Posts Tagged ‘ brick ’

All About Brick and Brickwork Contractors

Thursday, August 4th, 2016

Brick is a special material. After all, it can stand up to even the fiercest huffing and puffing!

A brickwork contractor is a mason that specializes in using brick to build structures. Brickwork contractors are highly skilled trades people that can create some of the most beautiful buildings you’ll lay eyes on. Brick is a timeless material, and the quality of brickwork is reflected in historic structures that have lasted over fifteen hundred years. Whether you’re making an addition to an existing structure or building something new entirely, employing a skilled brickwork contractor is a sound investment. Here’s what you need to know about brick and how they’re used to build things. (more…)

Posted in Brick

How to Remove Paint Streaks from Bricks

Wednesday, February 17th, 2016

Remove unsightly paint streaks carefully.

If the beautiful brick facade of your home is plagued by untidy-looking paint streaks, there is a definite solution. Follow these steps to keep your brickwork beautiful. Many consider options like sandblasting or acid treatment, and wonder if this is the sort of home repair they should even attempt without professional help. Take these tips and guidelines in mind when it comes time to remove pesky paint streaks and keep your brick beautiful. (more…)

Posted in Brick, Brick

Brick Veneer vs. Solid Brick

Friday, January 29th, 2016

Which should you go with: brick veneer or solid brick?

Brick veneer and solid brick structures use some of the same construction materials, but their installation techniques are different. Brick veneer is not, contrary to popular belief, composed of thin pieces of brick though it looks almost identical to a solid brick structure. Brick veneer is constructed from steel or wooden framing, covered with wood sheathing or insulation. A single layer of brick is built near each exterior wall and held fast with metal ties. Veneer brick does not support the structure of the house but serves an entirely cosmetic function. There are many benefits and advantages to this method. (more…)

Posted in Brick, Brick

How to Clean Interior Brickwork

Friday, December 18th, 2015

Make sure that you are cleaning your interior brickwork safely!

You may have read our blog on cleaning exterior brickwork. The methods listed there are great for cleaning walls and walkways outside, but if you’re planning on cleaning inside brickwork, you’ll need to follow a different set of instructions. DelPrete Masonry is here to help you keep all of your brickwork looking as clean and new as possible! You may have a fireplace in your home that you’re thinking of firing up to use for roasting marshmallows or making popcorn. Or perhaps you have a rustic brick wall in your kitchen that needs a good cleaning. When brickwork is in your home, it’s both important to keep it clean as well as use safe cleaning methods. Follow these methods to have pristine, safe interior brickwork! (more…)

Posted in Blog, Brick, Brick

How to Clean Exterior Brickwork

Sunday, November 22nd, 2015

If your brickwork looks like it needs a good cleaning, make sure that you’re using the safest and most effective cleaning methods!

Bricks can be either sealed or unsealed; of course, unsealed bricks require more maintenance to keep up their appearance. Exterior bricks especially should be cleaned regularly. With winter approaching, exterior bricks easily build up salt, dirt, and grime. Make sure that your brickwork is looking its best with our cleaning tips.

Bucket and Brush Method

The bucket and brush method of cleaning is the most widely used and efficient means of cleaning brickwork. It does not require advanced equipment or skill, and it is easy and quick. Here are the steps required to clean your brickwork with this method:

If your masonry is brand new, wait at least a week to give it its first cleaning. Use a scraping tool to rough away any hardened particles of mortar.
Use a generous amount of water to saturate the brick wall. This will ensure that the wall does not develop any stains from cleaning, as dry bricks absorb dirt into their brick pores. Using a regular hose, and make sure all the bricks as well as the base of the masonry is drenched.
Starting from the top, use a long-handled fiber brush to scrub cleaning solution onto the bricks. Sure Clean, Goldblatt Brick Bath, and Superior 800 series are all good choices for cleaning solutions. Be sure to ask your professional mason for their recommended ratios of solution to water.
After scrubbing, allow the solution to sit and soak for three to six minutes. After soaking, wash off with the hose. Make sure that you’re washing only small parts of the brickwork at a time, rather than the entire wall or walkway. This will ensure that the bricks don’t dry and absorb stains that are impossible to remove.
Tip: if your bricks are old and weathered, a better way to clean them is to simply use a duster or broom to sweep off dirt and grime. If you think your old bricks can withstand a tougher cleaning, start by testing a small corner first.

Keep Your Masonry Looking Good with Del Prete Masonry!

While there are many other materials that we use at Del Prete Masonry, we’re not about to abandon concrete anytime soon. It has proven its worth many times over and we know that we can bring you a solid masonry structure with it. To find out more about your masonry options including concrete masonry, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Posted in Blog, Brick, Brick