Brick has always been considered one of the most reliable materials for the construction and cladding of walls of private houses. Its traditional red-brown color is familiar to the eye and blends perfectly with the surrounding landscape and buildings. It is easy and convenient for architects and designers to select aesthetic solutions for this material. And the combination with an almost unlimited service life makes its properties truly unique.
The durability of brickwork is due to the properties of baked clay and its ability to resist negative environmental influences. However, it would be wrong to think that brick is eternal. If you leave a wall without any maintenance, it will simply gradually begin to collapse. Chips, dents and other defects will appear, which at first threaten only aesthetic perception, but then they may well develop into serious strength problems. It is especially unpleasant when this happens to the facade of a building, which is, in some way, the calling card of the owner.
In this regard, the owners of a house or cottage, the facade of which is lined with brick, need to take some measures to extend its attractive appearance. We should start, of course, with prevention, which involves regular and thorough inspection: firstly, of the surface of the bricks themselves, and secondly, of the masonry joint for cracking or even loss of cement mortar. It won't hurt to remove dust with a dry cloth.
Cosmetic defects in masonry mainly include various contaminations on the front side. The most noticeable thing here are the white stains on the surface of the brick. This consequence of a violation of the technology for preparing masonry mortar can only be eliminated with special chemical compounds.
However, over time, the stains themselves are gradually washed away by precipitation. Ordinary stains on the facade can be completely eliminated by simply washing the wall with water and special detergents under low pressure. It is not recommended to use mechanical means for cleaning to avoid damaging the brick surface.
As a rule, cracks in the front part of a brick are caused by invisible cracks at first glance, into which moisture gets in in winter. They are mostly removed with special grouting pastes, and the main thing is that their color matches the brick.
But sometimes the destruction of bricks begins due to defects in the mortar joints. And then for minor damage, specialized sealants are used. If the size of the damage is large, then it may be necessary to completely restore the damaged part, which only a qualified specialist can do. But in most cases, careful and careful handling of brickwork allows you to avoid serious problems.
If the interior has exposed brickwork, well-groomed, properly painted and dry, most likely you are a non-trivial person, have good taste and a broad outlook, and it is easy and pleasant to communicate with you. However, the charm of a brick wall cannot be preserved without proper attention and timely maintenance. In this article we will introduce you to the practice of treating and painting brick walls.
Old brickwork that needs updating should be cleaned of dirt and plaster residues. First, spray it with a solution of vinegar water or washing powder. Then begin to carefully remove stubborn dirt with a damp cloth.
For the most difficult stains, a metal dish sponge is suitable. First, try processing a small piece of the wall somewhere on the edge or bottom. If the wall does not crumble and can withstand harsh impacts normally, you can begin to clean stains in visible places. If not, it is better to call professionals who, using special chemicals, wearing respirators and protective clothing, will put the masonry in order.
If your family home has a long history, and your grandfather was in charge of laying bricks in the walls, please do not pass by. Stop and take a closer look at the brickwork. Most likely, the bricks or the seams between them have already begun to crumble.
If this is the case, it is very important not to miss the moment and restore the mortar until the strength between the bricks is completely lost. This is not such a complicated procedure, but if you have never repaired sutures, it is better to turn to professionals.
First of all, the seams between the bricks should be deepened by 2-2.5 cm. Special metal hooks or a hammer with a special chisel will help to remove the surface layer of the mortar. Don't forget to wear protective gloves and goggles. Pieces of old cement will fly in all directions.
Then, using two spatulas, a new sand-cement mortar is laid into the seams, which, in turn, is covered with a special grout on top.
The porosity of brick is its scourge. We have to fight with it in order to protect the brickwork from chipping. Moisture penetrates into the pores and cracks of the brick, which destroys the material from the inside. This is especially dangerous for walls that are susceptible to freezing. Treating brick with moisture-proof impregnations is one of the most important conditions for its long-term operation.
Previously, wax and varnish were widely used to preserve brickwork. The wax filled the voids in the brick, the varnish protected the masonry from the outside, enveloping it with a shiny film. Thus, there was no chance for water to penetrate inside. The disadvantage of this option is its fragility and vapor permeability. Wax is a fluid material; over time it disappears from the pores in the stone. The varnish wears off from the surface and requires periodic renewal. In addition, it does not allow the brick to “breathe”, clogging the remaining moisture and increasing the likelihood of fungus appearing inside it.
Modern developers have taken into account the experience of grandfather’s methods, and today the main impregnation material for a brick wall is considered to be impregnate. It is part of water repellents used to process various types of building stone: limestone, sandstone, brick, concrete stone, clinker, clay, granite, marble.
The impregnate is environmentally friendly and is made on the basis of silicone compounds. Instead of covering with a continuous film and filling the pores, as wax and varnish do, the impregnate envelops and polymerizes the brick. Thus, the stone itself is protected, but the pores continue to let air through. At the same time, the water-repellent properties of this impregnation make the brick easy to maintain. The dirt is washed off with plain water.
Since impregnate has neither odor nor harmful fumes, it can be used even in the smallest rooms. As an additional bonus, it protects the wall not only from moisture and stains, but also from fungus. Therefore, it will also come in handy for the kitchen or bathroom. In addition, such a water repellent is absolutely colorless and does not change the color of the brick.
