Hello all!
However, one guy recommends doing it now (December) and another recommends waiting until Spring. Looking for recommendations on the best time to do this, given the fact that we do have water leakage and Chicago winters are rough. Thanks!
-
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com on Dec 08, 2011Do not seal the brick. You will destroy the surface of it by trapping any moisture that will still get in and cause it to decay even faster. There are NO sealants that work with brick. Those clear coats they sell telling you that they seal brick simply are snake oil and once the brick moves and cracks develop between them, water will get in and cause more damage. check out www.bia.org for information about your brick and sealing. The next thing to understand is that brick in homes as old as yours has different mortar used to hold them into place. This mortar is much softer then the stuff they sell today. If they tuck pointed the outside surface of the brick with the off the shelf products what happens is the brick can begin to deteriorate and spall on the surface along the edges of where the new mortar was placed. This is caused by the brick rolling when the mortar and brick gets wet. The softer mortar that is on the back side of the brick will move much more then the new mortar used on the front. The result is this rolling action that will cause the damage. Water always goes through brick. It is naturally porous and will leak. If you are experiencing moisture issues as a result then the flashing and weep hole details that are placed both between the brick at the floor, door and window areas have either plugged or have been painted over not allowing the moisture to escape from behind the brick. The people you got in have no idea of what they are speaking of if they are simply suggesting sealing the surface. You need to find and ole-timer mason that understands how to fix or contact a structural engineer that specializes in brick applications to get the proper details needed to correct this issue. Otherwise you will end up destroying the brick wall even more.Helpful Reply
-
-
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com on Dec 10, 2011Here is an excerpt link from BIA regarding brick re-pointing. http://www.gobrick.com/Portals/25/docs/Publications/Brick%20Briefs/Repointing%20Brick%20Masonry.pdfHelpful Reply
-
Related Discussions
Hello, I have an o,d metal trunk that has rust all over, how would you
Clean the rust off? Thanks
I want to get rid of a trumpet vine that is growing on my home.
How do you get rid of Trumpet Vine. It is growing into the foundation of my house. I have tried pulling it out, round up, vinegar and salt. Please share your knowled... See more
How can you make a regular sized door fit into a mobile home frame?
The back door to my mobile home is a an odd size - specific to mobile homes. They are extraordinarily expensive. Is there some way to cut down a regular sized door to... See more
What can I do with this DVD stand?
I have a DVD stand that I am trying to repurpose instead of trash. Any ideas?
Blackout curtains behind vertical blinds
I have two 6' patio doors, and I want to add blackout curtains to keep the sun/cold out. What is the best way to hang them, and what can I use to push the curtains ba... See more
What’s your favorite flower?
Let's brighten up our day with some floral beauty! Flowers come in so many shapes, sizes, and colors, and everyone has a favorite. We want to know: What is your favor... See more
Should I paint or stain my oak kitchen cabinets?
I was wondering if you could help me with something -- I have an entirely oak kitchen. I know it's the rage now to paint or gel stain cabinets. I've been considering ... See more