Source: Homes and Gardens.

Whether full brick or just a facade, this early-summer task is essential.

Brick houses may be sturdier than traditional wood-framed builds, but they need frequent maintenance to keep them stable. Most importantly, homeowners are being urged to check the mortar at the start of each summer.

Why? Contractors warn that wet, freezing winters are doing a number on our structures, reducing the structural integrity of our homes while bringing down the aesthetic appeal.

FYI – “Tuckpointing” is used for the method of repairing and restoring mortar joints in brickwork, primarily for aesthetic and preventative maintenance purposes. It involves removing old, deteriorated mortar and replacing it with new mortar, often with a contrasting color, to create a clean, visually appealing appearance. This process not only enhances the look of brick structures but also helps to prevent water damage and maintain the structural integrity of the masonry.

Why is tuckpointing essential?

Again, from Homes and Gardens…

Kevin Brown, heritage property renovator at The Heritage Window Company, begins, “If you have ever spotted crumbling brick and mortar outside your property, it’s nearly always down to a lack of pointing maintenance, made worse by freeze-thaw damage in the chilly months.”

“Freeze-thawing happens when bricks and mortar absorb moisture from the rain in winter, eventually turning to ice in the evening, therefore causing the brick to expand and crack the surrounding mortar,” Kevin explains. It is a lot like frozen water pipes, but across your home.

To read the full article, please click the link to Homes and Garden’s website.