How to Maintain Your Brick Siding for Long-Lasting Curb Appeal

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Your Basic Brick Siding Maintenance Plan
   • a. Gentle Cleaning
   • b. Mortar Health
   • c. Water Management
   • d. Vegetation Control
   • e. Small Repair
3. Adjusting to Your Climate 
   • Snow and Cold
   • Rainy or Wet Weather
   • Hot, Dry Weather
4. Keep Your Brick Siding Looking Its Best

Maintain your brick siding in good condition to be able to enjoy curb appeal in the future. The grime, mold, and dirt cause it to lose its glow, and therefore, it is at times washed using a small concentration of detergent in an attempt to keep it naturally beautiful.

Mortar damage or cracking inspection is done to preserve structural integrity and keep out water. Weather protection may be additionally imparted by a sealant. Great-looking maintenance, however, does not come amiss, either! It will add years of life to your brick siding.

Our team at TurnKey Patio offers expert siding maintenance and reliable service to keep your brick siding in top shape. Call us today to get started!

Key Takeaways

• This is how to maintain your brick siding in its wonderful, long-lasting, curb-appealing state. Cleaning, inspection for cracks and damage, and a spot patch repair are all included in your maintenance.
• How to soft wash your individual brick. No scrub brushes or abrasive chemicals because you will destroy the surface and integrity of the bricks.
• Don’t go out the door without taking your mortar along — get on out there and re-point those mortar joints. Repair damage before it’s too late in an attempt to prevent water seepage.
• Water control is a must. Clean downspouts and gutters, seal gaps and cracks, and make drainage tightly positive to shield your brick siding.
• Tune your maintenance based on your area’s weather. They use weatherproof sealants and see how your brick siding will hold up to something other than storms and freezes.
• Watch out for your kind of brick, clay, concrete, or engineered, to specifically tune cleaning and maintenance. Each of them will have its own maintenance requirements to keep them sturdy and looking good.

Your Basic Brick Siding Maintenance Plan

Brick siding is a strong and common option for residences, but it needs to be maintained well so it will remain so. Your routine maintenance not only prolongs the life of your siding but also protects it from damage and costly repairs. The following are the steps on how to maintain your brick siding in good condition.

1. Gentle Cleaning

It must be cleaned of dirt, dust, and debris. Gently spray a soft spray garden hose or cloth to avoid damaging the bricks. No chemicals or hard brushes should be used because these will damage the finish on the brick in the future. Cleaners must be handled accordingly. It is safer and more advisable for your structure.

Just sweep lightly away from the joints with a gentle brush. Test first on a small patch! Clean in moderate weather, spring or autumn ideally, for optimum performance and to avoid drying out or freezing.

2. Mortar Health

Mortar joints should be inspected periodically to verify that they are tight. Spaces or cracks in the mortar should be repaired immediately so that your house does not become structurally weaker.

Repointing, or re-fixing with new mortar, existing old mortar in position, is critical in giving support. Good quality mortar of the same type already present should be used only.

3. Water Management

Gutter and downspout cleaning should be performed regularly to allow water to drain away from the siding. Foundation puddling will speed up the breakdown of bricks.

Seal cracks or openings before winter to avoid insulating bricks having freeze-thaw damage.

4. Vegetation Control

Cut back plants and trees to prevent them from touching the siding. Excessive plant growth holds water and results in mold or algae development. Avoid planting water plants near the base.

5. Small Repairs

Small cracks or chips need to be filled immediately to prevent the damage from spreading. These will prove to be expensive repairs if not fixed. New matching bricks should be employed to replace the old ones. Loose or deteriorated mortar should be tightened as a way of keeping the overall life and integrity of the curb appeal and siding.

Adjusting to Your Climate

How to take care of your brick siding is all about adjusting maintenance to your own climate. Climates require different ways of doing things to have the outside of your house in the best possible condition. This is how to adjust your maintenance schedule best:

• Snow and Cold

Preserve your brick facing from freeze-thaw damage, which can result in spalling or cracking. Seal with an excellent permeating sealer that excludes moisture but also allows water in wood to escape by evaporation.

• Rainy or Wet Weather

Excess water will enhance mildew or mold on the outside of the brick. Use weatherproof sealants that will keep the water away and allow good drainage around your house so it won’t flow under the foundation.

• Hot, Dry Weather

Eventually, direct sunlight will blacken or weaken mortar. Apply UV-resistant sealers. Based on your climate, inspect mortar joints for erosion or cracking and seal right away. Plan your irrigation so that it will not flood at the bottom of your siding, since water will weaken the brick.

Keep Your Brick Siding Looking Its Best

Maintaining brick siding not only keeps the home secure but also preserves its charm throughout the year. With the right care, brick can remain strong and visually appealing for decades. It’s easier than you might think to keep it looking its best. A little upkeep goes a long way in protecting its timeless beauty. Start early, and enjoy lasting curb appeal season after season.

Our team at TurnKey Patio is ready to help keep your brick siding beautiful and durable for years to come. Contact us today to get started.