An atmospheric brick wall is a unique element that we want to keep in good condition. However, brick requires adequate care in order to preserve the appearance of the building and its value. Cleaning, repairing and impregnation should be carried out regularly in order to ensure the durability and aesthetics of the brickwork. How to care for a brick wall so that it can serve us for years?
When Should You Clean Your Brick Wall?
Brick walls can quickly lose their beautiful appearance due to dirt and/or damaging impacts (air pollutants, rain, frost, dust, soot, etc.). The most common causes of masonry damage are mineral contamination (e.g. salt efflorescence, verdigris or corrosion) or pollution from external influences (e.g. graffiti, moss, algae or bird droppings). Depending on the type of pollution, various cleaning methods can be used to periodically remove the foulants that accumulate on the surface. However, in order not to substantially damage the brick facade, you should consider hiring a professional company masonry contractor that is equipped to handle such a task, as many cleaning processes may damage the building’s surface and have undesirable side effects. Chemical cleaning with acidic cleaning agents can cause discoloration, and the product can soak into the brickwork, weaken the mortar and cause it to become flaky and crumbly. If you want to maintain the beauty and aesthetics of your brick facade, it should be regularly checked for damage, repaired and professionally cleaned.
Cleaning Brickwork
The first step in improving the condition of the brick will be to thoroughly wash it with a pressure washer. We do not want to damage the structure itself, but the water jet should penetrate the surface thoroughly and strongly, without damaging the mortar. A wet brick will be easier for further processing, that is, scrubbing. This can be done by hand with a bristle brush – unfortunately, it’s quite a laborious and time-consuming job. If the brick is in good condition, you can use a polishing wire mat and a drill, which will significantly speed up the work. Sandblasting is definitely the fastest, most effective, but also the most expensive method. You may want to call a professional company to do this since it requires specialized equipment. So call Casey Tuckpointing and we can discuss how we can help you!
Many people think that brick, clinker and stone are all the same. Unfortunately, this is not true and every type of material has specific properties and susceptibility to certain substances. The stone used should therefore also be cleaned using the appropriate method in order not to destroy the existing protective layer and insulation properties. As professionals with many years of experience in masonry and brickwork services, we are very familiar with all existing stone building materials and ensure that the work is conducted as efficiently as possible.
Replacing Brick
If during all the cleaning processes there were some defects in the mortar, now will be the only opportunity to fill them up. Before use, it is worth assessing the color compatibility on a sample piece, so that the patched holes are not too visible.
Tuck pointing can be also done on an entire surface. Usually, a brick wall is quite sturdy and durable. But here, too, there can be signs of aging and damage from external sources. The most common types of damage we encounter are defective joints, holes, cracks and damaged bricks. If individual bricks are damaged, we will exchange them and replace them with new ones. This work seems simple, but should definitely be done by an expert masonry contractor, otherwise, the load-bearing capacity of the wall can be affected. If too many bricks are damaged or destroyed, it makes sense in individual cases to rebuild the entire brickwork. We also take care of this as part of our masonry services.
Tuck Pointing Brick
Tuck pointing is a specific construction technique for filling joints in masonry, where the damaged mortar is removed, and it is replaced with fresh mortar. Stone joint mortar is resistant to low temperatures and moisture is characterized by flexibility and high penetration capacity. It fills the entire cavity, leaving no voids that negatively affect the condition of the stone. Such a mortar, even after complete drying, retains certain flexibility, which protects the material from damage at low temperatures. It is water and frost resistant, durable and long-lasting. It does not lose color when exposed to sunlight and is resistant to shrinkage.
If necessary, the material is colored by adding a color concentrator to it or by mixing multi-colored compositions together. Designers recommend choosing a grout of several shades that differ from the color of the stone. In this case, it discreetly emphasizes the natural beauty of the background, making it stand out and giving it an identity of its own.
Impregnation
The washed, cleaned, repaired and tuckpointed surface should be protected with hydrophobic impregnations. There are plenty of products on the market that protect against moisture and weather conditions and are suitable for the porous structure of brick. Before deciding on a specific product, it is worth checking how it works on a piece of less exposed wall, which will give us an idea of the final effect. If the wall is an element of interior design, remember not to use strong and toxic impregnants.
Casey Tuckpointing: Chicago Masonry Contractors
Are you looking for expert masonry contractors in Chicago who will take care of all your masonry needs? At Casey Tuckpointing we provide a whole range of services: brick and stone cleaning, brick repair and replacement, window caulking, waterproofing roofs, walls and balconies, tuckpointing, and a whole lot more!
When choosing us you have a full-service team by your side.
Call us today and tell us about your needs. We’ll prepare an individual offer and cost estimation for your project.
At Casey Tuckpointing we are accurate, word hard and fast. We have experience, we are creative, and we have the equipment that is necessary to carry out all of our services. Don’t hesitate and give us a call, we can’t wait to talk to you!
