Brick is attractive and fully capable of taking on the worst weather Delaware experiences, but even brick will deteriorate without appropriate care. While it’s easy to defer necessary maintenance, it’s not recommended. Water is brick’s worst enemy and, without the help of caulking services in Wilmington DE, extensive damage can occur.
Why Is Caulking Important?
Like most materials, the brick will expand and contract with weather changes. The mortar that binds the bricks together has very little ability to expand and contract without being damaged. In buildings where there are no expansion joints, the likelihood of mortar and brick damage is increased. That’s why builders included verticle expansion joints that are caulked. The caulking material is flexible and provides a way for structures to naturally expand without damage occurring.
When Does Caulking Need to Be Replaced?
Modern caulking products will last for several years before needing to be reapplied, but there may be times when some areas need to be touched up between applications. It’s always a good idea to have caulking services in Wilmington, DE evaluate a brick building to determine if there are issues present that need attention. The experts understand the dynamics of expansion and contraction and how the weather impacts brick structures.
What Type of Caulk Is Recommended?
There are several types of caulk available that will work, but building maintenance and restoration experts often recommend polyurethane caulk. Both latex and silicone exterior caulks are certainly serviceable, but polyurethane products have proven to last longer. Of course, every structure is somewhat different, so it’s a good idea to discuss the pros and cons of all options with a restoration expert before any work is started.
The Experts Use the Best Application Techniques
Again, not every building shares the same needs, so the application technique for the caulking product may vary somewhat, but the experts will choose the best caulk for a specific project and use proven application strategies. For example, foam rod may be installed to provide better support for the caulk itself. The idea is always to provide protection and, at the same time, extend the time before recaulking is needed again.
If you’ve got any questions about recaulking or tuckpointing a brick building, contact the experts for advice. For more information or to schedule an estimate for services, contact Mara Restoration.
