Masonry is a beautiful material that can be preserved with the right products. Brick masonry waterproofing helps prevent hairline cracks, mortar deterioration, and hazardous mold growth in structures.
While ordinary sealants cover a surface, brick staining products penetrate deeply into the structure and can be layered and combined to replicate virtually any color. Choose a quality brick waterproofing product for your next project.
Moisture Barrier
Your crawlspace contains numerous pipes supplying water and electricity to your home. When moisture infiltrates these pipes, they can rot inside and around them. This can result in rusted or broken wires and cause your pipes to burst. Moisture barriers stop this from happening and increase their lifespan. An unsealed crawlspace is also an open invitation to pests and wildlife seeking shelter and food. A moisture barrier seals off your crawlspace, keeping these animals out of your home.
A moisture barrier is different from an air or vapor barrier. A vapor barrier safeguards against gas, while a moisture barrier blocks air and liquid.
Structural Damage
Masonry materials are highly porous and absorb a certain amount of moisture, but too much can lead to problems. When masonry absorbs too much water, it can damage or even collapse bricks and mortar joints. It can also wick moisture into your home’s wood framing and drywall. This leads to hairline cracks in brick walls and masonry chimneys, deterioration of foundation walls, rotting decks, and dangerous mold and mildew.
A masonry waterproofing service can help prevent these types of costly structural damages. It can also reduce the frequency of repointing and other maintenance tasks like brick repairs. It will also extend the life of your masonry wall and ensure that it looks its best for years to come.
Efflorescence
Efflorescence is that chalky white residue on the surface of masonry materials, especially bricks, concrete, and stucco. Essentially, it results from water absorbing soluble salts and bases from within a masonry wall, which then rises to the surface through capillary action when the water evaporates.
Three conditions must be present for efflorescence to form:
- The building must be constructed with a porous material like brick, clay brick, concrete, or stucco.
- The material must contain soluble compounds picked up by moisture and carried to the surface.
- The water must evaporate and leave behind the resulting salt deposits, also known as efflorescence.
The good news is that removing this unsightly residue is relatively easy. However, the ideal solution is not to remove efflorescence after it occurs but rather to implement better construction practices that can prevent its formation in the first place. This includes ensuring the use of vapor barriers, proper flashing and sealing techniques, and adequate hydration of the cement used in mortar and grout.
Mold
The best way to keep mold from growing in your brick home is to minimize the moisture these pesky fungi need to survive. Water, combined with spores and a food source, allows mold to form and grow in your home.
Regularly cleaning your home and checking areas where high humidity levels, like bathrooms and basements, can be breeding grounds for mold, will help. Additionally, dehumidifiers and improving ventilation are proactive solutions to preventing mold growth. However, mold stains cannot permanently be removed entirely from brick walls, especially those exposed to moisture intrusion for an extended period. This is where masonry waterproofing comes in. Waterproofing your masonry wall will prevent mold, efflorescence, and deterioration of the frame and drywall that surround it. It will also allow your masonry to look as beautiful for as long as possible. Masonry is a construction technique that combines bricks and mortar to construct buildings and walls. It is often chosen for its durability and strength. It has been used in the building industry for thousands of years and is a practical construction material today.