Brick
Basics: Maintenance, Care and Cleaning When considering exterior options, brick comes in first for durability and longevity. All it takes is a yearly checkup and basic maintenance to keep brick walls in top shape for a century—or longer. |
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From stately colonials to simple ranches, brick has remained as a popular building material for centuries. Its energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal are an added bonus in terms of resale value. Brick is relatively maintenance free, but occasional cleaning, spot checks for water damage, and repointing are necessary in order to ensure long-lasting structural integrity. The least aggressive approach should be your first plan of action when it comes to cleaning brick. Just like soiled clothing, different types of dirt on your home's exterior will require a different cleaning agent. Once a year use a garden hose, with a spray nozzle, or a spray bottle once a year to remove any loose dirt. If a particular side of your home receives little to no sunlight and the nearby vegetation is damp, be on the lookout for moss, mold, or mildew growth. A solution of one cup of bleach mixed with a gallon of water can be applied with a scrub brush can be used to clean most problem areas. Use a natural or synthetic bristle brush–wire brushes leave traces of steel behind that will rust and discolor the bricks. Before applying a bleach solution to brick, give the area a thorough soaking. This will help prevent the brick from absorbing the bleach. |
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Although bricks are relatively maintenance free, a yearly inspection will prevent small problems from becoming large repair jobs. | |||||||||||
Avoiding Water Damage Repointing Paint Removal Aggressive treatments,
like chemical applications used to remove chalk, calcium carbonate, and
rust, are best left to a professional. Chemicals must be spot tested in
various concentrations. Too high of a concentration can etch the surface
of the brick, damage window glass, or cause discoloration. |
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Copyright Sudprasert Engineering (C)2002
10 February, 2003