Brick façades

Brick facades

panoramic view of canal and historic buildings in old warehouse district Speicherstadt in Hamburg

A history of brick masonry

Along with wood, stone and plant fibres, bricks are among the oldest building materials known to humankind. Earthen clay is mixed with sand, moulded and fired in kilns. The first bricks were shaped by hand, giving them irregular dimensions.

The production of waterproof blocks by firing dried moulds of clay or loam was already common in ancient times. Unlike unfired clay, which softens as a result of water entering the molecular structure, fired clay is no longer plastically deformable. Heating to 800 to 1000 °C makes the clay waterproof. In the process, water is expelled from the pores in the brick. Air now occupies the freed pore space, and the structure is porous and water-absorbent. A denser structure can be achieved by further heating to 1200 to 1300 °C. At such high temperatures, melting starts to occur. This creates a largely waterproof clinker from a porous, water-absorbent brick.

Our refurbishment systems

Façade cleaning

Encrusted dirt does not look good and offers no protection for a façade. Due to its large inner surface, a dirt layer is an excellent absorber of moisture and pollutants. These usually react on the underside of the encrusted dirt and produce damage, even if it is still hidden at first.

Chemical cleaning

Acidic cleaning agents are usually used, the active principle of which is essentially always the same: The acid component penetrates or migrates behind the encrusted dirt and causes it to dissolve, while surfactants enable the surface to be wetted, encapsulate the dirt and thus enable it to be washed off. Remmers BFA has a different active mechanism and is also very easy to handle. It can be used to remove all kinds of biological contamination, as well as offering preventive protection against new biological growth. Clean Galena is an innovative special product for removing deposits of lead and heavy metals that are harmful to health and the environment from façades. For every cleaning operation, the mantra is the same: “As intensively as necessary but as gently as possible”. Since an extremely wide range of substrates as well as types and intensity of contamination are possible, it is not always easy to make product recommendations. In case of doubt, we recommend testing out products on representative trial areas.

Mechanical cleaning with vortex jet technology

With vortex technology, the blasting particles do not hit the building material surface perpendicularly due to the rotation of the mixture of air, water and blasting material, unlike in conventional blasting methods, but rather at a much flatter angle. They glide over the surface and are not “fired” onto it. As a result, dirt is removed extraordinarily gently, and the degree and intensity of cleaning can be freely selected. From “just like new” to “preserve the patina”, everything is possible. The rotec vortex technology from Remmers is a logical refinement of the so-called “Jos” process; with the same cleaning effectiveness, nozzle wear is significantly reduced. The rotec glass powders are tailored to this technique with regard to their physical characteristics such as degree of hardness, grain shape, size and fraction and play an important role in achieving optimum results.
Crack repair

Cracks can occur in brickwork for many reasons: temperature stress, foundation subsidence and vibrations, to name just a few. Whatever the cause behind each individual case, the result is the same: a crack in brickwork is always a significant disruption to the structural system and must be repaired. With the Remmers spiral anchor system, masonry sections are reconnected to each other in a simple yet highly efficient way, so that the bond is re-established.
The spiral anchors only require minimal intervention in the masonry to be repaired, as they are laid in the joints. This means that even cracked stones can be reused. This is also one of the reasons why spiral anchors enjoy high acceptance in the field of monument conservation. In this way, cracks in façades and around lintels, openings or arches can be repaired successfully and cost-effectively.
Stone substitution systems

The Remmers restoration mortar system was specially developed for restoration or replacement of mineral building materials. So there’s no need to replace faulty bricks. Chipped edges, spalling, damaged surfaces or cracks can be repaired more easily, more quickly, just as permanently and usually with less visual impact by applying Remmers Restoration Mortars than by expensive stone replacement. With three different grain sizes, an virtually unlimited choice of colours and the option to mix mortars of different colours, there are no limits when it comes to matching Remmers Restoration Mortars to the brickwork.
Joint repair

Grouts

Up to 20% of a brick façade can be made up of joints. The shape and colour of the joint therefore significantly influence the appearance. In addition, the joints of a building serve a technical purpose. Their physical and mechanical properties, and above all their response to moisture, are crucial in determining the functionality and durability of a brick façade. An intact joint network is essential to ensuring that a façade can withstand driving rain. Penetrating moisture increases susceptibility to frost attacks and reduces the thermal protection – both of these outcomes need to be prevented. Remmers joint mortar comprises a wide spectrum of binder systems, grain sizes and strength classes, as well as an array of options when it comes to colour and hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties. This means that they can be adapted to the individual
areas of use and requirements in any situation.

Brick pointing

Thanks to the quality of the mortar and the special application technique, the grouted joint is characterised by particularly high-quality and durable flank adhesion. The process is very economical as there is no need to scrape out the old joint. The time spent chiselling and cutting out the joints is also eliminated, and any possible damage to the stone edges is ruled out. The mortar is also applied to the joints with much less effort compared to conventional grouting. Another advantage is that even narrow joints and small cracks are sealed flush with mortar. The bottom line: Around 25% time and cost savings compared to conventional repointing, combined with greater durability.
Impregnation and hydrophobic treatments

Water plays a central role in the weathering of mineral building materials. The aim of a hydrophobic impregnation is to significantly reduce capillary water absorption, as occurs, for example, during rainfall or exposure to splash water. It is a sensible, damage-preventing (prophylactic) measure if the capillary absorption of rainwater or splash water has the potential to trigger or accelerate a damage process, or if corresponding damage can already be observed. In addition, reducing the moisture content can improve the heat insulation of the façade brickwork. Hydrophobic treatment with Funcosil protects your bricks from damage and saves valuable energy.

What is the surface wetting angle?
The contact or surface wetting angle describes the angle formed by a liquid on the surface of a solid. If the contact angle is > 90°, then the surface is classed as hydrophobic.

Benefits of hydrophobic treatment

A hydrophobised building material is permanently protected from the ingress of liquid water thanks to the so-called “Gore-Tex effect”, while the water vapour diffusibility is not significantly reduced. This means that the pores and capillaries present in the building material remain permanently filled with air instead of water, and therefore the thermal insulation properties of the dry building material prevail.
Moisture-saturated building materials experience significant changes in their thermal insulation properties. The material-specific, free pore space is filled with water and takes on the excellent thermal conductivity of water. Fast and effective heat transport, which is desirable in a heating system, must be avoided at all costs in façade masonry. Damp building materials are very poor insulators! Considering energy saving and sustainability in particular, hydrophobic coatings are a simple but efficient means of improving the energy performance of a building.
The savings that can be achieved by applying a hydrophobic treatment can be up to 30% within a 90-day heating period of a European winter. In addition, hydrophobic impregnations not only reduce the susceptibility to soiling and biological growth, they also decrease the absorption of pollutants, as well as the risk of leaching and frost damage.

Effectiveness check

With the Funcosil test kit, it’s easy to check the effectiveness of a hydrophobic treatment. The kit contains extensive equipment for non-destructive testing to determine the water absorption of building materials that have been treated with a hydrophobic agent.

More info
Anti-graffiti measures

Remmers Graffiti Protection is a mixture of special silane/siloxane and wax compounds. This combination of ingredients makes the substrate water-repellent and at the same time builds up a separating layer on the treated surface. The wax component is microporous so that the treated surface remains open to diffusion. Graffiti and paint smears can be easily removed from the treated substrates by using a hot water high-pressure cleaner (hygrothermal cleaning). Remmers Graffiti Protection belongs to the class of semi-permanent graffiti protection systems, as the wax component must be renewed after graffiti removal. This is done by way of simple re-application. Remmers Graffiti Protection is listed in the category of surface-protecting anti-graffiti system C of the regulations of the association Gütegemeinschaft Anti Graffiti e. V., is RAL-certified and BASt-listed (list of tested anti-graffiti systems (AGS) for application on concrete surfaces on structures and components of federal traffic routes).
Regeneration of roof cladding

As an alternative to an expensive complete renovation, worn-out roof coverings can usually be repaired to an excellent standard with a regeneration coating. In our latitudes, these are usually made of clay or concrete roofing tiles. In addition to roof pitch, exposure and weather conditions, the material determines the appearance, quality, performance and ageing of the roof.
The rougher and more absorbent the surface exposed to the weather, the greater the absorption of water and pollutants and the associated weathering, damp and green discolouration. In the worst case, frost damage can result. Not only does the roof become unsightly, but ultimately it also offers only limited protection for the building.
A combination of gentle cleaning and durable surface protection in the form of a regeneration coating not only visually enhances the building, but also improves the structural and energetic standard. Remmers recommends the combined use of BFA, for removal of biological growth and prevention of regrowth, and Color PA Roof, the special coating for clay tiles, concrete roofing tiles and fibrated concrete sheets.
Thanks to its excellent covering power, good adhesion and permanent reduction of water absorption, Color PA Roof is ideal for coating roof coverings.

A history of brick masonry

The history of one of humanity’s oldest building materials

approx. 7500 BC

The oldest bricks (still mud bricks) were found in 1952 during archaeological excavations in Jericho (7500 BC).

from approx. 3000 BC

Smooth-textured bricks have been documented since about 6300 BC in Mesopotamia. At the beginning of the third millennium BC, fired clay in brick form was used on a large scale for the first time.

approx. 600 BC

The Ishtar Gate, built under Nebuchadnezzar II (604 to 562 BC) and now in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, is a remarkable testimony tothe level of perfection achieved in Babylonian times with regard to techniques for firing and glazing bricks.

approx. 100 BC to 400 AD

Thanks to the Romans, building with fired bricks became widespread throughout the Roman Empire. Roman bricks are typically thin bricks, which can still be seen today on various buildings from this period, although they were probably rendered or clad in their original state.

approx. 12th to 15th century

During the Gothic period in northern Germany, due to the scarcity of suitable natural stone, the so-called “brick Gothic” style developed its own architectural language.

approx. late 19th century

Until the Neo-Gothic period in the 19th century, most brick buildings were “hidden” under rendering.

approx. 1920s

Prominent brick buildings were also constructed in the 20th century. The period of the so-called “Brick Expressionism” is particularly noteworthy. Particularly impressive buildings were erected in the major cities of northern Germany, in the Ruhr region and in the Netherlands.

from approx. 1960

The single-skin brick façades that were still common in the post-war period are no longer being built. Since then, brick masonry has enjoyed great popularity as facing masonry.

from 1963

Remmers starts to establish a comprehensive product programme for the repair and maintenance of brick façades.

2000

Remmers starts to establish a comprehensive product programme for the repair and maintenance of brick façades.

2010

In 2010, the Bernhard Remmers Prize is awarded for the outstanding restoration of Kaispeicher B, the oldest building of the Speicherstadt district in Hamburg.

2017

The Elbphilharmonie concert hall is opened. The existing façade is repaired and given a hydrophobic treatment in the Remmers system.

Brochure – Brick and render façades

Our comprehensive brochure on brick and render façades contains all the facts to help you find durable, individual solutions for your project.

More info

References: brick façades

Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral (FR)

SuperHub, Groningen, the Netherlands

Spiral staircase, Rapunzel Naturkost, Legau, Germany

go to references archive

System products

Acryl pro

Article No. 780112

Plastoelastic sealing and adhesive compound

AGE

Article No. 136801

BFA

Article No. 067305

Bactericidal, fungicidal and algicidal combination product for cleaning and priming building materials with and at risk of green discolouration

Clean AC [basic]

Article No. 067201

Acidic cleaner

Clean FP

Article No. 066601

Cleaning paste for removing urban dirt

Clean Galena max

Article No. 066101

Cleaner for emission-free cleaning of mineral surfaces

Clean Galena neutral

Article No. 066201

Cleaner for emission-free cleaning of mineral surfaces

Clean WR

Article No. 067505

Acidic cleaner

Color LA

Article No. 640005

"True" silicone resin paint with film protection for surfaces prone to algae and fungi

Color LA Fill

Article No. 056010

"True" silicone resin paint with filling properties

Color PA Roof

Article No. 253113

Special coating for mineral substrates based on pure acrylate

Color SF [basic]

Article No. 641505

Silicone-resin-reinforced facade paint with film protection for surfaces prone to algae and fungi

Want to get it done with us?
Contact us!

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Extensive product range

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Systems with Remmers guarantee

You can be sure of a reliable and high-quality solution for every application.

There’s so much we can get done for you. Ask us how!

Of course, our competent field representatives are also available wherever you are to provide everyone involved in construction projects with additional, system-specific information and help with choosing the perfect system.

Façade restoration - brick façades

Our refurbishment systems

Chemical cleaning

Mechanical cleaning with vortex jet technology

Benefits of hydrophobic treatment

Effectiveness check

A history of brick masonry

approx. 7500 BC

from approx. 3000 BC

approx. 600 BC

approx. 100 BC to 400 AD

approx. 12th to 15th century

approx. late 19th century

approx. 1920s

from approx. 1960

from 1963

2000

2010

2017

Brochure – Brick and render façades

References: brick façades

Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral (FR)

SuperHub, Groningen, the Netherlands

Spiral staircase, Rapunzel Naturkost, Legau, Germany

System products

Acryl pro

AGE

BFA

Clean AC [basic]

Clean FP

Clean Galena max

Clean Galena neutral

Clean WR

Color LA

Color LA Fill

Color PA Roof

Color SF [basic]

Want to get it done with us? Contact us!

Your local contact

Peace of mind guaranteed

Express delivery

Specialist representatives directly on site

Extensive product range

Systems with Remmers guarantee

There’s so much we can get done for you. Ask us how!

Want to get it done with us?
Contact us!