Masonry contractors glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a masonry contractor provider in Connecticut.

What are weep holes?: Small openings spaced along the bottom course of a brick veneer that permit water trapped behind the wall to drain outward.
What is a brick bond pattern?: A brick bond pattern is the specific arrangement and overlap of bricks in a masonry wall, designed to distribute weight evenly and provide structural strength and visual consistency.
What is a chimney cap?: A chimney cap is a metal protective covering installed over the flue opening at the top of a chimney to block water, leaves, pests, and other debris from entering the flue.
What is a chimney crown?: A chimney crown is a concrete or mortar cap installed at the top of a chimney to shed water and protect the flue opening and surrounding brickwork from moisture damage.
What is a chimney liner?: A chimney liner is a protective tube or coating placed inside a flue to safely direct combustion gases and smoke to the outside and protect the chimney structure from heat and corrosion.
What is a control joint?: A control joint is a planned cut or gap in concrete designed to direct shrinkage cracks into predetermined locations and allow controlled movement as the material cures and expands or contracts with temperature changes.
What is a corbel?: A corbel is a stepped, projecting course of brick or stone that juts outward from a wall to support an overhanging element like a ledge, cornice, or chimney shoulder.
What is a flue?: A flue is the internal passage or duct inside a chimney through which smoke, gases, and heat from a fireplace, furnace, or water heater travel upward and out of the home.
What is a lintel?: A horizontal beam of steel or reinforced concrete that spans across an opening in a masonry wall and supports the weight of the structure above it.
What is a mortar joint profile?: A mortar joint profile is the finished shape of grout lines between masonry units, created by tooling the mortar while it sets, which determines water drainage and visual character.
What is a soldier course?: A horizontal row of bricks set vertically on their end (facing) in masonry work, typically used as decorative or structural emphasis at wall openings and tops.
What is ashlar masonry?: Ashlar masonry is stonework made from finely dressed, square or rectangular blocks laid in uniform horizontal courses, creating a flat, finished wall surface.
What is brick veneer?: Brick veneer is a single layer of brick attached to a wood or steel structural frame that provides appearance and weather protection but does not carry building loads.
What is chimney flashing?: Metal flashing and counter-flashing installed at the chimney-to-roof joint to prevent water penetration into the structure.
What is efflorescence?: Efflorescence is a white, chalky mineral deposit that appears on masonry surfaces when salt-laden moisture reaches the surface and evaporates.
What is freeze-thaw damage?: Freeze-thaw damage occurs when water trapped inside porous masonry or concrete expands as it freezes, causing internal pressure that cracks and spalls the material surface over repeated winter cycles.
What is frost heave?: Frost heave is the lifting and movement of soil caused by ice formation in frozen ground, which pushes up and cracks slabs, foundations, and other structures built above the frost line.
What is frost line depth?: Frost line depth is the vertical distance soil freezes into the ground during winter, measured from the surface; Connecticut building code mandates that all structural footings be set below this depth to prevent frost heave.
What is lime mortar?: Lime mortar is a binding mixture made from lime and sand, softer and more flexible than modern Portland cement mortar, used primarily in historic brick and stone structures.
What is parging?: Parging is a thin layer of cement or mortar spread over the interior or exterior of masonry surfaces like chimney flues and foundation walls to seal, smooth, and protect them.
What is repointing?: Repointing is the process of removing deteriorated mortar from between bricks or stone and replacing it with new mortar to restore the joint and weathertightness of masonry.
What is rubble stone masonry?: Rubble stone masonry is construction using uncut or roughly shaped fieldstone laid with mortar, typically found in older Connecticut foundations and walls.
What is spalling in masonry?: Spalling is the flaking, chipping, or breaking away of masonry units or surface material caused by moisture infiltration and repeated freeze-thaw cycles that create internal pressure.
What is Type N vs Type S mortar?: Type N and Type S are ASTM mortar classifications ranked by compressive strength, with N suited for general work and S for load-bearing walls requiring greater durability.