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Most problems with brick veneer sidings occur along the mortar joints; you’ll find that you seldom have problems with the bricks themselves. If mortar is poorly applied or contains substandard ingredients, it will eventually crumble. Even the best mortar wears away eventually: the mortar shrinks and cracks open. Freeze-thaw cycles in cold-winter climates, heavy rain, settling, and earthquakes also result in mortar problems. Heavy rain and dampness can cause brick to lose its effectiveness as insulation and may eventually affect the finish of interior surfaces.
You may also notice a white powder on some brick veneer. This is called efflorescence. It may be part of the normal action of heavy moisture in your climate, or it may indicate a leak. You can clean the efflorescence by washing it and scrubbing it with a brush. If your bricks are grimy, use a little TSP in warm water to wash them. Be sure to rinse away all the TSP as it may leave a residue or stain.
Keep weepholes cleared of crumbled mortar and debris so that moisture does not build up between the brick and the interior surfaces of the wall.
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