Hinsdale’s signature brick homes may be elegant anchors of architectural history, but they also conceal an all-too-common trouble that plagues many homeowners on a daily basis. Sadly, the very historic character that makes these buildings so attractive in DuPage County can also lead to some unique challenges when aging mortar and brick cracks open wide and become the perfect superhighway for unwelcome guests.
All of these little gaps become huge avenues for ants and spiders looking for shelter, food, and places to breed in your home. Illinois weather gives us extremes, and natural settling of the building creates a perfect room to allow pests to pillage through the exterior wall that loses its integrity. Professional pest control specialists such as pointepestcontrol.net can identify and fix these entry points before small cracks become a big problem.
Why Cracks In Hinsdale’s Historic Brick Homes Invite Ants and Spiders?
1. Weather-Related Expansion and Contraction
Brick and mortar is under a lot of strain from the climate in Hinsdale. Increasing cycles of summer highs of 85°F to winter lows of 15°F expand and contract the materials, leading to hairline fractures that increasingly propagate.
2. Age-Related Mortar Deterioration
After years of exposure, the old lime-based mortar found in many of Hinsdale’s historic homes becomes brittle. This mortar is much older and crumbles more easily than the more modern alternatives, creating gaps that pests can exploit.
3. Foundation Settlement Issues
In DuPage, clay-rich soil expands and shrinks with moisture changes, nudging foundations, cracking brick with new ones, and opening old ones.
4. Moisture Damage from Illinois Precipitation
Hinsdale has around 38 inches of rain a year, and water seepage through tiny cracks speeds decay and also creates a moist atmosphere that entices bugs.
5. Poor Previous Repair Work
Most historic homes have had multiple fixes done over time. The wrong mortar type and improper sealing techniques often fail, creating new infection points for pests.
6. Natural Settling of Century-Old Structures
Houses built in the early 1900s began to settle and twist and shift, giving avenues for looks to enter between courses of brick and around window frames.
Tips to Seal Cracks Perfectly To Avoid Ants & Spiders
- Clean thoroughly before sealing
- Seal in good weather
- Focus on common problem areas first
- Two-step process for larger gaps
When Professional Help Becomes Very Important
Hinsdale homeowners can save time and money when they realize that not all crack repair is meant to be done by themselves. Cracks over a quarter-inch wide, cracks that come back after being filled, and many cracks appearing at once are signs of structural or moisture conditions that need to be evaluated by a professional. Sure, someone might be able to spend a week bringing DIY methods to work.
Still, professional pest control companies such as Pointe Pest Control have specialized and local knowledge about the behavior patterns of ants and spiders that most homeowners cannot identify. By focusing on short-term pest control needs alongside long-term preventative measures based on specific historic brick construction practices seen in many Hinsdale neighborhoods.
Prevention and Preservation for Hinsdale Homeowners
- Exterior inspections – At the start of every spring, walk around your property to note any new cracks, crumbling mortar, or entry points for pests before they become expensive repairs.
- Good drainage – Gutters, downspouts, and grading should direct water away from brick walls to protect them from deteriorating from moisture and prevent damp conditions that attract pests.
- Cut back vegetation around outside walls – There should be at least 18 inches between contrary surfaces and trees or shrubs whose branches or trunks could touch them. Climbing plants like ivy are the worst offenders here.
- Humidity control indoors – Use dehumidifiers to keep humidity between 30% and 50% to reduce conditions where pests seeking moisture may be drawn in and to prevent condensation that can be harmful to mortar from the inside.
- Log and take photos of changes over time – Use a visual history of your home to show how cracks are developing over time, which is helpful for professionals performing inspections or treatments to identify root causes.