When it comes to cleaning your aging bricks there are a lot of different surface treatments you can choose. A surface treatment is a process applied to the surface of a material to make it stronger and better.
When it comes to cleaning your aging bricks there are a lot of different surface treatments you can choose. A surface treatment is a process applied to the surface of a material to make it stronger and better. This can be purely aesthetic or make it resistant to corrosion and water. Here are some different methods for treating your aging bricks. Which one should you choose?
Abrasive Plaster
With abrasive plaster, the mortar is applied to the wall and is scraped off with a brick trowel or steel brush. The surface is abraded with moist brick. This kind of brick needs to be frequently moistened. This process causes the surface to be smoothed off with abrasive brick. After the treatment, the surface becomes even. This look produces a white smooth brick wall for achieving both simplicity and sophistication.
Burlap Bag Smooth
In this simple surface treatment, the surface is processed with a burlap bag. The finished surface is restored after the treatment and the surface isn’t as covered in mortar. If you are looking for a look where the brick is more exposed, this can be a good choice. Exposed brick can be just as attractive as other potential looks.
Felt Plaster
In this treatment, the surface is given a gentle effect by plastering using a felt brush and rotating strokes. The finished surface becomes even when the treatment is complete. In this treatment, as little of the brick surface as possible should be covered in mortar. Thus, this technique creates a smooth and sophisticated look.
Scratch Coat
In this surface treatment, the mortar layer is spread thickly with the help of a screed plank or steel plank. The surface is processed by using a moist brush and diagonal movements. When the process is complete, the surface should be smoothed out and covered in a thin layer of mortar. Using this technique will create a distressed white brick wall effect.
Colorwash
One other technique that is often used is known as colorwash. To achieve the substance needed for colorwash, a mixture of potash alum, water, color, and some sort of glue are needed. Once developed, colorwash is similar to the substances used for wool dyeing. What can color wash do? It can help reinforce the layers of mortar used to hold the bricks together. Any remaining stains you might find on the brick can also be cleared away. Aging bricks will need more maintenance than newer bricks, so keep that in mind.
Choose Bricks and Del Prete Masonry
If you’re ready to upgrade your home and to utilize brick, Del Prete Masonry has the expertise to meet your needs. With more than 25 years of experience, Del Prete has done projects in and around the Baltimore area at Johns Hopkins and M&T Bank Stadium as well as Harford, Carroll, Anne Arundel and Howard Counties. To explore our residential or commercial services and to set up a consultation, please give us a call at 410-683-0650 or contact us online. To see examples of our work and get updates follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.
Tags: aging bricks, brick, surface treatments