Brick Repair Ideas - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

beerman · 05-11-2004, 10:59 AM

I have a brick foundation (approx. 9 feet high) on my multifamily that is weathering. It should have been repointed a while ago, and now bricks are breaking and flaking. It seems the brick was sandblasted for some reason before I had purchased it, and the remaining face is very porous.

I have had masons out to inspect it and they want to grind it, point it, and seal it, but I feel it will still look like crap because of the sandblasting. Structurally it is sound.

I would love to just fill the cracks, cap it, and put on a brick veneer. Any suggestions? It's an investment property, so I'm looking for the most bang for the buck.

Thanks.

onetime2 · 05-12-2004, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by beerman
I have a brick foundation (approx. 9 feet high) on my multifamily that is weathering. It should have been repointed a while ago, and now bricks are breaking and flaking. It seems the brick was sandblasted for some reason before I had purchased it, and the remaining face is very porous.

I have had masons out to inspect it and they want to grind it, point it, and seal it, but I feel it will still look like crap because of the sandblasting. Structurally it is sound.

I would love to just fill the cracks, cap it, and put on a brick veneer. Any suggestions? It's an investment property, so I'm looking for the most bang for the buck.

Thanks.

Most bang for the buck? Paint it and seal it.

Danofre · 05-12-2004, 08:56 AM

At home depot there is this stuff called thoroseal (sp?). It is in the aisle with the deck sealant. It is sort of cement. You mix the bag with another liquid that it is sold with. You can paint it on but I used a trowel. Covers and seals great. White.
Then you can follow through with DryLock. Should work great.

kazoo · 05-12-2004, 11:19 AM

The stuff Danofre is speaking of is a waterproofing cement. Thoroseal is mixed with Acryl 60 to improve bond and physical properties of the admixture. Although I doubt Depot will have the full range, Thoroseal is available in white, gray, pearl gray, and 10 other stock colors. This is but one of the many specialty cementitious repair and rehab products marketed under the Thoro® brand. They and Conproco® produce top shelf stuff that have always worked well for me. Your best bet is to go to a masonry supply house and explain the situation. One of the guys behind the counter was probably a brickie before you were born, and they can tell you which specialty product will solve your problem and give you the look you want.

Going back to your OP, I sandblasted the brick half wall on my first house to get rid of the paint on it. After that, I repointed the joints and sealed it with a clear water repellant. I've forgotten the name of that product, but it was a liquid which was applied using a pump tank. It looked good then, and has weathered well (~15 years).

beerman · 05-12-2004, 12:18 PM

Thanks everybody,

The place looks great as raw brick, so I'd rather not paint it. If that sealant worked that well after pointing, that's probably what i will use.

Any other suggestions?

kazoo · 05-12-2004, 06:41 PM

Suggestions for clear sealants:

Okon W-2
Xypex
Thoroclear or Thorosiloxane 8S
Conproco Shield M or Shield W
VIP Ombrella 9100

Some of my technical binders are a few years old-checking with concrete/masonry supplier will deliver the most current data.

05-11-2004, 10:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
beerman Upright Location: Bristol, CT	Brick Repair Ideas I have a brick foundation (approx. 9 feet high) on my multifamily that is weathering. It should have been repointed a while ago, and now bricks are breaking and flaking. It seems the brick was sandblasted for some reason before I had purchased it, and the remaining face is very porous. I have had masons out to inspect it and they want to grind it, point it, and seal it, but I feel it will still look like crap because of the sandblasting. Structurally it is sound. I would love to just fill the cracks, cap it, and put on a brick veneer. Any suggestions? It's an investment property, so I'm looking for the most bang for the buck. Thanks.

05-12-2004, 11:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
kazoo Psycho Location: Where the night things are	The stuff Danofre is speaking of is a waterproofing cement. Thoroseal is mixed with Acryl 60 to improve bond and physical properties of the admixture. Although I doubt Depot will have the full range, Thoroseal is available in white, gray, pearl gray, and 10 other stock colors. This is but one of the many specialty cementitious repair and rehab products marketed under the Thoro® brand. They and Conproco® produce top shelf stuff that have always worked well for me. Your best bet is to go to a masonry supply house and explain the situation. One of the guys behind the counter was probably a brickie before you were born, and they can tell you which specialty product will solve your problem and give you the look you want. Going back to your OP, I sandblasted the brick half wall on my first house to get rid of the paint on it. After that, I repointed the joints and sealed it with a clear water repellant. I've forgotten the name of that product, but it was a liquid which was applied using a pump tank. It looked good then, and has weathered well (~15 years). __________________ There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity -Big Daddy

05-12-2004, 06:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
kazoo Psycho Location: Where the night things are	Suggestions for clear sealants: Okon W-2 Xypex Thoroclear or Thorosiloxane 8S Conproco Shield M or Shield W VIP Ombrella 9100 Some of my technical binders are a few years old-checking with concrete/masonry supplier will deliver the most current data. __________________ There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity -Big Daddy

05-12-2004, 08:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
Danofre Upright Location: NYC	At home depot there is this stuff called thoroseal (sp?). It is in the aisle with the deck sealant. It is sort of cement. You mix the bag with another liquid that it is sold with. You can paint it on but I used a trowel. Covers and seals great. White. Then you can follow through with DryLock. Should work great.

05-12-2004, 12:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
beerman Upright Location: Bristol, CT	Thanks everybody, The place looks great as raw brick, so I'd rather not paint it. If that sealant worked that well after pointing, that's probably what i will use. Any other suggestions?