Alright, let’s talk about this brick silicone stuff, you know, the thing they use on them walls made of brick. I ain’t no expert, but I’ve seen enough fixin’ around the house to know a thing or two.
First off, they say silicone is real good for brick, makes it last longer, keeps the water out. Well, that sounds alright, I guess. Nobody wants a leaky wall, right? Especially when it rains cats and dogs like it does sometimes. You don’t want that water comin’ in, messin’ up your stuff. So, yeah, silicone seems like a good idea for keepin’ things dry.
Now, I heard some folks sayin’ you can’t just use any old stuff on brick. You gotta use the right kind, somethin’ that can handle the sun and the rain and whatever else gets thrown at it. They talk about somethin’ called “sealant,” which I guess is just a fancy word for glue that keeps water out. And they say silicone sealant is one of the best, real strong and lasts a long time. Well, if it lasts a long time, that’s good, saves you from havin’ to do it again next year, you know?
But here’s the thing, puttin’ that stuff on ain’t as easy as it looks. I watched a fella do it once, and he had all these tricks and tips. He said most folks mess it up, make a real mess of things. Said you gotta do it just right, or it won’t work right. He had this tool, looked like a gun, and he squeezed the silicone out real careful-like. Made it look easy, but I bet it ain’t. He was talkin’ about “extraction technique” and all that, but I just nodded along. Long as he gets the job done, that’s all I care about. He said somethin’ about watchin’ a video to learn how to do it, but I ain’t got time for that. I got better things to do than watchin’ videos all day.
Now, some folks get confused, think they can use that mortar stuff, the stuff they use to stick the bricks together in the first place. But the fella said that ain’t right. Mortar ain’t made for keepin’ water out, he said. It’ll crack and crumble, and you’ll be right back where you started. You gotta use somethin’ that bends and stretches a little, somethin’ that can handle the way the house moves and settles. That’s where the silicone comes in, I reckon.
Then there’s the question of whether silicone will even stick to brick. I mean, brick ain’t smooth like glass, it’s rough and bumpy. But apparently, it does stick, long as you clean the brick good first. Get all the dirt and dust off, so the silicone has somethin’ to grab onto. The fella I saw, he used a brush and some water, scrubbed it real good before he put the silicone on. Said if you don’t clean it, the silicone won’t stick, and it’ll just peel right off.
And another thing, you gotta pick the right color. You don’t want some bright white stripe standin’ out like a sore thumb on your nice red brick wall. They got silicone that dries clear, so you don’t even see it. Or you can get stuff that matches the color of your brick. Just gotta make sure it looks decent, you know? Don’t want the neighbors thinkin’ you don’t know what you’re doin’. They make silicone for outdoor use, the kind that can handle the rain and sun without gettin’ all dried up and crackly. That’s important, ’cause who wants to redo the whole thing every year?
- Use the right silicone: Make sure it’s for outdoor use and can handle brick.
- Clean the brick: Get rid of all the dirt and dust so the silicone sticks.
- Apply it right: Watch a video or get someone who knows what they’re doing to help.
- Pick the right color: Make it blend in so it doesn’t look ugly.
So, there you have it, what I know about brick silicone. It ain’t much, but it’s enough to get the job done, I reckon. Just remember to use the right stuff, clean the brick good, and apply it careful-like. And if you’re not sure what you’re doin’, get someone who does. Better safe than sorry, that’s what I always say.
And don’t forget, this ain’t rocket science. It’s just keepin’ water out of your house. But it’s important, ’cause water can do a lot of damage if you let it. So, take your time, do it right, and your brick walls will thank you for it. And maybe get someone who knows what they’re doin’ to help you out, especially if you’re not too handy yourself. There’s no shame in askin’ for help. We all gotta learn somehow.
Tags: [Brick, Silicone, Sealant, Waterproof, Exterior, Home Improvement, DIY, Caulk, Crack Repair, Masonry]
