Proper care of a brick is essential to ensure its durability and to keep its freshness and good appearance for a long time. We advise which impregnate to choose and how to deal with it.
Impregnation of bricks should not pose big difficulties. In the first place it is very important to decide on the right preparation, which allows to protect the surface. Such measures are recommended to apply both in the case of bricks on the outside of the building, and inside the apartment.
The question arises here whether every brick wall must be impregnated? Not necessarily, everything depends on place and way of using this surface.
The difference can be shown on the example of decorative walls in the bedroom and in the kitchen. In the case of the first room the material is unlikely to be heavily used. It is different if we talk about the kitchen where we often have to deal with humidity, grease and other dirt
Outside, brick walls are also exposed to many factors such as dust or exhaust fumes, so it is worth taking special care of these surfaces.
There are many impregnating preparations available on the market. They differ in the kind of bricks they are designed for. It is also important what effect can be achieved thanks to them.
Firstly, the impregnates are divided into universal and special ones. The first of them, as the name suggests, can be used for many surfaces, while the second are assigned, for example, to specific types of bricks. In view of the functions which they perform, we can deal with hydrophobic (anti-humidity), oleophobic (for walls susceptible to greasy dirt) and self-cleaning agents.
For brick surfaces inside the rooms you can use preparations with admixture of paint which apart from protection will influence the color of walls and improve its aesthetics. Moreover, for decorative finishing it is worth to consider impregnates giving gloss or matt. In the basic offer there are also colorless products.
The last important distinction focuses on formulation. Water-based agents are admittedly more ecological, but they penetrate poorly into the wall. Solvent-based products, on the other hand, penetrate the surface much more strongly, which is why they are considered to be more effective. Both agents are also characterized by different intensity of smell.
Before commencing preservation activities, the brickwork should first be properly prepared by thorough cleaning of the surface. An effective tool for this task will simply be a brush. However, it is better that it was not too rough, because in this way you can damage the surface. At home, a vacuum cleaner and a cloth are recommended for this rather.
The next phase is to rinse and then leave the brick to dry.
Now it is time for the proper activity, namely impregnation. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the product packaging. It is best to use a brush or a roller to distribute the product evenly. There is also a spraying method. The number of layers applied depends on the type of surface and needs. Most often two coats are used.
In the end, you just need to wait for the wall to dry, and you’re done.
Some may wonder why to pay so much attention to a material like brick. Proper impregnation, i.e. application of a protective layer on this type of wall, allows to enjoy its flawless appearance for a long time
The protective preparation inhibits water absorption and prevents oily stains from remaining on the surface. What is more, it hinders dust deposition and the formation of various types of dirt or discoloration. Thanks to impregnation, the process of cleaning such a masonry wall is much easier.
Main photo: Tim Mossholder
