Brick is a great building material. It is dense, strong and durable. Because of the wide range of brick colors, textures and colored mortars, an almost endless variety of exterior looks can be achieved by using brick. The positive qualities of brick are so ingrained in our culture that they are a key factor in the outcome of the fairy tale "The Three Little Pigs."
Paving bricks are a wonderful surfacing material. Their color and texture add a unique touch to sidewalks, driveways or patios. Many paving bricks are available in different patterns as well. They add depth and character that you can't easily achieve with standard asphalt or concrete. Here is a list of paving brick companies that make the grade.
Efflorescence is primarily an appearance problem that occurs with masonry and often plaster. Rarely do these deposits of crystalline salts do any harm to masonry surfaces. In most cases, the efflorescence appears as a white dust or deposit on the surface of brick walls, chimneys or patio bricks. In certain cases, the color of these salts can also be green and brown. While it's difficult to control, efflorescence can be prevented by reducing moisture sources.
The following publications have excellent information concerning what is efflorescence, its prevention and guidance on efflorescence removers. Some of them may be available at your local library.
Mold is all around us, and looking to thrive and multiply. Black mold and toxic mold types evolved to eat most anything. Mold, however, like all living things, needs water to survive. Mold removal will fill your days if you ignore steps to keep your home dry. These mold prevention tips will help you avoid mold allergies, hazards and problems that house mold and mold growth can deliver.
Concrete driveways tend to be very white. Blacktop or asphalt driveways tend to be very black. Is there an alternative? You bet there is - it is called a tar and chip driveway. If you have access to colored rough gravel in your area, you can have a low cost colorful driveway that looks like a country road. Browns, grays, pale greens are all possible. In fact, if you are fortunate to have a resourceful gravel supply company you can even blend colors. My own tar and chip driveway is a mixture of light and dark brown stone chips.
For a proper installation of your tar and chip driveway paving, check out this inexpensive literature from the National Asphalt Pavement Association and the Asphalt Institute.
Tar and chip driveways are attractive, cost less and require little maintenance. Get a contractor to do the installation for you. Installation during the hot, dry summer is the best weather for the asphalt and chips to adhere, and a standard air blower removes debris without removing the chips. Here are more do's and don'ts of installing and maintaining a tar and chip driveway.
If you want to have long term success with patching holes and cracks in your blacktop or asphalt surfaces, here are some very important asphalt patching specifications.
Finding high quality asphalt repair patch can be just around the corner: in an old-fashioned supply store or at the four manufacturers listed below. Cold patch blacktop now seals better than before, or try an asphalt crack sealer compound with rubber for a slightly more expensive, but high-performance job.
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