Exposed brickwork in a residential interior will definitely not leave you indifferent. Usually, opinions split from loud enthusiasm to sincere misunderstanding: “how can you live with THIS”. However, if you are a fan of industrial and vintage aesthetics, lofts and interiors with a twist, there is no doubt: if the walls in your home are made of brick, you definitely shouldn’t hide such beauty and rich texture!
Interior by Robert Jenny Design
Brick will never look banal, too philistine or pretentious and will be a great backdrop for both modern and classic furniture. At the same time, you do not have to leave untouched masonry everywhere, one accent wall is enough in any room to your taste: from the living room and bedroom to the kitchen and bathroom. You don't have to worry about leveling, puttying and finishing brick wall, but some cosmetic procedures still have to be carried out. Let's deal with everything in order!
Photo: StruXture Photography
Cleaning and preparation of old brickwork
Brickwork, especially if it is old, must first be cleaned of old plaster and pollution. To do this, it is enough to spray a solution of vinegar with water or a solution of a small amount on the wall. washing powder with water and 30 gm salt and wipe it with a cloth. If the dirt is strong, you can try to wipe it off with a stiff brush, but this should be done carefully and somewhere on the edge. Only after making sure that the brick does not begin to crumble, move to the central sections of the wall.
Design by Laura Garner
Advice: caustic chemicals for cleaning brick walls should be used as carefully as possible and only in cases where it is simply impossible to do otherwise.
If the pollution is strong or if it is brick fireplace, you can use professional cleaners, for example: Neomid 550, Tiprom OTs, Antisoleks. Remember that they should be diluted with water and applied only to rubber gloves, taking care of the protection of the eyes from caustic substances.
Design by InDesign / Lori Ludwick
It is likely that the old brick will require additional grinding. This can be done with a grinder, a drill with a special nozzle, or a wooden block wrapped in sandpaper.
Bold decor: graffiti over brickwork, CityLoft interior
In rooms with high humidity, such as a bathroom or kitchen, brickwork needs special care pretreatment in order to prevent the appearance of fungus and mold on its surface.
Reminder: if the mortar between the bricks began to crumble, it should definitely be updated, especially when it comes to wet rooms.
Interior by Todd Arenson Construction
To strengthen the mortar, the seams between the bricks are cleared (“embroidered”) from the old mortar to a depth of about 2 cm, the surface is wiped with a damp cloth, and then filled with fresh mortar using a narrow spatula so that the surface is as smooth as possible. The process is laborious, however, you only have to do it once.
Photo: Corynne Pless
After a couple of days, when the grout between the seams dries, brick wall can be topcoated.
Masonry processing
The texture of a brick in the interior looks good on its own, however, this does not mean that its surface does not need to be processed, especially when it comes to a wall in the bathroom or an apron in the kitchen. This material is porous, which means that it will instantly absorb any splashes of grease, dirt, household chemicals and smells. Of course, your wall will not collapse from a couple of extra spots, but the aesthetic component will be spoiled.
Brick apron in the kitchen, design by Luxe Interior International
Processing with a special transparent composition will keep the surface in its original form and protect you from mold. What could it be?
Brick and tile can be quite harmoniously combined in one interior design British Standard by Plain English
You can protect stone and brick from moisture, detergents and grease using impregnate. This is a composition of polymers, siloxane compounds and carbohydrates, penetrating into the pores without clogging them, but polymerizing, which means that the material continues to breathe. It is easy to find on sale ecological compounds that are completely harmless for use in the kitchen, but will not allow stains from anything to appear on a brick wall.
Brick in the interior of the bathroom, designed by The Ransom Company
Advice: impregnation for a brick wall is preferable to the usual varnish and wax, as it does not clog the pores of the material and does not form a film on its surface, which will inevitably begin to wear off over time. Among the advantages of varnish can be attributed to its significantly lower cost.
Design by Impact Remodeling and Construction
Imprgnats are part of the group water repellents- water-repellent impregnations, which are also actively used for processing bricks both inside and outside the house. Water repellents penetrate into the pores of the material and, reacting, form a kind of sealant inside them, due to which water, grease, oil and other undesirable substances cannot penetrate into the brick. Water repellents are environmentally friendly, protect the surface from mold, fungus and ultraviolet radiation, without affecting the appearance of the wall in any way. In addition, the surface treated with such a composition is more resistant to mechanical damage and dry cleaning.
We paint a brick wall in the interior
The brick retains its lively and attractive texture even under a layer of paint. For a bedroom or living room, many designers are happy to give preference decorative painting in bright hues, which looks more gentle and sophisticated and allows you to combine everything architectural elements walls: cornices, niches, ledges. Most often in interiors, especially Scandinavian designers, you can find white paint which is great for small spaces.
Interior by The Grene Group
Reminder: The porous texture of brick absorbs paint very well, so don't rush if you're not sure if you want to paint your wall. You will have to remove the paint with caustic solvents and, possibly, with the help of professionals.
Photo: Corynne Pless
If you want to get an unobtrusive brick texture, paint the wall in several layers of white paint, if you want to add a worn effect, old surface through which it peers original color, dilute the white paint with water. Start with 3 parts paint to 1 part water and apply with a large brush free movements. After allowing the composition to soak a little into the surface, it can be reapplied, independently varying the amount of water and smudges.
White paint with deliberate scuffs, interior by Increation
Advice: if White color if you don't like it, choose gray paint for a brick wall - this is a universal backdrop for any furniture and accessories.
A white or gray brick wall is perfect for displaying a collection of paintings or family photos, design Mikel Irastorza
Another interesting option decor of a brick wall, the so-called "bog" brick. If the original color of the brick seems too light to you, it, by analogy with wood, can be stained. The brick will darken, keeping its texture in its original form. In this way, you can create a truly striking effect of old masonry even in a new house, although it will take a lot of time. To make the effect of aging look natural, you will have to paint almost every brick separately with a small brush.
The effect of very old or "bog" bricks, design Laura Garner
Brickwork in the interior is a solution that does not become obsolete and has not gone out of fashion for many years. Of course, such a wall will require some restoration and processing measures, however, all of them are not comparable in terms of money and time costs with ordinary leveling, putty and plaster and will definitely not create a unique atmosphere in your home.
Brick, as one of the most beautiful and durable facade materials, is quite difficult to clean. This will require special knowledge. After all, the wrong technology of work can damage the material. Below are quality ways how to clean a brick from plaster, cement, paint, clay, plaque, soot, mortar.
from cement mortar
After construction, very often dried cement mortar remains on the brickwork. To remove it, it is necessary to take into account the degree of contamination and the material of the brick. Full information you can find out by laying bricks.
The first cleaning method is mechanical. To get started, you need to get the following tools for work:
- Chisel.
- Hammer.
- spatula.
- brush.
- Sandpaper.
Large pieces of cement can be removed with a chisel and hammer. Blobs of medium size are removed with a spatula.
During mechanical cleaning, blows should be applied along the surface of the brick. This will protect against the appearance of notches on the material.
When the surface is clean, the final step is grouting with sandpaper. To facilitate the process, you can take wooden block and attach sandpaper to its working side. Then, such bars need to be processed with bricks along their surface.
The second way to clean brick from cement is chemical. For this you will need:
- A chemical substance based on phosphoric or hydrochloric acid.
- Brush.
- Putty knife.
- Metal brush.
The prepared solvent is applied with a brush to the areas to be cleaned. After that, you need to wait a while (about 30 minutes). After that, you can clean off the cement with a spatula, then do the cleaning with a brush.
The chemical method of cleaning bricks is suitable for red ceramic brick. White silicate brick will not withstand such cleaning - it will simply crumble.
When chemically cleaning bricks, you must strictly adhere to the instructions indicated on the packaging of the solvent. To obtain a high-quality result, you can clean a small area of \u200b\u200bthe wall, and then carry out a full cleaning.
You can learn more about the chemical cleaning of bricks on the video. Recommendations, instructions for carrying out work are presented.
From white plaque
The white coating that appears on the brickwork is formed due to the penetration of the salts contained in the solution to the surface. Often this problem occurs after heavy rainfall and brings a lot of problems.
Salt negatively affects not only the appearance of the walls, but also the strength of the material. She destroys upper layer brick, which leads to the formation of cracks and chips. Therefore, it is necessary to get rid of this problem in time.
It is necessary to purchase a special cleaner concentrate in hardware store. After that, dilute with water in a ratio of 1:10. Then:
- Apply the mortar to the wall with a brush.
- Leave for 20 minutes.
- Wash off with water. You can use a clean cloth for this.
Acids and various surfactants that are contained in the formulations for removing white plaque, react with salts, so they are easily removed. To fix the result, the surface of the walls must be coated with water-repellent agents in order to next year did not have to remove plaque again.
How to remove clay from brick
In the construction of stove fireplaces, clay mortar is used instead of cement. This prevents cracking of the material during operation. During bricklaying, it is best to immediately clean the brick from the clay mixture. To do this, use a dry cloth.
If the clay still remains on the surface, then you can use the method to remove cement mortar from brickwork.
First, visible large pieces of clay are removed with a spatula, and then small particles are cleaned with sandpaper.
From grout on brick
The grout is best removed immediately from the surface of the brick. If a day has passed after application, then you can slightly moisten the contaminated places with water, wait 20 minutes, then clean with a spatula.
If much more time has passed, then you need to act according to the scheme:
- Buy a special solution in the store and dilute it according to the instructions.
- Apply to the surface.
- Wait a certain amount of time.
- Clean with a spatula.
You need to act carefully and do not overexpose the product for longer than the allotted time. Before starting work, it is best to glue the seams with a thin masking tape so that chemicals do not get into them.
From plaster on brickwork
Often brickwork completely plastered. Over time, this finish loses original view and urgently need to update the walls in the room. An excellent option is to remove the old layer of plaster and renew the brickwork. This option will perfectly update the interior.
For the correct removal of plaster you need:
- Move all furniture out of the room.
- Close all cracks tightly so that dust does not penetrate into other rooms.
- Prepare a hammer, chisel, brush.
- Remove plaster layer.
- Clean the wall of dust.
- Coat the surface with varnish.
With the help of a chisel and a hammer, you need to remove a layer of plaster. You need to start from the top corner and gradually move down. The tool must be held at an angle.
During work, the plaster must be constantly taken out of the room so that it does not accumulate underfoot and does not interfere with work. After upholstery with a brush, you need to remove all small particles and dust from the wall.
Then you need to wash the brick. Using a wet rag, you need to clean the walls, starting from the top corner. To give the brickwork a beautiful appearance, you can use a special varnish.
How to clean cement from soot
During the operation of a building with brickwork, soot may appear on it. You need to get rid of it as early as possible, otherwise it will be much more difficult to remove soot later.
Before starting work, you must:
- Cover the floor with a film so that soot does not settle on it.
- Take detergent and tools for the job.
- Clear the wall.
As a detergent, any detergent (for example, powder) is suitable. The main thing is that it foams well. Soap solution is diluted in a basin. After that, a sponge is dipped into the soapy water, and the cleaning of the brick begins.
You need to start from the top corner, then gradually go down. The surface should be slightly moistened and left soap suds. After a few minutes, this foam, along with soot, can be easily removed using a clean rag.
After applying a soap solution with thick foam on the wall, you need to wait a while. If after a few minutes the foam turns black, then this agent has begun to act and the solution can be washed off.
In addition to soap, you can use ordinary table vinegar. To do this, it is diluted in water in a ratio of 1: 1. After that, the solution is applied to the wall, and after a few minutes the wall is cleaned with a metal brush.
Exist special means to remove soot, which are sold at any hardware store. They remove dirt more efficiently and quickly, but this option is more expensive.
From paint
If the brick wall was painted, but began to peel off over time, then it is urgent to remove old paint. Often used modern method sandblasting the wall. But this may damage the material.
Therefore, it is best to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Do an initial paint removal.
- Get rid of the fungus.
- Perform chemical treatment.
- Do a secondary paint removal.
Initially, you need to remove a loose layer of paint. All visible surfaces of the walls, on which peeling paint is visible, are treated with a spatula. Then the wall is carefully brushed to get rid of dust.
The second stage is getting rid of the fungus. A special solution is prepared (chlorine lime and water in a ratio of 3: 1) and applied to the wall with a brush. After that, it is thoroughly washed off with water.
When the wall is completely dry, another solution is applied to it, which removes the remaining layer of paint chemically: caustic soda and water in a ratio of 1: 3.
A small amount of flour is gradually added to such a solution so that it acquires a mushy state.
The prepared solution is applied with a spatula to the wall and left for 2 days. After that, with warm water from a hose (under high pressure), the solution is removed from the surface along with the old paint.
If you need to clean the wall in the house, then during the application of the solution to the walls, strips of paper are glued to it. It is then removed from the surface along with the paint.
Instead of a homemade solution, you can purchase a special solution in the store. To breed it, you need to follow the instructions.
For high-quality cleaning bricks, you can use the advice of professionals:
- When cleaning from cement mortar, the brick can be moistened with water. The cement will absorb a small amount of moisture and easily fall behind.
- The chemical method of cleaning bricks from mortar is carried out only for red ceramic bricks.
- Using various chemical solutions to clean the brick, you need to work with gloves and protective clothing. It is desirable to cover the floor with a film.
- Before performing brick cleaning, it is best to do a test cleaning on small area. This will help ensure that the product does not damage the surface of the material.
Removing plaque from a brick with the help of improvised means is quite simple. To speed up the work, you can purchase a solution in the store. The main thing is to follow the instructions for the work. Due to this, you can get a quality result.
The outer surface of the walls silicate brick starts to crumble and fall apart. The building was built in 1954 and, apparently, the destruction occurs due to the freeze-thaw process in autumn-spring period. Is it possible to somehow protect the walls from moisture?
Since almost all materials used in construction are porous, this is why they absorb moisture, which is both in the air and in the ground. The process of moisture absorption can, in principle, be slowed down, but it is practically impossible to completely prevent it. The moisture falls out in the form of rain and snow. precipitation, props up from the soil in the form ground water, dew condensate is deposited in the mornings and / or evenings, for example, under metal roofing and on the surface of the walls outside the building. On surfaces wet from dampness, the processes of physical (growth of cracks, peeling), chemical (rusting, decay) and biological (rotting) destruction of any structural materials are triggered, which lose their properties. So, for example, when soaking insulation material only 5% of it thermal insulation properties reduced by almost a quarter. This not only leads to destruction thermal insulation material, but also, in turn, of course, affects the insulation of building envelopes.
Modern building technology mostly based on the use of materials such as concrete and brick. These are durable, strong and relatively inexpensive building materials that one would like to call eternal. However, there is one big "but" - these are the destruction processes triggered by moisture. So, for example, both ceramic and silicate bricks have pores in which, in the autumn-spring period, alternating multi-cyclic freezing-thawing of water occurs. This cannot but affect the strength and integrity of the material, which is covered with cracks and eventually collapses.
Therefore, in order to protect building structures from the effects of water or to weaken its effect, it is necessary to increase the water-repellent properties of porous materials. That's why in last years one of the means of combating water saturation was the treatment of the outer surfaces of building envelopes with special compounds - water repellents. These are special compositions that are made on the basis of organosilicon compounds.
Water repellents are intended to impart hydrophobic (water-repellent) properties to materials of mineral origin, including products such as silicate bricks. For surface treatment building structures they penetrate to a depth of about 1.5-10 mm into the thickness of the material and thereby prevent its moisture from the effects of precipitation. It must be said that water repellents do not form a surface film, which means they do not close the pores, as a result of which the vapor permeability of building envelopes does not decrease.
It should be noted that the hydrophobization of porous surfaces gives them completely new possibilities. So, for example, putties, plasters and others treated with water repellents building mortars-compositions, as well as decorative coatings can be used in both dry and wet areas. In addition, with further finishing, the consumption of impregnating-priming and paintwork materials. It can also be noted that heating costs are also reduced by up to 30%, since the dry walls of the house are easier to heat.
But the most important thing is that the processes of destruction of building structures mentioned above, as well as the manifestation of “efflorescence”, pollution, and the like on the surface of the walls, are stopped without significant costs. With surface treatment, materials retain these qualities for at least 10 years, and with deep impregnation of the structure (volumetric application) - for the entire life of the building or structure.
The traditional area of application of water repellents is external processing facades of buildings, including the surface of brickwork. In this case, the outer surface of the brick walls of a building built in 1954 should be treated with water repellents that are designed specifically for silicate bricks.
Brick is a porous material, into which moisture enters, destroying it from the inside. Protecting bricks from moisture involves the use of special water-repellent agents that cover the walls. They create a film on the surface that protects against exposure external environment. The choice of a means of protecting a brick wall from moisture depends on the type of products that will be processed.
Why treat a brick wall from moisture?
Seams between bricks weakness masonry. They are susceptible to moisture penetration, due to which in winter time freeze through. As a result, the following unpleasant moments arise:
- manifestation of efflorescence and mold;
- the transformation of moisture into ice;
- destruction of brickwork;
- increase in heat loss in winter.
Water-repellent impregnation - the best remedy material protection.
Benefits of using
The use of impregnation allows you to protect the walls from water and its penetration into the porous surface, on which a transparent film is formed that prevents the formation of fungus, moss and mold. And also the product has the property of repelling dirt, which helps to preserve the beauty of the facade on for a long time. In addition, the protection of a brick wall helps to better retain heat, saves walls from frost. As a result, heating costs are reduced.
What are the types of impregnations from efflorescence?
Such a tool dries quickly and perfectly protects the brick from moisture. Water-repellent impregnation consists of water, binder and mineral pigments. Funds are divided into different types depending on the properties and type of surface for which they are intended, among them:
- Single component acrylic. Designed for sealing bricks, protection against efflorescence and precipitation. They have a high drying rate.
- Silicone two-component water based. Prevents the growth of fungi and other microorganisms. Colorless, can be top coated with paint. Suitable for processing walls made of silicate material.
- Lacquer. Made on the basis of a special varnish that gives the surface a glossy sheen.
- Water-repellent water repellants. They have high insulating and antimicrobial properties. They process red and silicate bricks.
How to prepare the walls?
First of all, the walls should be allowed to dry. Start processing facing brick better for 3-4 days of sunny weather. If erosion has already appeared, seams and cracks should be repaired, as well as red brick walls should be cleaned of dirt, fungus and moss. When dirt cannot be removed with water, a special paste and a mechanical tool must be used. Efflorescence should be soaked with a solution, and the fungus and moss should be covered with an antiseptic.
How to make an impregnation?
The brick processing procedure should be carried out in compliance with certain rules. This will allow you to properly do the work, which will last a dozen years. Protection of brickwork is carried out in the following sequence:
Before applying a hydrophobic agent, you need to clean the wall of dirt. - They clean the walls from dirt, remove the remains of plaster and crumbling bricks.
- A biocidal treatment of bricks is carried out, which will protect against the occurrence of fungus and mold.
- Cover a brick wall with a preliminary layer of impregnation and allow it to dry.
- Close up cracks and seams, replace destroyed bricks.
- The walls are washed again, washing off the remains of cement mortar and dirt.
- After complete drying, the material is re-impregnated with a water repellent.
Apply impregnation outside with any convenient way: roller, brush or sprayer. characteristic feature successful work on wall processing is a uniform gloss over the entire surface. The color of the brick does not change. However, they should be checked for the presence possible defects at least once a year.
Preparations and manufacturers
The market is filled with domestic and foreign manufacturers of hydrophobic impregnations for bricks. It can be difficult to choose, because some are very expensive. All have the same purpose - to protect the brick from destruction. But there are differences in the composition, depending on the type of surface on which it is applied. So, Litos water repellents are designed for facades built from. They have dirt-repellent and antiseptic properties. Rescued from negative impact atmospheric precipitation.
good quality Remmers is famous for its product. The German manufacturer Remmers offers big choice building materials, including water-repellent agents for various kinds brickwork. Is different high quality and durability in operation. Provides dedusting of concrete surfaces. Such preparations dry quickly, create on the wall transparent film protecting against fungus, dirt and precipitation.
A brick water repellent is one of the processing methods that allows you to increase the frost resistance and water resistance of future masonry, as well as improve its thermodynamics. In general, hydrophobization makes the building material more durable. The first water repellents appeared on the building materials market about 40 years ago and have been actively used in this area since then. Initially, they had a number of disadvantages, such as a high fire hazard and the need for re-application. Modern water repellents, as a rule, are devoid of these problems.
The water repellent does not allow moisture to be absorbed into the brick.
Why is it necessary to use hydrophobization?
Starting the construction of the premises, each owner hopes that his house will last for a long time and will keep a good appearance, no matter what. Unfortunately, no matter how expensive and high-tech the building material is, over time it will begin to lose its performance characteristics and wear out.
Building materials such as stone, concrete and brick are characterized by a porous structure that absorbs moisture. A particularly dangerous period for these materials is autumn, when heavy precipitation in the form of rain is replaced by frost. Water that has been absorbed into the porous structure of the building material freezes inside it and slowly begins to destroy the stone, and this entails damage to the masonry or facade finish. In addition, wet brick, concrete and stone retain heat indoors much worse.
How often is hydrophobization performed?
Water repellents protect the brick from the appearance of mold and efflorescence.Hydrophobization of brickwork with modern liquids is carried out once every 10 years, and this is quite enough to save good view premises, protecting it from fungus and efflorescence. This allows you to increase the performance of the material, because water-repellent impregnation is somewhat reminiscent of the effect of varnish, but it can be used not only for wood, but also for concrete, stone and brick.
Hydrophobic impregnation for stone is usually available in water-based for internal works and solvent-based organic type for exterior finishing. Impregnation for bricks is odorless and colorless, but at the same time it has water-repellent properties. Hydrophobic coating is absorbed into the structure of the material by 2 cm and forms inside a certain protective film. Rainwater and other precipitation do not penetrate the building material, but roll down it like water drops on glass.
Treating a brick with a water repellent allows you to protect it from darkening and deterioration in appearance, which occurs over time. Over the years, environmental factors significantly damage building materials, leaving dust and moisture particles inside the brick. This noticeably changes the color of the walls and spoils the appearance of the building.
Hydrophobiser can be processed wood flooring, it will not only prevent darkening, but also eliminate the decay of the material. Hydrophobic impregnation does not cause corrosion of reinforcing steel when treating areas with its presence. The sealant for hydrophobization has a high atmospheric resistance, therefore it does not deform building materials and does not lose its performance characteristics at high temperatures. The water repellent can withstand temperatures from -50 to +150°C.
Types and scope of hydrophobic impregnations
Water repellents can process not only bricks, but also wood.Today, in building materials stores, you can find a huge number of varieties of hydrophobic liquid to protect bricks from moisture. Solutions for hydrophobization differ in the size of the particles that are formed when a liquid is dissolved in water or organic mixtures. By composition, hydrophobic impregnations are divided into several types:
- alkyl siliconates;
- N-siloxanes;
- silanesiloxanes.
Alkyl siliconates are the most cheap option fluids for processing bricks and masonry. N-siloxanes are more advanced impregnations with good water-repellent and protective properties.
Silanesiloxanes are the highest group of hydrophobic impregnations that have the most the best performance and achieve the greatest penetration depth.
These impregnations can create the wet stone effect very popular with architectural designs in recent times.
The application of hydrophobic impregnations is often used in the restoration of valuable architectural monuments and masonry of past centuries. The impregnation is colorless, therefore it does not change the color of the walls and the color of building materials, but, on the contrary, gives them a shine and a neat appearance. Impregnation can be used to treat walls in sanitary facilities - in saunas, pools and baths. Hydrophobic impregnations are used to seal between window seams and doorways.
The use of hydrophobic impregnations makes it possible to significantly reduce the cost of repairing facades and prevents the destruction of concrete, plaster, masonry and other surfaces. Most engineers and architects recommend treating brick, concrete, and masonry walls as soon as they are built. The treated materials retain their performance qualities much longer, and the service life of the entire structure with deep impregnation increases by at least 15 years.
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