Red brick refurb

Yikes83

Hey all, just bought a small red brick terraced house, the brickwork outside looks like it hasn't been maintained too well over the years. The house is around 100 years old, what would the best approach be in getting the brickwork cleaned/refurbished? As the brickwork is so old I assume it's not just a case of power hosing!

Thanks

Handsandtools

Yikes83 wrote: »

Hey all, just bought a small red brick terraced house, the brickwork outside looks like it hasn't been maintained too well over the years. The house is around 100 years old, what would the best approach be in getting the brickwork cleaned/refurbished? As the brickwork is so old I assume it's not just a case of power hosing!

Thanks

Depending on brick it can be cleaned by washing or sanding.

Dublin City Handyman

Look up tuck pointing.

Calahonda52

unless the actual mortar needs restoration, I would leave well enough alone, it has survived the past 100 and you run the risk of damaging the fabric of the house unless the folk doing it know what they are about.
Brickwork is, except for the mortar, maintenance free.

Bored_lad

My advice is not to do anything without getting someone in who is an expert in this. Don't just get in any handyman or builder as they can do more damage than good and end up costing you more in the long run. The chances are the brink didn't need any work besides maybe a small bit of repointing in places.

Yikes83

Many thanks for the replies, yes it just looks like a small bit of repointing and a clean. If anyone could recommend someone they've used to do this well could they PM me please?

usmanhaidri

Yes it has to be refurbish by any means.

GeorgeOrwell

Be careful about cleaning house bricks. Many bricks (especially Victorian Dublin yellow bricks) have a glazing on them.

If sandblasted, the glazing is scratched off and the brick is porous. There's really not much use in having a wall which lets in water.....