Brick separating from wall?

[Kingmatthew84]

Hey everyone, I was planning on building a mantle and doing some renovations around my fireplace and I’ve noticed for awhile that the mortar (I think) used to secure the bricks is separating from the wall and a thin plastic like sheet is showing from behind.

should I be sealing this with anything special and or worried about it? It seems minor but I’m a perfectionist.

 

[mark cline]

What you are seeing is separation due to shrinkage from the lower humidity in the winter. You probably started to see this about 2 months ago, when Spring rolls around and the humidity increases, the cracks will close again. As far as what can be done now, the only solution would be to increase the humidity level and keep the level as high as possible.

 

[spudman99]

Normal. Different materials shrink or expand at different rates. No need to worry, the mortar between the bricks is structural and looks good. Go get at your mantle project.

 

[bholler]

Like others said it is probably perfectly fine. Just watch it and see if it gets worse. I doubt it will