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Sealing A Brick House

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If you own a brick house, then you’re well aware of the dangers of moisture damage to brick. If you don’t own a brick house but are thinking about purchasing one, it’s important that you understand this durable material. The biggest enemy to any form of masonry is moisture. Bricks are porous, and as such, they are prone to absorbing water and cracking or crumbling. The same goes for mortar. 

One of the best ways to protect your brick house from moisture damage is by sealing it. Sealing a brick house can help prevent any issues that you may have with water damage for a period of time. Learn all about sealing a brick house here!

Step 1: Inspect the House

If you’re considering sealing your house, you’ll need to inspect it to make sure that sealing it is suitable. Then, you’ll need to prep it for sealing. When inspecting the home, look for the following issues that may be present:

  • Mold or mildew buildup
  • Crumbling or cracking in the bricks or mortar
  • Salt lines from flooding
  • Creeping plants, like ivy
  • Areas with heavy dirt or mineral deposits
  • Old paint

If you notice that your brick and mortar are heavily damaged, either through cracking or crumbling, sealing your house may not be the first thing you should do. The house may need to be tuckpointed, or repaired further. If so, give us a call. If your home seems to be in good condition, then you’ll be ready to prep it.

Step 2: Prep the Brick

Preparing the brick is an important step. As bricks are porous, it can be assumed that they’ll absorb things like moisture and dirt over time. They may also have residual sealant in them if they’ve been sealed before. As such, it’s important to wash them and prepare them for sealing. To wash the brick, follow the steps below:

  1. Remove any dirt, debris, or old paint from the surface gently
  2. Pull back any debris from the bottom layers of brick
  3. Apply a mildew and mold remover using a scrub brush
  4. Power wash the brick from top to bottom, making sure to wash away any dirty water
  5. Allow the brick to dry completely

Once you’ve finished prepping the brick, it’s time to get the workspace ready.

Step 3: Protecting Surfaces and Yourself

Treat your house as if you’re painting it. That means covering things surrounding the house with drop cloths, taping off windows and doors, and wearing eye protection, a mask, and rubber gloves. If you’ve done all that, then you’re ready to seal.

Step 4: Seal the Brick

You can use a pump sprayer or the traditional method of a roller to apply brick sealant. Regardless, make sure that you coat the surfaces evenly, and allow them to dry completely. Temperatures need to be between 40 and 90 degrees fahrenheit for proper application, and the sealer needs to be allowed to dry without weather interference.

Key Takeaways

Sealing brick is a great way to keep your home in great shape for years to come. However, not all homes are ready to be sealed. If the masonry surfaces of your home need repair, be sure to give us a call. We can help you get your brick tuckpointed, and get it in the best shape before being sealed!

Should I Paint My Exposed Brick Walls?

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One of the most timeless looks in any home is an exposed brick wall. It shows the craftsmanship that went into the home, and adds great texture to any room. What’s more is that true exposed brick walls are a conversation starter. Not many people’s homes have legitimate exposed brick in them these days – construction methods have changed, and so have the qualities of brick. As such, an old brick wall in the home looks good.

However, a big trend in interior design as of late is painting these beautiful walls. Sure, there are some benefits to this, but should an exposed brick wall be painted? While it’s entirely up to the owner, of course, there are some things that you should consider before painting your exposed brick. Take a look at what we have to say about it.

The Case for Leaving Exposed Brick Exposed

While painted brick walls are trendy and in style, they aren’t the smartest decision to make when it comes to the well-being of your home, or the brick that’s in it. Here are some great reasons as to why your interior exposed brick should remain unpainted.

Paint is Moist, Moisture Means Damage

While there are paints that are made specifically for painting masonry, most payments don’t take into consideration the issues that brick will have with moisture. When exposed to constant moisture, brick is prone to cracking and crumbling. Paint is, in fact, moist. When you paint a brick wall, you run the risk of causing serious damage to it.

Painted Brick Can’t Be Undone

When you paint a surface, it isn’t always permanent. In most cases, you can remove the paint with some sandpaper and some elbow grease. When you paint brick, you can’t go back. Paint on brick is a permanent solution, as the removal of the paint will damage the brick. If you want to change the look of your painted brick, you’ll have to choose a different paint color, because removing the paint will do irreparable damage to the masonry nine times out of ten.

It’s A Lot of Work

Painting brick in the first place requires a lot of work. Prepping and priming brick for painting takes more effort than pretty much any other surface, and it can’t be rushed. Sealing the brick is the first step in this process, and if overlooked, the brick will suffer. Then, before being able to paint, a specific masonry primer will need to be applied as well. Then, the upkeep with the painted brick will be an effort, as well. It’s entirely likely that even when proper steps are taken, the brick will suffer water damage.

Key Takeaways

Should exposed brick walls be painted? We don’t think so. However, if you’re considering going the route of painting your brick, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’ll go over the process in detail with you, and we’ll be able to come take a look before you paint. That way you’ll know if your brick is up to it or not.

Tuckpointing: Solid vs. Spot Pointing

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As a homeowner of a brick house or chimney, there may come a time when you will have to either completely re-do your entire house and/or chimney, or there might only be a few areas that need fixing. No matter what your needs are, it is important to know a couple different terms when it comes to tuckpointing: spot and solid tuckpointing. 

Solid Tuckpointing

Solid tuckpointing is also simply known as “tuckpointing”. The process involves maintaining brick and mortar buildings, infrastructures, or outdoor structures for the long run. This includes removing mortar joints throughout an entire wall or area, joint cleaning, and installing new mortar. The process also involves experts discovering mortar that is old and deteriorating, crumbling, damaged, or simply unappealing. Once the old mortar is gone, masonries go in and match the coloring with fresh, new mortar to expand the structural integrity and overall look of the building. Solid tuckpointing helps fight against weathering, aging, and overall damage of a whole wall or large-scale area. 

Spot Pointing

On the other hand, spot pointing, also known as spot tuckpointing, is the same thing as tuckpointing just on a smaller scale. It focuses on fixing major, localized open holes and settling cracks in smaller areas throughout a wall that is overall solid and in good condition. In other words, it is plugging up holes to stave off fast deterioration. The positive side of spot pointing is that if you can take care of it sooner rather than later, you will be able to stay away from costly prices that solid tuckpointing can bring. 

Which One Do You Need?

You might be wondering if you need spot or solid tuckpointing, and if you are, all you need to do is look at your wall or building. If less than 10% of the entire area is damaged, you can get away with doing spot pointing. However, if it is anything larger than that, you will need solid tuckpointing. If you decide you need spot pointing, look at the entire area. If the surrounding brick and/or mortar is almost deteriorated, then it might be more economical to proceed with a larger scale solid tuckpointing. If you do not, then there is a good chance you will incorporate new mortar into near-failing mortar. This would not provide good overall structural support and would lead to solid tuckpointing later anyway. Also, if the surrounding area has gotten to the point where it is visibly aging, spot pointing will only produce more of an eyesore than simply repairing the whole wall or structure. Keep in mind, spot pointing is best completed on a building that has had solid tuckpointing work done within the past 10-15 years. 

Whatever the need is, whether it is spot pointing or solid tuckpointing, it is vital to take care of the issue before it becomes worse. Tuckpointing is a labor-intensive job that involves costs calculate based on how much labor is needed. Therefore, it is recommended that begin with the worst areas and work your way around your home. If the project is on a smaller scale, it is better to fix everything at once. 

Keep in mind that you need to check your structures made of brick on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear or major damage. Localized damage most often occurs after large storms when trees or large objects cause major damage around downspouts that are not working correctly, areas where water collects easily, or simply major household accidents. It is important to remember that even though it may seem localized, you still want to have an expert perform an inspection to make sure there isn’t more damage than what you can see. 

Therefore, it is important to call a professional masonry for an inspection. The professionals at Marlon Tuckpointing are fully trained to notice even the smallest signs of damage. They will work quickly and efficiently to make sure you get a quote and find the right time for you to repair the damage. Our professionals are dedicated to giving you the best service possible and work with respect and professionalism. Don’t hesitate to call us today at (314) 496-9067 to set up a time for us to provide you with a quote!

Maintaining Your Brick After Tuckpointing

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Sure, brick might be the most durable material to use when building structures, especially when it’s old brick. However, even brick doesn’t last forever. Most of the time, a good tuckpointing job can really lengthen the life of any brick structure in your home. However, if you want to maintain that structure, there’s some maintenance that you should do after the tuckpointing has been completed. Check out these maintenance tips that will keep your brick good for years to come!

Keep Your Brick Surfaces Clean and Mold Free

If your brick is on a side of your home that gets little sunlight, or there’s vegetation covering it, it may be more prone to mold. Mold, mildew, and moss are all harmful for masonry, as they’ll harbor moisture. Moisture is the biggest enemy of brick and mortar, as it erodes both materials over time. To help prevent any moldy build up, you can use standard household products!

Spray down your brick surface adequately with water, this will prevent your cleanser from being absorbed. Mix together 1 part bleach to 16 parts water, or roughly a cup of bleach to a gallon of water. Using a soft, plastic bristle brush, gently cleanse your brick with the bleach solution as needed. This will help kill any mold or mildew buildups.

Don’t Clean Too Aggressively

Bricks and mortar are both porous materials. If you use the incorrect method of cleaning, it is very likely that you’ll do more harm than you will good. When you’re cleaning brick, remember to use soft brushes, normally made from plastics. Wire tipped brushes will be far too abrasive for the brick to be used. Additionally, if you plan on using any sort of cleanser, be sure to read about the and the materials they’re intended for, first. The last thing you’d want after having your home tuckpointed is a cleaner to ruin the job that was just done!

Stop Wear and Tear From Water Damage

Water damage in brick comes from one of two things: long-term soaking, and mineral deposits in the water. As such, it is important to prevent these two things as much as possible. If flooding occurs around your home, then trying to mitigate the water is the first step to reducing your brick’s water damage.

The second step occurs after water has been redirected and no longer pools. When brick is exposed to standing water numerous times, salts and minerals begin to accumulate. These can compromise the brick, and need to be removed. Diluted trisodium phosphate and a soft brush can help you remove these salts, and therefore prevent the bricks from degrading at an increased rate.

Key Takeaways

Keeping your brick and mortar clean after tuckpointing is an important step in increasing the life of your masonry surfaces. A little bit of routine maintenance and cleaning can keep your brick in great shape, and prevent an increased breakdown. If your brick is starting to look a little rough, be sure to give us a call at Marlon Tuckpointing! We’d be happy to help you with all your tuckpointing needs.

The Art of Tuckpointing

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Everything has an art to it, and construction and restoration projects are no exception. In this line of work, tuckpointing is not a new art, but it is gaining popularity in the world of construction and restoration for its drastic effect on the aesthetic value of brick surfaces. The first mention of tuckpointing occurred in the late 19th century, and since then it has been used to modernize and stylize brick surfaces across the globe. All the materials necessary for tuckpointing are cheap and readily accessible, so it is not a hard process to start; however, it takes some training to get the colors and joints just right.

Match It Up

After removing the old mortar between bricks on a surface, a tuckpointing technician must create mortar in the same color as the bricks. This is accomplished using dyes and pigments that help create the most realistic look. The technician will spend as much time as they need on creating a mortar color that matches your bricks as closely as possible. This is the most important step in tuckpointing as it creates the base for the crisp lines that will come from applying a contrasting color on top of the matched mortar.

Apply the Contrast

The most common contrasting color to bricks and the first layer of tuckpointing in any color is white or light gray. This is often the color of mortar with no dye, so there is less need for color matching in this step. The crux of this step involves the fact that the lines made of the mortar in a contrasting color must be smooth and clean with little to no irregularity. While the mortar that matches the bricks is used as a base coat, it will hopefully not be noticed by onlookers once everything is dry, but the clean, regular lines should stand out to anyone who is admiring your brick surfaces.

A Masterpiece

Tuckpointing technicians and crews take pride in the crisp lines and accurate matches they create, and your satisfaction is the most important thing while they create their masterpiece. It may seem that there is not much creativity in the field of construction and restoration. However, it is indeed one of the most creative and fulfilling fields because it combines features of artistry with the practicality and resolve of daily use.

Tuckpointing is not something that seems like it would immediately stand out, and perhaps the staple feature of your property is not the brick surfaces that you own, but having these surfaces look crisp can accentuate the beauty of your property in a very minimalistic way. Even if you have aging bricks, tuckpointing can give them a fresh and clean face ready for the 21st century that will last for 15-20 years with little maintenance. 

Final Thoughts

Tuckpointing is an overlooked artform that can be utilized to give properties and brick surfaces a fresh face without breaking the bank or going overboard with complete remodels or replacement of the brick surfaces in your property. Tuckpointing is a great and long-lasting investment in your brick surfaces, and guests, potential buyers, and even your eyes will thank you! If you are interested in learning more about tuckpointing, contact Marlon Tuckpointing today for a quote to get you started on your next project!

A Cleaner Look: The Benefits of Tuckpointing

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Tuckpointing is a unique and artistic facet of the construction world that is sometimes overlooked during construction and restoration projects. Instead of being left on the sidelines like it sometimes is, tuckpointing should be celebrated for the awesome benefits it can have for the brick surfaces in your home and on your property. While it is sometimes a complicated process, the materials are readily accessible, and Marlon Tuckpointing can give you a free quote to get you started as soon as possible on your project.

What is Tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing in a nutshell is a way of using mortar in two shades to create very clean looking edges between bricks on a surface. This is accomplished by removing the old mortar and replacing it with a layer of mortar the color of the surface of the bricks. The second layer is what is mostly seen as it is characterized as clean, lightly colored lines that give the bricks a distinguished and modern appearance.

A similar job to tuckpointing is repointing, this only involves replacing the original mortar with new to remove cracks and debris. Repointing is sometimes the only necessary repair especially when aesthetic value is not a huge factor. Tuckpointing is usually the best option for those looking for a durable, effective, and cosmetically more appealing repair.

The Tuckpointing Process

Initially, the old mortar between the bricks is removed to create a space for the new mortar. Next, the mortar for the first layer is color matched to the surface of the bricks on the wall. This mortar is then added in between the bricks. Once this mortar all dries, the job is completed and should last for another 15-20 years with minimal maintenance.

Curb Appeal

Brick walls are attractive to most people. The comfort and familiarity brought by bricks and mortar is something irreplaceable. For this reason and the aesthetic value of the regularity of brick surfaces, they are a popular feature of homes and properties across the nation. Unfortunately, your brick surfaces may be underappreciated right now due to aging mortar or cracking, but tuckpointing can resolve this issue and return your brick surfaces to their former glory.

Tuckpointing keeps the classic look but makes it modern all at the same time by creating crisper lines that really define your bricks and make them look as good as new. Tuckpointing can also help in keeping water from entering the inner parts of the brick surface giving your walls, chimneys, and fireplaces a longer lifespan.

Final Thoughts

Tuckpointing is a wonderful process when completed correctly, and there is an incredible array of applications for this style of replacing mortar. If you feel like your brick surfaces are not living up to their full potential due to old mortar, cracks, or other damage, tuckpointing may be a good option for you to clean up your brick surfaces. If you have any questions about tuckpointing or would like a quote, contact Marlon Tuckpointing today to discuss your options.

5 Reasons Your House May Need Tuckpointing

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Tuckpointing isn’t the most common term when it comes to home repairs or home renovation, but it is important. Tuckpointing is the act of maintaining and possibly restoring mortar joints between bricks using a two-toned mortar technique. It is a project that can lengthen the life of your brick structures and increase the value of your home if kept up with properly!

Here are 5 reasons that you may need to consider having your house tuckpointed.

  1. The Mortar is Failing
    If the mortar on your house is beginning to fail, then you need to have your house tuckpointed, and quickly. Mortar joints between bricks are legitimately what holds them together, and when the mortar begins to crumble and fall from the joints, the structure begins to weaken. Tuckpointing when this begins to happen is crucial, and can save you a lot of time and money down the line if identified early enough!
  2. Your House Hasn’t Been Tuckpointed in a Decade (Or More!)
    Your mortar joints look fine, and your brick is strong, so you know the mortar isn’t failing. Well, even if that’s the case, it’s important that you have your brick walls or structures, like a chimney, checked and tuckpointed. Preventative maintenance in a home is highly important, and it’s recommended that you have the brick in your home tuckpointed every 10 to 15 years.
  3. Bricks Are Beginning to Crack
    There’s a good chance that if you see bricks in your home beginning to crack, or spall, that you’ll need to look into having your home tuckpointed. When the mortar joints between your bricks begin to crack or deteriorate, it may not be entirely noticeable. A dead giveaway is when the bricks begin to crack or flake. Good mortar joints prevent too much moisture from entering a brick wall, while deteriorating joints don’t protect against this, and the resulting moisture entering the brick causes it to crack.
  4. You’ve Found a Puddle in Your Basement
    Let’s talk a little bit more about moisture. Sure, noticing signs of wear and tear from moisture is a little bit easier with the brick outside, or any brick that’s exposed inside on the first floor. That’s not the only sign of moisture damage in your joints or bricks. Hidden deterioration may be happening, and water may be seeping in from the outside and dribbling into your basement. If you see this, you may need to get your brick tuckpointed.
  5. Increasing the Value of Your Home
    Last but not least, tuckpointing is a good way to increase the value of your home if you’re looking to sell! It’s regular maintenance that needs to be done, and if done recently, can help increase the appraisal you receive when looking to put your house on the market.

Tuckpointing is an important part of home maintenance and restoration for any property that has brick walls or structure. Consider giving your home a look through and getting it tuckpointed today!

When’s the Best Time to Get Your House Tuckpointed?

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So you’ve started to notice some wear and tear on the mortar joints between your bricks. In some places it’s cracking, while in others it’s beginning to crumble. When you think about it, you can’t remember the last time you’ve had any sort of work done to them. So what’s the best time to get work done? Check out our helpful guide on the best time to have your house tuckpointed.

How Long Can I Go Without Tuckpointing?

Generally, when it comes to bricks and masonry, tuckpointing should be done every 10 to 15 years. While bricks can last one hundred years, easily, the mortar between them is a lot more susceptible to damage. Staying on top of the health of your mortar will also help to lengthen the life of the brick, as it prevents moisture buildup in the brick itself.

What Time of the Year is Best for Tuckpointing?

Generally, the best time of the year for tuckpointing is going to be when temperatures are between 40 and 90 degrees. Ideally, these temperatures will last for the entire length of the job being done, normally about 24 hours before the job begins and the 72 hours following completion of the tuckpointing. This is due to the nature of mortar, and the optimal conditions it needs to cure. Most often, autumn fits the bill the best.

That being said, it can be done in cooler temperatures if you’ve noticed that it needs to be done right away, as long as the mortar is treated properly in terms of temperature, and that it gets the proper protection while curing. It’s not generally recommended to have tuckpointing done during the summer due to the humid nature of the time of the year, and with spring comes rain.

Additionally, if you’re considering having your chimney tuckpointed, the best time of year is when the chimney is not in use. This would be either just before winter starts, or after winter has ended.

What About the Weather?

We’re glad you asked. While the optimal temperatures occur in spring, just like they do autumn, the main difference is the predictability of the weather. When tuckpointing, precipitation and moisture are the biggest detriments to the process. While curing, mortar needs to be kept dry, as well as at the right temperature. Because spring and summer are typically rainy, and winter brings snow, autumn really is the best time of the year to have masonry work done.

The Takeaway

Tuckpointing is an important part of the upkeep of masonry buildings. The most important things to take away from what you’ve learned here are as follows:

  • Maintain your masonry structures every 10 to 15 years, or more often if needed.
  • Try to have tuckpointing done over a period of time where the temperature is between 40 and 90 degrees.
  • Avoid rain and snow, as this will prevent the mortar from curing correctly.

Keeping these things in mind, you’re ready to schedule an appointment to have your brick attended to, and kept looking sharp, with tuckpointing!