Brick siding is beautiful, durable, and timeless. It can withstand hefty abuse from Mother Nature and protect your belongings within. Nevertheless, it’s important to maintain your brick siding if you want to continue benefiting from it. These brick maintenance tips from It’s The Brick Guys will help you keep your siding in tip-top shape.
Clean Your Brick Siding Periodically
When was the last time you cleaned your bricks? For that matter, have you ever cleaned your brick siding?
You should give your bricks a good scrub down at least once per year. You can use a special brick cleaning detergent and a large, soft-bristled broom to do the work manually. You could also use a brick outdoor cleaner that attaches to your garden hose.
Power washing is another option for cleaning bricks, but it may be too powerful for older brick structures. You could pay for a power washing service, rent a power washer, or purchase a power washer to use year after year.
Inspect Your Bricks Annually
It’s always a good idea to look over your bricks as you walk around your property, but you should do a thorough inspection annually. Look for worn mortar, efflorescence (white marks on the bricks), brick or mortar cracks, bowing/leaning areas, and anything else that looks out of the ordinary. If you have concerns, consider getting a professional brick inspection and repair quote. The knowledgeable brick masons at It’s The Brick Guys would be happy to assist you.
Replace Worn Mortar to Protect Your Bricks
Mortar wears down faster than bricks. Tuckpointing is the process of removing worn mortar at the surface and replacing it with new mortar. This re-stabilizes the bricks and seals the edges against weather damage. Tuckpointing is an important element of brick siding maintenance, and it’s something you should factor into your overall home maintenance expenses.
Keep Weep Holes Clear
Have you ever noticed the vertical slits in your mortar along the base of your house? These are known as weep holes. They are designed to give water a place to escape as it falls through your brick siding. Brick and mortar are porous, so water can get stuck behind your bricks. The weep holes give that water somewhere to go.
If you notice nests or dirt clogging your weep holes, clear them out to maximize drainage efficiency.
Get a Custom Brick Maintenance Plan from It’s The Brick Guys
The age of your home and the style of your brick siding will determine which maintenance steps are right for you. It’s The Brick Guys can create a custom maintenance plan to restore your brickwork and keep it looking pristine. We proudly service many communities around Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Contact us at (833) 627-4257 to schedule a brick maintenance consultation.
