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Brick Basics
Brick happens to be a very durable, beautiful
building material that requires low maintenance and brings
energy efficiency and lastly appeal to your home. In order
to protect the appearance and longevity of your brick, you
will need to periodically inspect your brick and occasionally
clean its surface.
During periodic inspections, it is important
to check for signs of moisture and other damage. Start off
by searching for excessive plant growth. Cut down all the
plants, such as poison ivy, that are close to the surface
of your brick. Also, look for weep holes. Weep holes are
small holes at the bottom of the brickwork that allow moisture
to drain out of the wall. It is important to clean them
out if they are clogged.
Brick will also fall victim to efflorescence,
a white, salty deposit on the brick surface. This is a sign
a water penetration. It is important for you to clean this
off with a brush and water. If hard deposits are left, you
may need to use a chemical cleaner. Power washing is advised
against.
In addition, you may also notice chipping
mortar and loose/broken bricks. Mortar can be easily "repointed"
and bricks can be replaced. Repointing requires you to remove
the damaged mortar very carefully, without damaging the
surrounding brickwork. You will then apply layers of fresh
mortar in its place. However, make sure that when repairing
a wall, you choose bricks and mortar that are similar to
the existing products.
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