Keeping Concrete in Good Condition: Our Guide

Benefits of Brick Restoration for a Home

Classic brick exterior walls give a home a timeless look. However, the problem with bricks is that, over the years, they crumble along the edges, giving the walls a jagged look. Plus, the mortar can decay and fall away, leaving gaps. To restore the building to its original beauty, you could undergo a brick restoration project. Consider these specific benefits you can expect.

More Stable Walls

If enough mortar crumbles away, a brick wall can become unstable. Unfortunately, a wall open to the elements deteriorates faster. A brick restoration process, termed repointing, involves chiselling the loose mortar and replacing it with fresh filling. This will ensure the integrity of the brickwork. If the deteriorated mortar isn't repaired, the wall could eventually collapse. You can also restore other brickwork structures, such as front fences. Sometimes, only sections of the building, such as a chimney, will require repointing to ensure they don't tumble.

Keep the Rain at Bay

Restoring the bricks will help keep a building safe from rain and moisture damage. Crumbly mortar can let water seep inside the walls and cause mould and mildew to develop and spread. With new mortar and sealant, the building will be protected.

Enhanced Appearance

After the restoration, the walls will also look better without gaps and holes scattered over the surface. Contractors can also clean the bricks at the same time to remove grime and pollution, bringing out their original colour, whether that's red, tan or orange. An improved kerb view will help if you intend to sell your home in the future. And your house will have the charm of brickwork that hasn't been plastered over with cement, which doesn't have as much character.

Extra Kerb Appeal

While brick restoration enhances a home, you can further improve it by undergoing a tuckpointing project. This unique cosmetic technique enhances the brickwork's integrity, as standard repointing does. However, after the damaged mortar is removed, it's replaced with mortar that has been coloured in the same hue as the bricks. This will conceal jagged brick edges, which are usually evident because of the contrasting mortar. After that, a thin, perfectly straight line of contrasting putty is applied, giving the illusion of perfectly uniform bricks and fine join lines. Tuckpointing will also highlight the brickwork pattern and design. It's ideal if you own a heritage home and want to restore the building to bring out its character. For more information about brick restoration, contact a contractor.