Caulking takes practice. With the correct tools and by reading the instructions, you'll soon develop the patience needed for a first-class caulking job. Also, check out these recommended manufacturers for your caulk purchases.
Q&A /
Caulks are one of the most basic building materials used in today's building and remodeling projects. However, the caulks themselves are highly advanced. The variety of caulking compounds available to the builder and homeowner today is almost overwhelming. There are caulks for stopping water and air infiltration, minimizing radon infiltration, sanitation purposes, temporary roof repairs, driveway and masonry wall crack filling, crack filling for painting and many other uses. Think of a use and caulk can probably "fill" it.
Silane or siloxane water repellents can be found at the following listed companies. Instead of using a silicone based sealer, which actually forms a film over the surface of your masonry, apply a penetrating water repellent to protect your masonry from water vapor.
Build a brick wall that will not let water enter your home. Here is what you need to know to construct a brick veneer system.
Sealing brick will remove the confusion the homeowner feels when they find a foundation or brick leak. Didn't they buy a weatherproof brick home? Where can these mysterious leaks be coming from? All of the mortar joints look tight. The brickwork appears sound. Is it the roof, a window, where...?
There are many articles written about tuckpointing how to, tuckpointing masonry and brick walls, or repointing. Some of the articles are written for the average homeowner, and some are written for the professional. They all contain great information. If you spend some time at the library and secure some of the following publications, you will obtain a wealth of information.
Mixing mortar for your brick repointing job will probably not mimic what you see on residential construction sites. The mortar mix you see in those bags is probably not going to match your existing mortar in color and strength. This is especially true if your house was built prior to the 1950's. Houses built prior to the 1950's used site-mixed mortars rich in lime. When mixing your own mortar, first mix a small batch of 7 to 8 ounces and keep track of your proportions.
Cracks in masonry work stand out like a sore thumb. Repair efforts to solve these blemishes are often shortsighted and done in a hurry. A repair person or homeowner will run to the hardware store and grab a bag of premixed mortar and try to fix the cracks in an afternoon. This is a recipe for aesthetic disaster. The mortar joints will be completed that afternoon. However, the repair results will very likely look like a scar running diagonally across the face of your house. Don't disfigure your home - take the time to do the repair properly.
Brick veneer literature gives you a quick education about how non-waterproof brick walls really are. Just do a little extra reading. I have listed a few articles and sources for brick veneer literature. There are too many to list them all. I have selected some key articles below.
Brick veneer houses are not waterproof. Does that information surprise you? Well, I can tell you that I was in a state of shock when I found this out about six years ago. Prior to that, I felt that brick veneer construction was very weather resistant. I used to tell my customers who built with brick that they need not worry about water infiltration, rot, etc. For a leakfree brick home use good flashing materials, weep holes and be sure to read up on the process.
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