How To Breathe New Life into Your Home’s Brick Or Stone

Exposed brick walls are very charming and inviting. It brings a rustic look into your home and gives it more character and style. They don't require a lot of maintenance like other walls. But if your stones or bricks have seen better days, it is time to restore them. These are some ways you can go about restoring bricks or stones.

Clean The Bricks

There are probably stubborn stains taking away the beauty of your interior or exterior bricks. The first step in restoring the stones should be cleaning the surfaces of debris, dust, and other dirt. You can use your vacuum clear to suck any dirt before you clean. Before you use a power washer, ensure you check the condition of the walls. The machine is a bit aggressive; it can cause minor damages. If you are worried about the effects of using a power washer, clean the walls manually. Dirty bricks are never a sight for sore eyes; a simple cleaning can make them look more appealing. Get the stones wet before you start using cleaners. Dry bricks will absorb the cleaning products and discolor or fade over time. Saturate the entire surface using a spray bottle or a garden hose before applying cleaning products. Scrub all the dirty bricks until they are in tip-top condition again.

Repair The Brick Mortar Joints

Repairing the exterior brick mortar joints is very common for restoring color and aesthetics. Use hammer and chisel to chip away the old mortar. You shouldn't go beyond 1 inch and be very careful not to damage the actual bricks. Use a wire brush to clean the cavity and then leave them to soak in water until the next day. You can put the new mortar the next day and ensure it is in the right place. After mortar repointing, you will realize a dramatic difference; the walls will look new again. Mortar shows aging quicker than bricks; they soften over time and become weak. Repairing them will also keep the quality of your wall intact. If you don't have the skills to repair on a DIY basis, you should seek professional help.

Consider Sealing The Surface

If you want a long-term solution that will keep the stones in perfect shape without much maintenance, consider a sealant. There are so many products that can cover the surface while marinating the authentic texture of the stones or bricks. Lime wash will help you cover the surfaces and prevent dirt and other kinds of damages. The sealants with a glossy finish will leave the bricks looking unnatural. Use produces that leave a matte finish or a whitewash effect. Most people are attracted to bricks because of the rustic look they give. You must ensure you maintain the same beauty even after sealing the surfaces. However, only apply the sealant after you clean and repair the walls. It's better to use a removable sealant; you can always expose the bricks again whenever you want.

Replace Damaged Or Lose Bricks

Brick is durable, but it can crack and break over time, especially when exposed to excessive moisture. It can also become loose if the mortar becomes weak. A damaged or protruding brick makes the wall look bad. You should get rid of such breaks as a way of breathing new life into your walls. You will have to replace the old bricks with new ones. Removing damaged bricks from a wall requires some skills. You have to remove enough mortar until the brick is loose enough. Jiggle the brick until it comes out. Sometimes the brick has minor damages; check the other side of the brick to see if you can turn it and return it to the wall rather than buying a new one. If the stone is still in great shape, you can turn to the other side and apply mortar. Broken bricks will demand a new replacement. Ensure you buy bricks that match your old ones or have a similar color.

Conclusion

With a little time and labor, you can have your bricks looking new again. Brick surfaces don't show wear and tear or dirt easily like other materials. But that doesn't mean they are maintenance-free. Every once in a while, you should repair and clean them. Such practices will maintain the quality of the walls and the rustic beauty of the bricks.