We’re all familiar with the parable of the three little pigs were saved from the big bad wolf by sheltering in a sturdy brick house. It’s a pretty accurate story, brick provides a sturdy foundation and excellent protection for your home against the elements, but brick still needs to be maintained and protected.
Despite the durability and longevity of brickworks, without occasional maintenance, you’ll find that your bricks begin to lose their original finish, start to crack, and even take on mold or mildew. All of these things threaten the fortitude of your brick walls and weaken your house’s curb appeal. Keep your bricks strong and stunning with these simple tips for maintaining your home’s brickwork.
Like any other surface, brickworks are susceptible to build-up dirt and mildew. In addition to making the home look dirty, grime can warp the bricks themselves. If left uncleaned or treated for extended periods of time, the original color of the bricks will begin to fade. The brickwork will also begin to erode due to exposure to foreign materials. Mold can develop which will add additional expense to repairs needed to secure the brickworks. The first step in avoiding all this grief is to simply clean the brickwork.
Using a simple hose is good for a general cleaning, but a truly thorough brick cleaning should be done with a pressure washer. The pressure wash will help remove grime build-up in the smallest cracks and dirt that has become tightly affixed to the front of the bricks.
Check for Water Damage
While water is a great source for cleaning your brick home, too much could lead to water damage setting into the brickwork. Water damage is also quite prevalent in the winter season when low temperatures lead to freezing water expanding throughout the brick walls and into the cracks. This will lead to weakening brick walls and even leaks to the inner wall. Before water damage becomes an issue, be sure to frequently check for the signs.
You’ll be able to identify water damage simply by observing the amount of wear and tear on the bricks. If your brickwork seems to be breaking apart (which is called spalling) or showing significant gaps, this indicates accelerated water damage and should be addressed as soon as possible. To help prevent some of this water damage, sealing can be applied to the gaps between the bricks and the edges. Tuckpointing is another great way to prevent and repair major water damage. This is done by placing mortar in key points to add stability and protection.
Seek Professional Help
While you could buy a pressure washer and clean your brickwork yourself, this can prove difficult and can result in damage to your home if not done skillfully. Why not take a break, and let our team at Peak Powerwash clean your brickwork for you?! Our highly experienced staff will use our proven methods to remove that damaging grime and leave your brickwork looking fresh! We also offer sealing services for several surfaces to help you prevent water damage to your home!
