While brick is a material that can last for decades, it is not a “use it and forget it” material for your Texas home. Thankfully, though, it does not require large amount of maintenance time to ensure the brick repairs are kept at bay. By employing some simple upkeep tasks, you can keep your brick repairs to a minimum and have a great looking location for years.
Brick is considered by many to be the best exterior siding choice for many reasons – energy efficiency, resale value, versatility, and aesthetics, being just a few. But beyond those benefits, maintenance for brick siding is relatively simple and can be done by anyone.
Minimizing Brick Repairs through Maintenance
Like any home siding, brick needs to be cleaned. At least once a year, use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to remove any loose dirt. If a portion of your home is shaded and thus gets little sunlight, or has nearby vegetation that is damp, then you need to be on the lookout for moss, mold, or mildew. If you note any of these, they can be removed by using a scrub brush (be sure it is not one with steel in it!) and a mixture of one cup of bleach to one gallon of water.
If you have a newer brick home, you may also choose to have the brick cleaned using sandblasting, as it is great for all hard burned, non-glazed, smooth, or textured brick. Included in this category of bricks are reds, buffs, whites, grays, chocolates, etc. However, do not use sandblasting for lightly sanded, coated, slurry, or sandbox brick as the brick can be permanently damaged.
Be sure to take a few minutes each spring to inspect specific areas for any damage. These areas include chimneys, steps, walkways, and mailboxes that are constantly exposed to the elements. If you note any discoloration, loose masonry, spalling, or chipped/broken bricks, you should call Omega Masonry to schedule a visit.
If you have not had your brick exterior sealed using a silane based or siloxane based sealer within the past 5 years, then you should talk to a masonry pro to do this. A sealer will prevent moisture related problems such as staining, cracking and spalling.
As you inspect the exterior of your brick location, look for any plants that may be trying to take root. While it may look beautiful, if vines work their way into the brick walls it can cause cracks in the mortar.
These simple maintenance steps will go a long way towards minimizing brick repairs and keeping your home or business looking its best. After all, brick repairs don’t have to be a part of your schedule – it’s merely a matter of simple maintenance.
However, when you do need to have brick repairs made, don’t put them off! Take time to schedule a visit with Omega Masonry and find out how your brick exterior can look like new in no time at all. Give us a call today.
