Bricks add elegance and beauty to your home and landscape, and their durability makes them a top material choice for home exteriors. Since they’re constantly exposed to the elements, it’s not uncommon for bricks to become stained or discolored, but they don’t have to stay that way. Fortunately, there are several ways to restore your brick’s lovely red hue, but first, you need to know the source of the problem. Let’s look at some brick discoloration facts so you can get yours fixed quickly and effectively.
What Causes Brick Discoloration?
Despite being made of durable, long-lasting materials, bricks experience a lot of wear and tear over the years. Sun exposure and contact with various outdoor elements can fade or become stained over time. Several substances can cause discoloration on bricks, including coming in contact with harsh minerals, hard water, and even sunlight. If your bricks become discolored, it’s important to find the source of the problem to have them repaired appropriately. It’s also important to educate yourself on these brick discoloration facts, so you know the source of your problem and can solve it quickly. Additionally, knowing the source will ensure that you don’t have to deal with the same problem again.
Sun
Bricks have exposure to the sun for 12 or more hours each day, and the sun’s harsh effects can gradually cause their red hue to change and fade. Bricks discolored by sunlight often turn yellow-orange, and their vibrant color can become dull. The sun in Fort Worth, TX is especially brutal, and it can cause significant color loss to bricks outside. If you notice your bricks begin to fade to yellow-orange, it’s time to call a professional for masonry repair. They’ll be able to restore your bricks to their original color.
Salt
If your bricks endure hard water exposure, they can be susceptible to water stains. These stains look like white powder, and they’re a result of a chemical reaction called efflorescence. This chemical reaction occurs when your bricks encounter exposure to salt and water, and it leaves behind unsightly stains that make your bricks look unclean. Many homes in Fort Worth, TX have hard water, so it’s not uncommon to have this discoloration appear on your bricks. Luckily, these stains are reasonably simple for a professional to remove.
Lime
One of the lesser-known brick discoloration facts is that lime can also cause white, chalky stains. Lime run, often mistaken for efflorescence, occurs when large amounts of water dissolve calcium on a brick’s surface. For example, the lime run can appear due to a sprinkler spraying constantly on one area of a brick wall. When this happens, it causes white, chalky stains, much like those left from salt. Luckily, a professional can remove these powdery, drip-like stains from your bricks, so they’re good as new.
Mold
Here in Fort Worth, TX, the climate can cause white mold to grow on the surface of your bricks outside. Sometimes this mold is mistaken for efflorescence since they look similar. The difference is that efflorescence, resulting from lime and salt, is simple to remove. Although easy to remove, a professional should take care of the mold. Mold spores can cause health problems when disturbed, so it’s best to call a professional for its removal if you suspect that mold has discolored your bricks.
Corrosion
If you spot rust or orange-colored stains on your bricks, you’ll want to get them checked out immediately. Rust or orange-colored stains are a sign of corrosion, indicating a structural issue, which can be serious. It could also be due to poor bricklaying or even faulty equipment. If you notice rust-colored stains on your bricks, make sure you get them inspected by a professional as soon as possible. They’ll be able to repair or provide brick tuck pointing services to your existing bricks.
Contact Brick Experts in Dallas – Fort Worth, TX Today!
Your brick exterior should bring a sense of elegance and charm to your home. If your bricks are discolored or faded, we’ll make them look new again. We’ll inspect your bricks to determine the cause and restore them to their natural red hue. Here at Brick Experts, we know how to restore and repair masonry so you can be proud of your home’s exterior. Learn more about our services, and contact us today. We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer satisfaction, and we’ll give you a free no-obligation quote.
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