Posts by Jake Barnhart

Have you ever noticed a chalky white powder on the walls of your building? No, it’s nothing nefarious. You’re seeing efflorescence, an issue that is common with any type of masonry. This substance is the result of moisture reacting with minerals in the masonry. Moisture moves through the porous masonry and leaves deposits on the…

When we talk about the damage that water can do to your building, rust jacking is the most severe outcome in regard to steel reinforced structures. Rust jacking is what happens when a little water problem becomes an urgent structural problem that you cannot ignore. In this post, we’re going to talk about what rust…

Worn or damaged joints are a problem for any masonry structure, from the modern EIFS façade to the brick walls of a historic townhouse. If left unrepaired, cracked mortar will lead to more severe damage that ends up costing more to repair down the line. The mechanics of mortar deterioration During spring, the walls of…

Every day, millions of Americans walk to their cars past signs of decaying concrete in the parking structures that they use. For building owners, these wounds are a sign that it may be time to make repairs. Parking garages are subject to a variety of stresses that wear on concrete over time. Along with seismic…

Did you know that in 1911, Oklahoma experienced record high and low temperatures in the same day? That was the Great Blue Norther of November 11, and today our state continues to experience massive temperature swings. Oklahoma typically experiences 40- to 50-degree temperature swings between seasons. In our industry we talk about thermocycles, which occur…

We often get calls from building owners or managers when the masonry veneer of their building has become cracked or is crumbling. That poses a structural risk to the rest of the masonry, as I’ll explain. But it’s also unsightly and usually unacceptable to any building occupant. This is particularly problematic with retail and food…

A very common issue with commercial buildings is water infiltration and deterioration of structural elements below ground. Unlike damage to masonry veneers, problems below the ground aren’t easily spotted in their early stages. Even a small leak can be indicative of a much larger structural or moisture related issue. Any damage to the foundation or…

To the untrained eye, not much seems to change about the office buildings, medical buildings or parking garages that we see around us every day. Look closer and you’ll see that, over the years, all types of architectural surfaces become fatigued, deteriorated, and stained simply by being exposed to the elements of weather. That’s where…