How Does Brick Restoration Work?

CONTENTS

• What is brick restoration?
• Why is brick restoration necessary?
• Does brick restoration repair a property?
• Can you restore brick yourself?
• Should you clean old brick?
• What to do if your brick needs restoring
• Get in touch

Many homes across the UK were built in the last century, with other buildings like churches still standing since the 6th century. Over time, these buildings will naturally decay due to the age of building materials and weather. The restorations of these structures utilise modern methods.

Here at ICE Cleaning, our technicians offer a thorough and professional brick cleaning service. We employ modern technology and solutions to restore brick and stone surfaces, ensuring the structure is stable and safe to inhabit again.

Read on to learn more about brick restoration and why we need it.

What is brick restoration?

Brick restoration is more commonly known as repointing. This is a process that restores a brick’s appearance and structural integrity, preventing further decay. This includes repairing or replacing loose mortar, placing new bricks, and reinstating the original colour. 

Through this process, additional changes are made to the brick surface, including various waterproofing methods. These aim to prevent future water-related damage like the freeze-thaw effect and mould build-up, which quickly results in deterioration.

Why is brick restoration necessary?

Because so many older structures in the UK have historical relevance, this restoration process is integral to both safety and history. Victorian homes will have decayed or loose mortar, requiring restoration to keep value high and repairs low.

When a property is restored or repointed, it helps the brick property last for decades and restores its original look and style. Without frequent maintenance or repointing, the repair costs will increase, and it may become too dangerous to restore in the future.

Does brick restoration repair a property?

If you are repointing a property with a decayed structure and interior, the repair process is costly and long. Although brick restoration can improve structural integrity and safety, this will only be one part of the process.

Depending on the age of the structure, it may suffer from natural damp or ventilation issues which require a lot of repointing efforts. These include building cavity walls and installing new foundations and insulation efforts.

Can you restore brick yourself?

Brick restoration is not something you can do by yourself without a qualification. This process should be conducted by brick cleaning experts who identify the issues of the building and make the correct decisions to restore it.

Restoring the brick alone could put you at risk of injury from cleaning solutions or loose bricks. Brick experts will have access to the tools and solutions necessary to do this, including connections to companies that offer revitalised historical bricks.

Some store-bought solutions like brick acids are too dangerous for an individual to use, as these may inflict chemical burns or damage the brick further. If your property is a historical structure, you must hire the professionals to handle it.

Should you clean old brick?

It can be tempting to clean brick yourself if you see a build-up of moss and dirt on the surface, but this is not recommended for older properties. Because the brick is aged and used weaker materials, this might do more harm than good in the long run, ruining the surface permanently.

A specialist is needed to clean old brick, as doing it yourself might result in removing waterproof or protective paints and leaving it vulnerable to efflorescence. This may also lead to damp and mould build-up, which is difficult to reverse.

What to do if your brick needs restoring

Instead of trying to solve any decay yourself, you can start by identifying the source of it. By finding any cracks or signs of deterioration, you could inform the brick cleaning expert, creating the best plan of action.

If you believe your property is historical or a grade-listed building, you may be entitled to a grant from your local council. They will provide resources to access specialist help and building materials along with their funding.

Do not attempt to clean or fix any damage yourself as doing so exacerbates the damage present. It is best to leave brick alone unless you are qualified and have other experts assisting on-site. You can ensure the building will be safer by contacting a brick cleaning company.

Get in touch

Our experts here at ICE Cleaning offer high-quality brick restoration and cleaning services, revitalising historical and modern buildings by cleaning bricks efficiently. We can restore old mortar and bricks, advising you on how to properly maintain your structure in the future.

To learn more, you can talk to our team at 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk where we help you create the best plan for your brick property. Our technicians are available nationwide and may be on-site within a few hours in an emergency. We are open 24/7, 365 days a year, including bank holidays.