A brick house has so many advantages that it’s, quite possibly, the best type of house. This kind of building can stand next to forever and requires only a little bit of care. It’s also highly energy-efficient and can be a perfect refuge from the elements in any climate. However, while the maintenance it needs is minimal, it’s imperative that you don’t skip it. Because if you neglect bricks, they will develop severe damage that will cost a fortune to repair.
Luckily, the only types of maintenance and care a brick house needs are the following:
Regular Inspection
You need to inspect the entire building, both on the inside and the outside, once every year. During this inspection, pay attention to cracks, and any discolorations on the bricks. Also, you need to check the quality of the mortar joints.
Remember that in the majority of cases, it’s the mortar that gets damaged. It’ll start crumbling long before quality bricks can. But if it does, the entire structure might be compromised.
Another great threat to your brick walls is wines. Any plants that “climb” the walls do so by damaging them severely. If not removed, they will ruin the integrity of bricks. And if that happens, water will get inside them and they will start crumbling from within.
Tuckpointing
Speaking of mortar joints in the brick walls. If they are looking worn down, you can have them fixed. This will not only improve the condition of the building, but also boost its curb appeal. Therefore, if your mortar joints need fixing or if you are planning to sell the home, you should start looking into tuckpointing costs. Those can vary greatly depending on the scale and severity of the damage.
It’s because of this that you need to inspect the house and get any mortar issues dealt right away. The less there is to do, the cheaper it would be for you overall. Also, note that today you can beautify a brick house with the help of tuckpointing. Experienced masons will use different techniques and colors to achieve the result you want.
Regular Cleaning
Brick walls need cleaning like any other surface. However, you can’t simply get them pressure-washed in a day as this technique can’t be used with mortar. Therefore, you’ll need to use some less harsh water spraying solution.
If there are no issues that require special care, you should simply wet the house. Always move from the ground up when doing this. Then, apply the detergent moving in the same direction. You should leave it for 5-10 minutes (follow the product instructions).
Next, use a rotary scrub brush to remove persistent dirt stains. Finally, rinse the entire wall. Use the delicate spray setting only! You have to minimize the damage to the brick, which is currently “disturbed” by the cleanser.
The last step is to apply a specialized brick sealant. You can buy both a detergent and sealant in stores. But be sure to check that they match the exact type of bricks you have.
Cleaning Off Specific Stains
In many cases, north walls in wet climates develop moss, mildew, or even mold. This problem must be dealt with immediately. If you notice this kind of damage to your walls, make a cleansing solution by mixing a cup of bleach into a gallon of water.
Then, use a scrub brush and your new homemade detergent to clean off the growth. Be sure to use a brush with natural or synthetic bristles. Wire brushes might be more efficient, but they also damage the surface of the bricks irreparably.
Also, soak the area in water before using this kind of cleansing solution. A well-soaked brick won’t absorb much bleach.
