Taking Care of Your Home’s Masonry
Homeowners often choose brick and stone siding and masonry for their homes because of their beauty and ease of maintenance. However, just because the maintenance is easy doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. Natural stone and brick are susceptible to damage from natural elements, and improper care can lead to major headaches later. Here are 4 tips to help you care for your home’s exterior masonry from a quality masonry expert.
Use a Sealant
Water damage is a primary concern for exterior masonry, but probably not how you think. While standing water or continual rain can erode natural stone and brick and cause the mortar joints to crack over time, the real danger to masonry lies in the freeze-and-thaw cycles during the colder winter months. This is why it’s crucial to seal masonry.
Inspect it Frequently
When it comes to your home’s exterior masonry, the last thing you want to do is choose the “ignorance is bliss approach.” Damage is avoidable sometimes, especially if you have vines or shrubbery around your house, or if you live in a wetter climate. Regularly, take the time to inspect your home’s exterior. Look for cracks, holes, crystal-like powder, mildew, rust stains, bulges, or spalling (flaking). If you see any of these issues, work to fix them immediately.
Clean It
The great news is that cleaning brick and exterior stone is pretty straightforward. Most of the time, a simple pressure sprayer and the right cleaner can wash off simple debris. Sometimes, a little elbow grease and a brush might be required, too. With natural stone and brick, go for less pressure, and rely more on the detergent.
Use Patch Mortar
During your regular inspections, and before you think about cleaning, you want to patch up any mortar joints between bricks that are damaged. Look for any cracks or holes and chisel out any spots where the mortar is loose. Be sure to remove and brush away any loose particles, then mix the mortar and patch up the damaged areas.
If you need my quality masonry in Des Moines, IA, feel free to call CMI Services at (515) 328-6511 for more information!