Care and Maintenance Of Bricks
Proper care and maintenance of your bricks is important in order to keep your home or business looking bright and beautiful. At Tascosa Brick in Amarillo, we have everything you need to ensure your brick structures are in their best condition.
What should you look for when inspecting bricks for signs of damage?
When inspecting your bricks, be sure to look at the weep holes near the bottom of the brick structure. These openings should be small in size and clear of debris and dirt. If the weep holes become clogged, moisture cannot drain properly.
It is also important to look for efflorescence on your bricks, which is a salty substance that builds up on the surface. The substance, which looks chalky, can be cleaned by using a brush or chemical cleaner, if necessary.
If there is heavy vegetation growing near your brick siding, it can start to leave a stain. There are certain types of bleach or fungi cleaning solutions that you can apply to remove unwanted vegetation on your bricks. Using a stiff-bristled brush to remove any growth will greatly enhance the appearance of your brick.
Care and maintenance of brick also includes inspecting the mortar that holds the building material together. Before maintaining the mortar, be sure the bricks are clean. Check for crumbling mortar and remove any broken pieces with a chisel. Replace the mortar with new mix and be sure to replace any bricks that have been damaged during this stage of maintenance.
What can cause damage to bricks?
Water, moss, and mold can damage bricks. Damage caused by these threats typically occurs in areas with little sunshine. Mold and moss are also more likely to occur in damp areas, which makes brick care and maintenance even more important in these locations.
Damage from water sprinklers can fade the color of brick and even cause deterioration over time. This deterioration is due to the freezing and thawing. The bricks will get wet and can freeze with cold weather. This will cause expansion within the mortar which causes voids in mortar joint. Always try to keep moisture from sprinkler systems off your brick surface. Cleaning the outside of your home once a year can help prevent water, mold, and moss damage. Applying certain cleaners to your bricks will also help keep water and dirt from damaging the exterior of your home or business.
How can you ensure that bricks stay protected?
There are several steps you can take to ensure your bricks stay protected. You can use a mild detergent and brush to scrub the building material clean or use a pressure washer. However, using a pressure washer might do more harm than good. Too much pressure could cause the brick to chip or even fade from the constant pounding of water.
There are different cleaners you can purchase to clean your bricks, including those with a silane base. These cleaners protect your brick from dirt and vegetation as well, making them a great option in dry and damp locations.
Looking for care and maintenance supplies for bricks?
Being aware of the condition of your bricks, and being proactive in their care and maintenance, will increase their longevity and enhance their appearance. Tascosa Brick in Amarillo offers everything you need for care and maintenance of your bricks. Our manufacturers for care and maintenance supplies include the Prosoco product line.
For more information about our masonry products, give us a call today at (806) 374-1481
or Contact Us
by email. You can even visit us at our showroom at 311 N. Tyler St. in Amarillo, Texas. We look forward to working with you.