Spring is here, and while many homeowners are focused on freshening up their landscaping or power-washing their decks, one critical aspect of home maintenance often goes overlooked—waterproofing your brick exterior.
Today, we’re sharing two real stories from homeowners in Dix Hills and Commack, NY —one who learned the hard way about the importance of waterproofing and another who stays ahead of the game with regular maintenance.
The Dix Hills Headache : When Water Wins the Battle
John, a homeowner in Dix Hills, NY, had always admired the timeless beauty of his brick home. For years, he believed that brick was naturally resistant to the elements, so he never considered waterproofing.
Then, after a few rough winters and some heavy spring rains, the damage started to appear. First, there were small cracks in the mortar joints. Then, damp spots began forming inside the house along the walls. Before he knew it, his once-solid brick exterior was spalling—flaking, chipping, and even crumbling in certain areas.
What went wrong?
Moisture had seeped into the porous brick and mortar. When winter temperatures dropped, that trapped water froze and expanded, causing the brick to break apart. Mold started forming inside the home, leading to air quality concerns and costly interior damage.
The Fix:
John had no choice but to call in the pros. The repair process involved:
- Brick Replacement: Severely damaged bricks had to be removed and replaced, which wasn’t cheap.
- Repointing: The crumbling mortar joints had to be scraped out and refilled with new mortar.
- Mold Remediation: Inside, mold treatment was necessary to prevent health hazards.
- Sealing & Waterproofing: Finally, a professional-grade waterproofing sealer was applied to prevent future damage.
The total cost? Thousands of dollars —a painful lesson that could have been avoided with routine maintenance.
The Commack Success Story: A Home That Stands the Test of Time
Just a few miles away in Commack, NY, Lisa had a very different experience. She moved into her brick home over a decade ago and, from the start, made waterproofing part of her regular home maintenance routine.
Every five years, she called in a professional to apply a high-quality breathable waterproofing sealer to her brick exterior. This sealer allowed moisture to escape while preventing new water from getting in—protecting her home against freeze-thaw damage, mold, and premature aging.
Thanks to her proactive approach, Lisa’s home has never needed a single major repair. No cracks, no spalling, and no interior damage—just a strong, beautiful brick exterior that continues to stand up against Long Island’s unpredictable weather.
The difference between John’s costly repairs and Lisa’s worry-free home came down to one thing: proactive waterproofing.
By investing in professional brick waterproofing every few years, homeowners can:
- Prevent costly repairs
- Protect against water damage and mold
- Extend the life of their brick exterior
- Maintain their home’s beauty and value
If your brick home has never been waterproofed—or it’s been years since your last treatment—now is the time to take action! Harbor Paints offers expert waterproofing services that will protect your home for years to come.
📞 Call us today at
631-385-4405 for a free consultation or visit Harbor Paints at
http://www.harborpaints.com to learn more! Click
here to watch the team in action.