Ever since bricks were first used by the ancient Romans to build their shelters, it has been one of the major construction supplies that add beauty and elegance to any structure. Bricks are not just durable and string, but can even be recycled. Brick houses are not just energy efficient but also have a great resale value. However, it requires frequent maintenance to preserve its charm. While you can correct severe damages with the help of professionals, here we have compiled some easy tips that would help you prevent your brick home from damage.
- Clean the exterior of the house regularly. Spraying water on the walls at regular intervals will help you get rid of debris. Keep check on crumbling mortar, moss, mold and mildew on the walls. To remove the moss and mold from the walls, mix of one cup of bleach in one-gallon water and scrub the walls with this mixture with a synthetic brush. Prior to scrubbing, soak the wall with water hose. If the damage persists, use a concentrated scrub or contact local brick supplier straight away in order to prevent any further damage.
- Check if there are any weep holes while cleaning the walls. Weep holes are small holes that allow water and moisture enter the walls. You should clean these holes properly to prevent moisture and water logging inside the walls. Moisture build up can be destructive for the walls.
- Efflorescence or appearance of a whitish layer on the walls indicates the accumulation of water under the walls. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind a white layer formed out of salts present in the water. You can clean the salt crystals with the help of a strong brush or by spraying water followed by scrubbing. While spraying water, be careful to spray it from an angle, as direct spraying tends to push the salt crystals inwards and the problem remains persistent.
- If you have plants like Ivy and other types of vine in your home garden, they despite adding greenery and beauty to your home can be harmful for the bricks. In order to fight back this problem, you should cut any such vines climbing on the wall and let them grow at a distance from the wall. However, do not pull the plants as it might further aggravate the damage.
- To prevent damage from spreading all around the house, you must repair the damaged sections of the house as soon as possible. For this, you may have to remove damaged bricks. You must do this by chipping and chiseling the mortar surrounding the brick, followed by damping its opening with water or any bonding agent. Then apply new mortar to the bottom of the opening. Then place a fresh brick on the opening and apply mortar on all sides, and finally to the top and give it a finishing touch by running your finger forming a cavity on the newly spread mortar. Clean away any leftover residue to make the repair appear neat and clean. You can apply the same process for changing damaged mortar. Clean away the residue with an acid wash. This makes the mortar dissolve, while keeping the bricks intact.
Summary:
Bricks are an ideal choice to build your home, as they are easy to maintain and are extremely durable. All it takes is a thoughtful maintenance and cleaning to add a new life to your house. These useful ideas will surely help you check the wear and tear of your brick house and make it bounce back to life.
