Brick walls are strong, timeless, and beautiful, but even the toughest materials need a little love and care to stay that way. If you’ve recently had your brick walls repointed (that is, the mortar between the bricks repaired or replaced), congratulations! You’ve just given your home’s exterior a major boost in both looks and durability.
But now comes the important part: maintaining it. Good maintenance ensures your brickwork stays solid, attractive, and protected for many years to come. The best part? It doesn’t take fancy tools or complicated steps. With just a few simple habits and some seasonal checks, you can keep your repointed walls looking great and standing strong.
Let’s go over everything you need to know about maintaining brick walls after repointing, from cleaning tips to protection, seasonal care, and when to call in the pros.
The first step in maintaining your brick walls is keeping them clean. Dirt, moss, and pollution can slowly wear away at both the brick and the mortar, so gentle cleaning goes a long way.
Start by brushing your brick walls every few months with a soft-bristled brush and plain water. This helps remove surface dust, cobwebs, and dirt.
If you notice tougher grime or stains, you can mix a mild detergent or a masonry cleaner with water. Scrub the wall gently and rinse thoroughly to remove all residue. Avoid harsh chemicals, as they can damage the mortar or leave streaks on the bricks.
This is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make. Pressure washers might seem like a quick fix, but the force of the water can actually erode the new mortar joints and damage the surface of the bricks. Instead, stick to gentle cleaning methods.
A simple garden hose with a low-pressure spray works perfectly fine for rinsing away mild dirt or soap.
Plants, trees, and vines might look charming climbing up your brick walls, but they can cause more harm than good. Roots can push into mortar joints, and branches or vines rubbing against the wall can wear away the surface over time.
Keep vegetation trimmed and ensure there’s a little breathing space between your brick walls and nearby plants. This helps prevent moisture buildup and keeps insects or moss from growing.
Clogged gutters can lead to water overflowing and running down your brick walls. Over time, that moisture can cause staining, efflorescence (that white, chalky residue), and even structural damage.
Clean your gutters at least twice a year, especially before winter and after heavy storms. Proper drainage is one of the best ways to protect your masonry.
Brick walls face different challenges throughout the year. By checking your walls at the start of each season, you can catch small issues before they turn into expensive repairs.
Cold weather is tough on brickwork. Ice and snow can seep into small cracks, freeze, and expand, which causes more damage.
Keep snow away from the base of your walls, and if ice forms, avoid using harsh salts that can damage the mortar. Instead, use sand or pet-safe deicers to keep walkways safe without harming your bricks.
After winter, take a good look at your brick walls. The freeze-thaw cycle might have caused some cracks or loosened mortar. This is the best time to do a post-winter inspection and spot any early signs of damage.
Spring is also a great time to clean your walls since the weather is mild and there’s less chance of rapid drying that could stress the mortar.
Warm, dry weather is ideal for small repairs. If you spot tiny cracks or damaged joints, summer is the time to fix them. Mortar dries faster and more evenly, and you can apply a fresh coat of sealer if needed.
Make sure your brickwork isn’t exposed to direct sprinkler spray, since the constant water hitting the wall can lead to moisture issues and staining.
Once your brick walls are clean and in good condition, it’s time to protect them. Repointed mortar needs a little time to cure before you seal it, but once it’s ready, sealing can make a huge difference in how long your walls last.
After your new mortar has fully cured (usually after a few weeks), apply a breathable masonry sealer. This helps block out moisture, pollution, and freeze-thaw damage while still allowing trapped water vapor to escape, which is crucial for brick health.
Non-breathable sealers can trap moisture inside the wall, leading to peeling, flaking, or even spalling (when the surface of the brick starts breaking off). So always make sure the sealer is vapor-permeable.
You can apply the sealer using a paint roller, garden sprayer, or brush, just make sure the surface is completely clean and dry before starting.
No sealer lasts forever. Most high-quality sealers last five to ten years, depending on your climate and exposure to sunlight or rain.
To test if your wall needs resealing, simply splash a bit of water on the surface. If the water beads up, you’re good. If it soaks in, it’s time for a new coat. Regular inspections and timely brick pointing & repointing help maintain your brick walls and prevent early mortar deterioration.
Even with regular cleaning and sealing, your brick walls will eventually need minor touch-ups. Staying on top of these keeps small problems from turning into big headaches.
Walk around your property every few months and look closely at your brickwork. Check for cracks, chips, or crumbling mortar. Look especially near windows, doors, and the base of the wall where water tends to collect.
If you spot any issues, mark them so you can address them later, or take pictures to monitor if they’re getting worse over time.
Don’t ignore small cracks or flaking bricks. Even a hairline crack can let in moisture, which freezes and expands, making the problem worse.
For minor cracks, you can fill them with masonry caulk or a small amount of mortar mix. But if you see deep cracks, bowed walls, or large missing chunks of mortar, it’s time to call a professional.
If you’re not sure how serious the damage is, or if the cracks are wide enough to affect the structure, don’t guess. Hire a licensed masonry contractor near you to inspect the wall.
They’ll assess the problem thoroughly and suggest the best fix, whether that’s minor patching, new repointing, or more advanced repairs.
Professional masons also have the right tools and materials to match your existing brickwork, ensuring your wall stays both beautiful and sturdy.
Repointing your brick walls is one of the best investments you can make for your home, but keeping them in great shape afterward is just as important.
By following a simple maintenance routine, like cleaning regularly, sealing properly, inspecting seasonally, and fixing small problems before they grow, you can easily extend the life of your brickwork by decades.
Your walls will not only look great but also stay strong through every storm, freeze, and sunny day. Think of it like caring for a classic car; regular attention keeps it running (and looking) its best.
So, grab a brush, check your gutters, and give those beautiful bricks the care they deserve. Your home will thank you for it, year after year.