Injection procedures were developed to preserve the attractive and desirable outward appearance of the building. A small, mobile crew minimizes intervention by injecting grout through small-diameter holes drilled in mortar joints. Quality control is maintained through standardized tests and nondestructive evaluations conducted by engineering support personnel. Damage in the form of cracks, deterioration, and partial collapse are common and, whether or not the damage is significant in terms of building performance, cause a good deal of distress to occupants. Grout injection techniques can halt the spread of cracks and increase building service life by restoring structural integrity.
Cracks provide easy pathways for moisture to travel into walls.
Left unchecked, moisture penetrating into masonry will cause staining and often leads to further damage and deterioration. Grout injected into inactive cracks will not only block the moisture path but also restore material continuity across the crack. Grout injection provides a means to stabilize failing veneer by bonding brick and stone to its backup. The technique is a cost-effective alternative to reconstruction. Severely damaged masonry can be stabilized and consolidated by injecting specially formulated grouts into fine cracks and fissures.