Over time, brickwork accumulates dirt and other contaminants that make the bricks lose their original appeal and beauty. Some homeowners are quick to replace the brickwork. However, brick restoration is a cost-effective and fast way to restore the beauty of your home. Besides, you avoid the tedious task of consulting with the local government, checking strata bylaws, and seeking permits. Brick restoration also allows you to keep your home in its original condition. This quality is essential if the property is a historical building.
Read this excerpt to learn how homeowners can restore their brickwork.
Start By Inspecting The Property
An inspection will help you determine the scope of your restoration project. For instance, you might be dealing with dirty bricks without any structural issues. In other cases, the mortar might have crumbled, making the brickwork weak. It is especially so if the building was built several decades ago. Establish the risks of conducting the restoration works. For example, when dealing with weak brickwork, it would be risky to pin a scaffold or place a ladder on the wall. Some buildings might have asbestos-based plaster. In this case, it becomes dangerous to remove the bricks before conducting asbestos abatement. If you wish to remove the bricks, check where AC ducts, power, and water lines pass.
Determine A Suitable Restoration Method
You have to choose between the following restoration methods:
Total Restoration
Total restoration is ideal when the brickwork has severe damage. For example, it could have crumbling mortar or cracked bricks. The restoration process involves removing all the brickwork. If the bricks are double-faced, flipping them is a simple way to restore their exterior appeal. If they are not, scrub the surface to get rid of dirt and grime. You will also need to replace the broken bricks. If the new bricks bear a different design, install them at the rear of your house, where they cannot be seen. Alternatively, you could use both designs creatively to create patterns.
Cleaning The Bricks
If your brickwork does not have structural defects, cleaning it is a sure way to restore its shine. Scrub the dirt and grime with a brush. Then, use a vacuum cleaner to remove any particles left on the brickwork. Wet the bricks using a garden cleaner and clean them using mild detergents and a brush. Wash off the soap using your garden hose. Avoid using a high-pressure hose since it will damage the bricks and mortar. If the bricks have stubborn stains, use an acid-based cleaner to remove them.
You do not have to worry about dirty, stained, or damaged brickwork. This guide should act as a blueprint to help you restore the shine on your bricks.
Share28 December 2021
Concrete may seem boring to the uninitiated, but as the wife of a concrete contractor, I have learned, over the years, that it is anything but boring. Contemporary concrete can be used in a range of applications from functional sound walls to decorative koi ponds, and it can be left gray, stamped or acid stained. If you are getting ready to do a project, you have come to the right place. In this blog, I am going to post a myriad of information about concrete with an emphasis on project ideas and the different uses of concrete. By the end, I hope you find concrete as exciting as I do!
