Brick veneer on your home is one of the most beautiful exterior finishes a home can have. So many beautiful designs can be created with bricks. Brick adds equity to your home and is favored by insurance companies for various reasons. It's important to choose a masonry contractor that has experience with brick laying and that understands the characteristics of a brick. Some brick are soft, some are brittle, some are hand made and others are mass produced. It's extremely important to understand the brick you choose.

Each brick type requires a certain type of cement, and a certain sealer designed specifically for that brick. Many uninformed - inexperienced contractors use "off the shelf" sealers and cements that are NOT designed for the brick which usually results in costly repairs down the road. Inexperienced contractors simply don't understand. 

There is more! Brick veneer on a home must have properly installed copper or rubber flashing to prevent water from penetrating into the home. Brick veneer also must also have "weeps" to let water out. Brick veneer must also have an air space behind the brick, and have wall ties at certain spacing. The wood on your home behind

the brick must be covered with special paper before laying the brick to prevent rotting of the wood on your walls should water get behind the brick. It is extremely important that this special paper is properly installed by a person with experience that understands why it is there.

One final note: Do not pressure wash brick without out first checking with the manufacturer. You will likely blast the beautiful finish off the face of the brick.

When brick veneer is properly installed you should expect a lifetime of lasting beauty.

Brick Veneer

What You Should know about It