Doing some odd jobs around a house build back in the late 20’s. It’s brick & has the double wall with a small space between the two, (a technique used for venting I believe).
Anyhow the mortar has loosened, crumbled & fallen out in some areas on the outside and a few times has been dutifully tucked & pointed in years past which is what I was doing yesterday. The old mortar certainly is portland but on the whole is much grainier and softer than any new & if you wipe your finger anywhere on the house along a good joint some of the surface sand falls away.
I came up with the notion to spray the whole house…the old brick that is, with a quality sealant meant for such a thing. This would help of course waterproof but also to encapsulate the sandy old mortar is my thinking.
Or would it be more a detriment as not to allow any condensed moisture out between the walls?
The brick is in fine shape and they are hard fired seconds for the visual effect, which leads me to believe that maybe the original mix of mortar was not quite right for that type of brick. Maybe back then less was known about that.
What about drilling ‘weep holes’ or little venting holes in a few places at the bottom for the wall the breathe better?
Replies
Seems to me that any "sealer" that consolidates the loose stuff would necessasarily form a film. Do you want that?
Silicone on the other hand would repel water while not leaving a "Finish".
I dunno, just bumping ya around.
Drill weeps? if there is no flashing to direct water to them, they are just spider holes.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_oEx4-Mc4
I may do a test piece around the back & behind the shrubss.
Ring me at home so we don't have to typeout and defend ourselves, I got a plan from a mason.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_oEx4-Mc4
The world of people goes up and
down and people go up and down with
their world; warriors have no business
following the ups and downs of their
fellow men.