyero]

I found a revolutionary solution using posters, paintings, and pictures for this. You will turn your boring "cracked" wall into a piece of art.

 

[dik]

You can always fill the cracks and paint it.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[epoxybot]

Just tell them to wait an efflorescence will fill the gap.

If water intrusion is their main concern, then have the masonry treated with a polysilane or Sinak for masonry.

 

[kingnero]

I'm not sure of the terminology in English, but here's what I did to my previous house:
Grinding out the grout lines about 1" 1/2 deep, and regrouting the entire wall. Finishing with a wet brush with stiff "hairs" before the grout is fully cured. It leaves the hairline cracks in the bricks, but you'd only notice them if you knew they were there. And the course surface of the grout lines take away the attention of the small cracks.
Fair bit of work, but the wall looks like new afterwards.