Brick Restoration: When to Choose Grinding Over Replacement

Brickwork delivers classic beauty with an everlasting charm! The archetypal appeal of a brick structure is unequalled. As a masonry material, brick is preferred by most property owners not only due to its rustic allure but also its durability and strength. It is a versatile construction material that blends effortlessly with any environment.

Nonetheless, despite the sturdiness and structural stability of brickwork, it undergoes significant damage over time. Cities like the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Long Island, Brooklyn, and Richmond Hill experience extreme weather conditions, causing cosmetic and structural deterioration in brick constructions. Often, a brick grinding contractor in NYC can assist you with restoring the functionality and aesthetics of brickwork. You will not require a complete replacement of the damaged section.

However, it may be baffling to decide whether you need a brick grinding or replacement service. Let’s first understand the processes.

What is Brick Grinding?

Brick grinding specifically involves smoothening or reshaping brick surfaces. It is used for various purposes like removing mortar from disintegrating joints, eliminating brick chipping, addressing underlying damages, and achieving flawless surfaces. So, you can consider brick grinding NYC to give your brickwork a nice, clean finish.

In the brick grinding process, an abrasive rotating belt or wheel removes brick material to reshape it or achieve a smooth, flawless surface. It eliminates dirt, uneven surfaces, and concrete chips, imparting a refined look and feel.

What is Brick Replacement?

On the other hand, brick replacement is the process of removing old, damaged, or severely deteriorated bricks from a specific area and replacing them with matching new bricks. It is a laborious project requiring highly skilled professionals with adequate knowledge and expertise in the field. Similar to brick grinding services, brick replacement is also a restoration technique. It reinstates the functionality, efficiency, and visual appeal of brickwork. 

Both brick grinding and replacement assure increased efficiency and structural stability to a construction. They boost a property’s value and enhance safety. 

However, you may prefer brick grinding over replacement in some scenarios. For complete brick restoration, it is not always necessary to replace old bricks.

When Should You Choose Brick Grinding?

Brick restoration is pivotal to enhancing safety and functionality. Also, it promotes a refined visual appeal, increasing property value. Here are some of the cases where a brick pointing grinder is a more effective and affordable solution than a replacement:

• Minor Damages- When you have cosmetic damages in brickwork, like spots, minor cracks, or uneven surfaces, you can use a brick grinder to smoothen out the defects. It effortlessly removes burrs and offers a clean, even surface. In other words, you receive an enhanced overall appearance.
• Mortar Chipping- Mortar joints are the weakest sections in a brick structure. They are susceptible to moisture filtration and develop cracks and chips due to constant freeze-thaw cycles. As a result, the bricks become loose and unstable. However, brick grinding can resolve the problem by removing large mortar chunks conveniently. You can then repoint the bricks to reinstate their strength and stability. Thus, you can repair brick joints without replacing the bricks.
• Stains and Discoloration- Old bricks become discolored and may have unsightly stains due to dust, grime, efflorescence, molds, and mildew. If there is no extensive damage, grinding the surface can help you get rid of such stubborn stains. Your brickwork looks as good as new- one of the major brick grinding secrets!
• Surface Irregularities- For surfaces with pits and bumps or other unevenness factors, brick grinding is at the rescue! Within minutes, you will have a smooth, levelled surface!

Thus, you can skip brick replacement in many scenarios and still receive a flawless brick restoration project with professional grinding services.