Dos and Donts for Successful Restoration of Old Brick Buildings

Why Invest in Brick Building Restoration?

Historic masonry structures, like your old brick building, hold immense cultural value. Taking the necessary steps to properly restore and preserve the historic brickwork will help maintain its significance for decades. The benefits are:

Increased Value

Restoring an old brick building rather than letting it deteriorate can significantly increase its market value. Done right, a restoration can potentially add tens of thousands to the sale price if you decide to sell. Even if you keep the building, you’re making an investment in an appreciating asset.

Curb Further Damage

By addressing issues early before they get worse, you’re preventing expensive problems down the road. Small repairs today can save you from major reconstruction costs tomorrow if water damage or structural problems are left unchecked. A restored building needs less ongoing maintenance too.

Historic Preservation

If your building has architectural or historical significance, a careful restoration following preservation guidelines maintains that heritage for future generations. You’re playing an active role in protecting our shared cultural history. Communities often appreciate such stewardship efforts.

So in the end, restoration pays dividends through higher property value, avoiding bigger future bills, preserving community heritage, and the pride that comes from breathing new life into historic buildings. The upfront investment is well worth it for the long-term returns.

Pre-restoration Phase

Before beginning any restoration project, conduct a comprehensive assessment of the building’s condition. A qualified masonry repair contractor can accurately identify issues like cracks, water damage and brick or mortar deterioration. Ignoring underlying problems will only lead to further expensive repairs in future.

It’s crucial to determine the scope of necessary work by analyzing both the exterior and interior of the structure.

Many issues lurk behind decorative finishes and require inspection. Substandard or failing materials may need full replacement. Structural evaluations verify load-bearing components can safely support restoration.

Common problems seen in aging brick include loose or spalling bricks, damaged or missing mortar joints and moisture intrusion signs. Issues left unaddressed will progressively worsen. Investing in a detailed pre-repair evaluation saves money and hassle versus overlooking something that later demands major reconstruction costs. Only licensed masonry contractors can properly diagnose complex masonry problems and design code-compliant solutions.

But before starting restoration work, you must understand the following Dos and Don’ts.

Do’s for Successful Brick Building Restoration

When restoring old brick buildings, certain best practices should always be followed to avoid common pitfalls. Here are some key do’s:

• Use appropriate and similar materials. For restoration authenticity and long-term performance, source replacement bricks closely matching the original in composition, size and color. New mortar joints must be formulated to last centuries like the original lime-based materials.
• Prioritize structural integrity. Assess and stabilize any foundation or load-bearing issues before aesthetic work. Reinforce weak points to avoid potential safety hazards during brickwork restoration.
• Employ gentle cleaning methods. Harsh chemicals or abrasives can irreparably damage fragile old bricks and mortar. Test alternative methods on sample areas first. Steam cleaning often works best for organic dirt buildup.
• Preserve as much original material as possible. Only replace severely deteriorated bricks and mortar as needed, filling voids with materials indistinguishable from the historic. Salvage usable bricks for future repairs.
• Hire professional, experienced restorers. Complex masonry restoration requires specialized skills. DIY jobs risk compromising the building’s integrity – enlist accredited local experts.
• Follow conservation guidelines. Seek approval from historical societies for restoration plans. Adhering to preservation standards maintains the building’s cultural heritage integrity.

Don’ts

To avoid restoration mistakes, certain practices should always be avoided when working on historic brick structures. Here is some key don’ts:

• Refrain from harmful cleaning methods. Acid washing, sandblasting or other abrasive techniques permanently scar delicate old bricks and mortar joints.
• Avoid unnecessary modernization. Resist updating features just for aesthetics – retain architectural authenticity and historic integrity.
• Never use inappropriate contemporary materials. Substitute modern bricks, mortars or coatings lack compatibility and longevity, compromising the building in the long run.
• Neglect safety measures. Implement fall protection, dry lay tarps and proper equipment when working at heights to avoid accidents on restoration sites.
• Rush the restoration process. Take time to plan details, source compatible materials, phase complex projects – quality restorations can’t be hurried.

Techniques Used in Brick Building Restoration

Specialized masonry restoration techniques address issues while retaining original fabric. Proper methods minimize repairs and maximize historical accuracy.

Traditional cleaning involves soft natural bristle brushes and biodegradable cleaners. Low-pressure water rinsing removes grime without damaging aged brick faces.

Skilled masons precisely extract deteriorated or damaged bricks using pneumatic tools. Replacement units are dry-laid for evaluation before trowel-mixing new lime mortar and installing permanently.

Brickwork Repointing replaces cracked, missing or crumbling mortar joints in a process called ‘raking out.’ New mortar is hand-tooled to exactly replicate aged surrounding bonding material.

Following brick restoration, coatings like waterproofing consolidate weak surfaces. Permeable formulas allow moisture evaporation to protect against spalling and freeze-thaw damage long-term.

Regular maintenance prevents deterioration recurrence. Inspecting for cracks, efflorescence or other material loss every few years and addressing small problems promptly forestalls future expensive repairs.

Summary

Old brick buildings deserve respect for withstanding the test of time through generations of use. Home and building owners can show this reverence through diligent restoration following best practices. Upholding structural integrity with appropriate materials preserves these landmarks as tangible parts of our shared cultural heritage. Thorough planning, expertise and avoidance of risky techniques keeps their enduring charm on prominent community display. With continued maintenance, thoughtfully restored masonry will serve communities proudly for many decades.