6 Things To Know About Brick Repair And Maintenance

Bricks are one of the building materials used in construction since time immemorial. Several property owners prefer to use bricks because they’re durable, long-lasting, and low maintenance. However, even if bricks have robust performance features like thermal insulation, they are still likely to develop longevity issues. Hence, the need for maintenance and repairs.

If you’re a homeowner who has adopted bricks for your walls and thinking of its maintenance and repair, you’re lucky. This article will provide insights by highlighting what you need to know about these two aspects. Read on!

1. Always Act Promptly

Acting promptly means responding as soon as you see the first sign of issues with your bricks. Doing so prevents severe damages that may be challenging to repair. And in extreme cases, you might be forced to replace the bricks, which can be costly. Therefore, immediately seal the first crack on your bricks with suitable materials as soon as you see them.

2. Know When To Seek Professional Help

There are some damages that you can handle independently. However, it’s best to know when to seek professional help. Professional contractors like d’Angelo Brick Repair can thoroughly assess the bricks and work on extensive repairs. Your bricks might need repairs that may be beyond what you know. Moreover, you wouldn’t want to do a substandard job due to trial and error. Hence, you should seek assistance from professionals who knows how to approach the issue and rectify it accordingly.

3. Regular Maintenance Is Necessary

Maintenance involves taking care of something to increase its lifespan, in this case, your brickwork. For your bricks to meet your needs efficiently, you must regularly inspect them, preferably once or twice a year. During the inspection, it’s best to focus on the mortar since it’s one of the significant causes of brick issues. Ensure it hasn’t worn away, and neither should it have cracks. You can easily scrap it and place new mortar if it has problems. Maintenance also requires you to clean your brick walls. You can use a pressure washer or garden hose pipe to clean it with water. Doing so eliminates dust accumulation that interferes with the aesthetic aspect of your brickwork.

4. Plant Growth Can Be An Issue

Did you know your brickwork can harbor plant growth on its surfaces? It’s likely the case for walls not exposed to the sun. These surfaces will be cold and damp. They’ll provide a conducive environment for the growth of crawling plants, including mildew and moss. These plants’ roots can develop cracks in your bricks, especially damp ones. If you don’t take action immediately, the damage can be extensive. As previously stated, you want to inspect your brickwork and identify growth. Thus, be sure to remove them in their initial stages before they become challenging to handle.

5. Water Damage Can Be An Issue

As the name suggests, water damage results from prolonged water exposure to your bricks. Bricks are porous and will likely absorb water from the surface. In addition, rainwater might get into your bricks, causing them to soak. Water damage will also occur if water pools around your foundation for extended periods. Water damage is dangerous if you don’t handle it promptly. It might affect your wall’s structural integrity, compromising your entire building. When addressing water damage, it’s important first to address the root cause, such as poor drainage in your compound. Addressing water damage can prevent the recurrence of the issue. Moreover, it would help to spray a water-repellent on your brickwork to prevent your bricks from absorbing the moisture in their surroundings, increasing their lifespan.

6. You Can Easily DIY

Repairing and maintaining your bricks might seem challenging to handle as a do-it-yourself project, but it’s possible. All you need are the skills and tools for the job. You can learn the skills online or ask your mason to equip you with some knowledge. In most cases, small-scale works are easy. For instance, if two or three bricks need replacing, you can easily remove and replace them without affecting the others. This is only possible with the right tools. Be sure to work with your vendor to get the right tools for an efficient and correct process.

Conclusion

The discussion above has divulged what you must know about brick repair and maintenance. With this information, you can better take care of your brickwork. Suppose you’re yet to adopt bricks and need more insight into the material. Consider the insights above when deciding, especially on your investment’s long-term costs. All in all, brick maintenance and repair are minimal, making it a suitable choice of building material.