Brick siding is a classic architectural element. From timeless aesthetics to more practical advantages like fire resistance, brick offers a multitude of pluses. But over time, this material can collect a bunch of dirt, debris, mold, and more. In this guide, CLAD Siding shows you the ways on how to freshen up your home’s brick exterior. Let’s go!
How to Make Old Brick Look New Again
Masonry is a durable and striking addition to any building’s exterior. Whether you need cleaning and restoration or a completely revamped look, you have several options. Below, you’ll find the most common ways to deal with brick that’s seen better days.
Restoration and Repair Issues
There are several common restoration and repair issues with brick:
- Staining: Brick can get stained over time. To remove, mix 1 part muriatic acid solution and 10 parts water for dark bricks and 1 part acid and 15 parts water for light color bricks. Pour on bricks, wait 10-15 minutes, and then rinse.
- Efflorescence: This a chalk-like buildup caused by moisture and humidity. To remove, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar, spray bricks, wait 10-15 minutes, and rinse.
- Mortar Deterioration: Brick can hold up for a long time. Mortar, on the other hand, has a tendency to deteriorate faster. Through the process of repointing, a qualified brick mason can remove the crumbling mortar and replace it.
- Spalling: Moisture can cause bricks to expand and contract, resulting in spalling. This is when the brick cracks or is left without its top layer. A mason can take care of this issue by replacing or reinstalling the particular bricks in question.
- Settling Foundation: Ground movement and settling can cause mortar step cracks. If you experience this problem, you’ll need to consult a professional.
Cleaning
Over time, brick can get pretty dirty. Usual suspects include everything from kicked-up dirt to mold to algae. Because of brick’s porous nature, this stuff can get easily trapped in your home or commercial building’s exterior. Whether you’re dealing with a fairly straightforward situation – the brick simply needs to be cleaned and resealed – or the project requires extra steps (more on that below), performing a thorough cleaning is definitely the first step.
Examine for Repair Issues
First, you’ll want to examine your brick exterior. Look out for the types of debris and grime. Make note of areas that require greater attention. Also, make sure to locate and address any damage you might see. This can include broken brick pieces or missing mortar.
Use a Power Washer to Clean
Once you’ve given it a once over, it’s time to clean. Grab a power washer. You could use a garden hose with an adjustable nozzle, but this only gives you so much cleaning ability. The power washer will take care of most of it, but when it comes to mold and algae, you’ll need to scrub these areas with bleach and water. Once you’re done, dry for 24 hours prior to the next step.
Reseal
Next, if you’re planning on simple revitalization, you’ll want to move onto the sealing stage (more on that in the below section).
Remember that dirty brick can often look a lot darker than it does once you’ve thoroughly cleaned it, especially if it’s quite old. This can result in a complete transformation!
Resealing
Once you’ve cleaned off the brick (and allowed it to dry for at least 24 hours), you can proceed to sealing it. This serves two purposes: to safeguard the masonry and add pop to the brick’s color. You’ll need a pneumatic sprayer. Also, make sure you know the nature of the sealer you’re applying. Some can be sprayed in one pass, while others require multiple coats.
Painting
Want to completely change the look of your brick siding? Then painting it might be the answer. When tastefully executed, this process can completely transform the exterior of your home or office. If you’re wanting to lighten the dark appearance of brick, adding paint can definitely lighten the situation and provide the right aesthetic.
Do keep in mind that painted brick does require ongoing maintenance to keep it looking great over the long run. It also creates a uniform look as opposed to the gradients of brick color and mortar separation. But if you’re okay with that, this is a fantastic way to freshen up the look!
Whitewashing
Is full-on paint not exactly what you’re looking for? Would you like to retain the character of brick while adding a nice aesthetic change? Offering a look that combines paint with the natural characteristics of brick siding, whitewashing has become a popular choice in recent years.
The process involves applying watered-down paint to the brick and then wiping it off. This provides a charming, rustic look that allows the texture to come through the paint.
German Schmear
Sometimes mistakenly called whitewashing, German Schmear is a more complex finish. Instead of paint, wet mortar is applied to the exterior brick. Some brick is left uncovered, resulting in a delightful old-world style. This is a great update to worn brick or for those wanting to incorporate elements of the Old World into their home or business exterior.
This is a more labor-intensive (and expensive) option compared to standard painting or whitewashing. The upside is that it doesn’t require anywhere near the same level of upkeep as the other techniques.
Tuckpointing
When you want to freshen up the look of your brick exterior, but you don’t want to cover up the natural character of the brick (or you’re dealing with mortar deterioration), tuckpointing can provide just the right restorative look!
From residential to commercial, tuckpointing can make the old brick look fantastic. The technique involves the removal and replacement of mortar. Then, two contrasting colors of new mortar are applied. This gives the appearance of a fine joint. This is an art and requires the skill and finesse of a professional to look its best.
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Need brick installation, restoration, or repairs? We’ve got you covered! CLAD Siding helps you to quickly hire a brick siding contractor or masonry expert in your local area. Click here to find out more!
