Using Walnut Shells To Restore Your Home’s Brick Facade
Brick exteriors are low maintenance and have a distinct look. They do require some upkeep over the years, however.
Every few decades (depending on environmental and building conditions), the brick’s mortar should be repaired of cracks and loose joints.
This process is called “tuck pointing” and it’s an expensive job to be handled by professionals.
Some homes’ bricks are paint-covered. Not so long ago, a brick facade was considered to be old-fashioned so homeowners covered their bricks with white, red, or other colored paint.
With brick back in vogue, removing paint is a big business that requires a delicate touch.
To remove paint from brick, professionals will use walnut shells or another similarly soft blasting agent; sandblasting is too powerful and will make the brick more prone to erosion.
Corncob is another popular blasting agent for paint removal.
If you live in a neighborhood with a lot of brick homes, ask a neighbor for a recommendation or look in the Yellow Pages for a qualified mason. You can also reach out to me anytime — I’d be happy to make a referral to a mason I trust.
