When carrying out brick restoration works, it is essential to follow the guidelines for the conservation principles. The use of appropriate methods and materials is taken into account. Other important aspects are the craft knowledge and skills.
Brick Cleaning
Almost every renovation project requires brick cleaning service. It is the first step of a process to restore the original appearance, colour and intricate architectural detail of the building.
For brick cleaning, we use environmentally friendly, non-destructive solutions.
We use one method to remove dirt caused by harsh weather, traffic pollution from soft red bricks, and another for general neglect, moss and algae from yellow stock bricks.
Thanks to the fact that we have several types of equipment that allows us to clean each surface safely, we can choose the cleaning method depending on the surface to be cleaned and the type of dirt to be removed. This allows us to achieve optimal results every time.
Brick Paint Removal
If there is a need for old, peeling, discoloured or messy paint to be removed, then we use the DOFF superheated steam system. The advantages of this system are the total no damage to the surface, and the paint removal process takes place without the use of chemicals.
Even the smallest cracks in masonry paint will allow moisture to penetrate the brickwork and gradually destroy its surface.
Removing the paint from the exterior brickwork should be carried out as soon as possible to prevent severe erosion risks.
Brick Repair
Eroded or damaged bricks are repaired or replaced by us depending on the degree of damage. Replaced bricks match the colour and shape of damaged bricks. We repair bricks in a way that ensures durability, and the colour of repairs matching the brick.
Bricks which are eroded and gauged for replacing are cut out. Bricks same in shape, colour and texture are used for replacing.
Next step is brick repointing, which restores and enhances the water resistance and energy performance of bricks and mortar of your property.
Brick Pointing
The first phase of brick repointing is to recreate joints between bricks for the brick repointing, by forming a neat recess. Depending on the hardness of the old pointing, we use various types of raking out tools. When cement mortar is required for removal, angle grinders equipped with diamond blades of the thickness of the joint are used for this operation. Angle grinders are also equipped with heavy-duty dust collectors to minimalise dust spreading through the restored and neighbour’s properties. Joints are recreated carefully and skilfully to avoid damaging bricks.
For repointing, we use lime mortar. The soft and porous properties of lime mortar provide certain advantages when working with softer building materials.
Finally when joints are made clean of the remaining dust, then repointing with a chosen type and colour of pointing starts.
The most popular types of brick pointing are:
- Weather struck pointing (will give a great resistance to adverse weather)
- Flush pointing (it will give a rough, "old look" appearance)
- Ribbon cut pointing (will give a regular joint width to irregular brick and stone masonry)
- Tuckpointing (on the mortar in colour of the bricks, a lime putty mortar is applied and then the top and bottom edges of the joints are cut parallel)