Does anyone know why the Bricks on the out side of my home are falling off/?
Answers:
You are experiencing the effects of the "freeze/thaw" cycle. Water, especially where it lays on brick sills, is absorbed in the mortar and/or brick. Freezing temperatures cause the water to freeze, expand, and pop out the mortar and sometimes parts of the brick. The chimney of a frequently used fireplace is especially prone to this type of damage because the freeze/thaw cycle is repeated far more frequently than anywhere else on the house. My guess is that the problem area on your garage is on a south facing wall since that area also experiences an accelerated freeze/thaw cycle due to the sun warming the wall during the day followed by refreezing at night.
Before the problem can be remedied, the damaged brick and mortar must be fixed. The best remedy is to hire a brick mason to replace the damaged bricks and repoint the damaged mortar. Many "semi-retired" bricklayers covet these types of jobs. A call to a local brick supply company (look in the yellow pages) can usually result in several the phone numbers of several bricklayers who do this type of work.
Once the repairs have been made, you need to "seal the brick" in order to prevent further damage. Like a wooden deck, brick can be sealed to minimize the absorption of water. Several commercial brick sealing products are widely available. Again, check with your local brick supplier. These products are usually sprayed on with a garden type sprayer and do a reasonable job. Some types of brick are very water absorbant and may require a couple of applications. Your brick mason can advise. I would apply the sealer to the affected areas every Fall. Make sure the areas are completely dry before application.
Good luck with your repairs.
Other answers:
The mortar is breaking down. It was probably too dry when it was mixed when the house was built. Luckily, it is easy to fix. Hire a contractor with experience in brickwork. Make sure you ask for references.
The mortar is breaking down. It was probably too dry when it was mixed when the house was built. Luckily, it is easy to fix. Hire a contractor with experience in brickwork. Make sure you ask for references.
Cause the big bad wolf is in the neighborhood