Understanding how to care for older brick, stone, or concrete is crucial in maintaining your property’s historic charm.
- Inspect the condition of masonry walls, piers, foundations and chimneys for cracks, tilting, shifting, bulging, open joints, crumbling mortar or other deterioration.
- Do not allow water to puddle or disperse from downspouts at the foundation of a building. Prevent deterioration by sloping ground away from the building to allow proper drainage. Remove plants that retain moisture at the base of the building.
- Unpainted masonry should remain unpainted, and commercial sealants or waterproof coatings should not be applied. Such coatings can trap moisture within. Moisture problems in masonry walls are best handled by addressing the source of water infiltration. It’s best to consult a historic masonry expert to help diagnosis problems and provide solutions appropriate to the age and materials of the building.
- Only clean masonry when necessary to halt deterioration or remove heavy soiling. Employ the gentlest means possible and use only low‐pressure water and a mild detergent.