Breathable Sealants To Keep Your Home Free Of Unwanted Moisture
It’s easy to see why so many homeowners love brick exteriors. Brick offers more consistent temperature control (for cooler summers and warmer winters), brick is solid and durable, and brick has a classic aesthetic that’s impossible to match. Still, that doesn’t mean bricks don’t require some maintenance. In fact, making a few smart decisions to address the up-keep of your brick facade can save you significant time and money in the future –– not to mention spare you of some real headaches. One of the best ways to ensure the quality of your bricks is to apply a brick sealant.
What to Look for in a Brick Sealant
Brick sealants work to eliminate long-term water damage that can ruin the structural integrity of brick walls. Though bricks are obviously hard, they’re also porous. So that means rain water, snow, and ice all have the potential to enter through small cracks and openings between the bricks. The best brick sealants should allow bricks to “breathe” and release moisture rather than absorbing it. That’s why we only trust Weather Guard when we seal brick ourselves. (Note: DO NOT use paint to “seal” a brick siding. This won’t protect the brick from water damage and will chip and peel within months.)
Applying Brick Sealant
There are many reasons to consider applying brick sealant to your home –– particularly if it’s ten years or older. As we mentioned, brick sealant protects brick from water damage and prevents leaks, cracks, and other issues within the facade that can compound quickly if not addressed early on. Additionally, brick sealants will clean and restore your bricks and negate the effects of weather on the color and appearance of your bricks. If your bricks appear to have a “faded” look to them, applying brick sealant can help return them to their original pigmentation.
Siloxane
It is well known that concrete, brick and masonry
What is ChimneySaver?
ChimneySaver is a concentration of a proprietary modified polysiloxane which was specifically designed for chimneys. ChimneySaver is the leading water repellent addressing the vapor permeable needs of chimneys and the severe weather conditions to which they are exposed.
What is the difference between ChimneySaver and other water repellents?
Since ChimneySaver is a photo-reactive chemical that does not depend on solids to achieve a water repellent effect, the surface remains vapor permeable. ChimneySaver is composed of 100% active ingredients which physically and chemically react with a surface. After a treated masonry surface has been exposed to ultraviolet light, the electrostatic charge of the surface is reversed to match the electrostatic charge of water. This photo-reactive process allows the treated surface to repel water similar to the way two identical poles of a magnet repel each other.
Most waterproofing agents are actually water sealers, which trap water vapors produced inside the chimney. If this water vapor cannot escape it will condense, freeze and accelerate freeze/thaw damage. Our water repellent does not evaporate or wash out and it consistently outperforms and outlives resins, silicones, acrylics, silanes and siloxanes.
Contact Brickworks Property Restoration
Applying brick sealant is something you can do on your own if so inclined. The key is to find a brick sealant that will work for your home –– as well as your budget. If you’re looking to seal your brick home, contact us at (586) 868-3234. We can help you pick out the perfect sealant for your home needs. Or, we can complete the project for you. When you call Brickworks, you can rest easy knowing that a trained, skilled professional will seal your bricks the right way. Simply taking this easy measure to maintain your bricks will help prevent larger issues down the road. So give us a call today!
