Tips to Maintain Brick Masonry
Did you know? Beautiful brick exteriors can deteriorate with time. If you possess an old brick structure, you must maintain it because neglecting maintenance and repair can cause bricks to become damaged or crumble. Your brick building may be in danger if you do not maintain it properly.
So here are the top 7 suggestions that will help you maintain and restore your brick structure.
1. Do a routine walkthrough of your Brickwork
Checking your brickwork at least once a year is essential. Keeping an eye on the condition of the brick will allow you to determine when repairs are necessary. Moreover, regular maintenance, such as cleaning, is preferable to extensive repair. A few times a year, you can use a garden hose to clean the brick. This will prevent the accumulation of dirt over time. Excessive grime on bricks might result in problems such as mold growth.
2. Repointing an Old Brick Structure
If during your annual inspections you see that the mortar between the bricks is eroding, you should repoint the mortar. Remove the damaged mortar with care. You do not want to damage the surrounding bricks or the good mortar surrounding the mortar that needs to be repointed.
Carefully scrape away the mortar. Remove mortar to a depth equal to twice its width. If only the surface of the joint or brick is mortared, it will fall away. Apply the mortar in successive layers. This will guarantee the mortar is robust and durable.
The most difficult aspect of old brick structures is matching the mortar. You may wish to have a contractor evaluate it for you in order to match it. A contractor will crush and dissolve a small sample of the mortar to determine its composition.
3. Handling Water Damage
Eventually, precipitation and groundwater will ruin masonry. Yet there are few ways to prevent water damage. Each year, pay particular attention to water damage when inspecting your brickwork. Occasionally, you will need to repoint mortar that has been eroded by water. Alternatively, if bricks become stained, you will need to clean them.
If the mortar is not regularly repaired, water will seep between the bricks, freeze, and expand. This could result in bricks that are cracked and shattered. You will then be required to replace the bricks, which is more difficult and expensive than mortar repointing.
4. Eliminating Mold, Mildew, and Moss
If you discover mold, mildew, or moss on your bricks, you should remove it immediately. If these items are left on the brick, they will eventually cause damage. It will then be necessary to replace the bricks.
Using a bleach-water solution to remove moss, mold, or mildew is the simplest method for eradication. Combine one cup of chlorine bleach with one gallon of water. Soak the brick in plain water, then use a soft, non-wire brush to gently scrub the brick with the bleach solution.
5. Scrubbing Down an Old Brick Structure
Old brick buildings that have been painted in the past and now need to have that paint stripped away will require the assistance of a specialist. The brick will not readily release its paint. A chemical solution will be used to remove it with special assistance from a professional.
Don’t sandblast the brick yourself; it won’t work. Also, don’t use a high-pressure cleaner. Using such methods will inevitably lead to cracks in the brickwork beneath.
6. Replace Broken Bricks with New Ones
If you check the bricks and find that they are damaged, you will need to replace them. It is important to inspect the bricks for any signs of damage, such as cracks or crumbling.
One can repair bricks in a variety of methods. One solution is to remove the brick, flip it, and repoint the mortar to make it watertight again. A brick that is deteriorating but not cracked can be repaired in this way.
A broken or fractured brick requires removal and replacement. It can be difficult to find bricks that are an exact match for your existing brick construction. Don’t use rescued bricks as replacements because they can be damaged as well.
You might have noticed that bricklaying is a laborious and technical trade. Consult a competent contractor if you have any doubts about your capacity to complete this. Find someone who has worked on historic brick structures before.
7. Hire a Professional for Maintaining Your Building
Construction methods used in the past often resulted in brick buildings that bulged and warped. It’s time to call in the experts if you’ve noticed that your home’s walls are bulging or twisted.
New York Brick Pointing experts are pros at repairing bowing brick walls. The process is complex, so it’s best to hire an expert if you have no idea what you’re doing. The wall’s structural integrity is already compromised by the bulge, and you can make it worse.
Keep That Old Brick Building Looking Gorgeous!
Checking your historic brick structure at least once a year will ensure that it remains sturdy and beautiful for years to come. If you keep a close check on it, you can address any problems before they escalate into costly catastrophes.
You can keep your brickwork looking great for many years with professional help from NYBP. With 20 years of experience in the field, we have shown our mettle to clients throughout New York and have beautifully maintained their masonries.