subscribe for weekly content + fun stuff! We exposed brick walls in my c.1799/c.1872 house as well as our c.1985 house (back side of the chimney). Clean the brick surface first to avoid sealing in dirt and grime. Spalling is when brick masonry begins to deteriorate to the point chunks of brick are falling from the structure. ReplyCancel, Looks GREAT! 75. Excessive moisture on bricks may damage the stone and result in a crumbling fireplace. What’s the best way to do this—from the top? I also want a matt finish so that its not shiney which i have been advised PVa will leave it. The area that needs attention is where the chimney meets the roof. I was pleasantly surprised, as it exceeded my expectations, by enclosing small cracks and fissures in my external chimney bricks.No more leaks and leaching through the bricks below. Best Answer. suggestions. A-T Brick Chimney Sealer is 100% breathable and allows water vapor from the interior of the building to escape. Glasses and a mask were crucial here, as these old bricks were dustier than we anticipated! Bricks are just clay that was fired in a kiln. Step 5 – Paint Bricks. We welcome your comments and And will sealing it up cause problems for the chimney down the road? Although brick is tough and durable, water can wreak havoc on this age-old building material. Sealing a Chimney Crown The chimney crown is an almost flat surface and it’s made of concrete or mortar. homeowner. As a quick refresher, here’s a quick before/during/after of the dining room in Unit 1. If you're not quite so lucky, and rain doesn't fall quite so often in your location, you'll have to provide your own. Brick fireplaces may require sealing to keep moisture absorption to a minimum. Advertisement . Make certain that you seal the fireplace opening before you start repairing the chimney to keep from making a large and near impossible mess to clean. In severe cases, chimney caps have to be repaired or replaced, or the chimney may need to be repointed. If you live in the Northwest or other similarly rainy location, finding a leak in your brick chimney is easy. We were very surprised to see the bricks actually change color! The first step to waterproofing your chimney is to determine how much material is needed. Spalling bricks give way to further problems with your chimney and even other areas of your home. Even with the damper closed, the fireplace flue seems to dump cold air into the house all winter, so I’d like to seal it up. By simply sealing the bricks and the crown and adding a chimney cap, you’ll greatly extend your chimney’s life. LastiSeal Brick & Masonry Sealer - All Purpose Brick, Concrete, Stone, & Masonry Sealer for Interior/Exterior Use - 15-Service Life (1-Gal) 4.3 out of 5 stars 101. Next we liberally sprayed a 4:1 ratio of Simple Green over small sections of chimney and allowed it to sit for a couple of minutes. Once the trim work was complete and the dust had settled, we were ready to get sealing! We are actually in the process of chiseling away at our own brick chimney so this will definitely come in handy. If neglected, a brick chimney can allow leaks into the inside of a house in multiple ways. What you do next depends on where the leak in the brick chimney occurs. Copyright© Sealing your interior exposed brick walls will help with the moisture. Bricks that have been repeatedly soaked will exhibit efflorescence. Having a go at repairing my own chimney an making it secure an safe. It shouldn’t be made of mortar, but there’s a good chance that it is anyway. When it comes to sealing a brick chimney there are a few things to consider. The first step is to clean the surface. With the exception of a few small bits of trim that we’ll address before paint, the exposed chimneys at the Two Flat are scrubbed and sealed! There were a few areas of primer overspray that we wanted to remove and we also wanted to smooth out any uneven areas in the new mortar. Before sealing a brick chimney, clean the surface with a brick cleaner to remove all curing compounds or visible stains such as mold, mildew, efflorescence, or rust. The Low Lustre finish turned out better than we could’ve hoped for! I have a brick chimney with two flues— one for a boiler, the other for an unused fireplace. Obviously, if I left the bricks as they are now, I will be forever plagued with brick dust and crap covering my carpet, so I need to seal it. He noted that there was some condensation inside the chimney...this could contribute the odor generation. FREE Shipping. The air flow helps keep the chimney dry and ward off … I’ve been looking for some helpful guide in cleaning interior bricks and this one is one of the best. Older, brick chimneys with metal liners may have to be treated differently than metal B-vent chimneys. Cleaning. Love the character the exposed brick adds to a space. Leaks in a brick chimney can be dangerous for your home. Posted by admin on August 22, 2016. Look for holes or other places in the brick chimney where water has leaked through the bricks, especially in the flashing between where the chimney meets the roof. Spalling progresses more rapidly in freezing climates. Leaks occur in places where sealant in the brick chimney flashing has become broken or damaged. You'll need to get safe and sturdy footing on your roof, as this is the most common way to clean the chimney. Some sealers can give the brick a shiny look, so you may want to look for one that does not. Depending on the style of your home, and the height of the top of the chimney above your roof, special equipment may be needed for this task. However, if you want to permanently close up your chimney, cutting out a foam insulation plug and placing it in the bottom of the chimney and caulking around it is the best method. As chimneys heat up and cool down, moisture is created inside the chimney; this moisture normally escapes through the brick and mortar joints, but if a sealer is used, the moisture will remain trapped, and this trapped moisture will freeze and then thaw as it warms up. Leaks allow moisture into your home which can Sealing leaks in a brick chimney can be a lot of hard work but can save you a lot of time and hassle in the future if you seal the leak before it causes too much damage. Silane/Siloxane products are penetrating and will leave no visible sheen or gloss. The most difficult part of sealing your old chimney is at the top, due to obvious concerns with height and safety. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Measure all the sides of your chimney to determine the total area. Sealing up an unused brick fireplace chimney will save money on your heating bills and increase your comfort level at home.In addition to letting in cold, these chimneys pull hot air out of the house. Whats the best way to seal the exposed brick work on a chimney to reduce the dust. We started the project by giving every portion of chimney a quick dry brush with the deck brush and a once-over with the wet/dry vac to remove any loose bits. Consider the fact that a proper masonry chimney is presumed to be able to safely endure extremely high temperatures for short intervals, e.g., a chimney fire lasting a few minutes at 1,800 degrees F, without necessarily burning down your house. Once the brick has been cleaned, make sure the mortar joints and bricks are in good condition. Drag your hose up to the roof and spray water on your brick chimney, especially in the flashing. We will always disclose sponsored posts in the text and by using the ‘sponsored' tag. As it expands and contracts, it will cause the faces of the bricks to pop off (called spalling). First, check the cap on the chimney. Chimney Brick Sealer, Clear Water-Based Siloxane Sealer - Breathable Water Repellent for All Exterior, Vertical Masonry Surfaces, 1 gal . Although brick is tough and durable, water can wreak havoc on this age-old building material. Advertisement. Need to seal to try and minimize brick dust. Remember, it's important for your safety and the health of your house to fix any leaks in your brick chimney as soon as they're discovered. Anyway, sealing and capping by a Mason or some Chimney Sweeps who also do minor repairs - probably about $100-250 for the sealing depending on whether just the above-roof part or entire chimney exterior surface to the ground, capping (just taking off the chimney cap and screening and replacing with a domed sheet metal cap) usually about $100 on same trip. concrete, stamped concrete, interlocking pavers, brick, block (CMU), natural and manufactured stone Typical services provided: Block wall repair- vehicle damage, tree damage, etc. Again! Remove the old crown from the Chimney; Get the flue liner extension and attach it; Build the brick surrounding the newly attached crown; Allow the mortal to settle around the extended chimney flue liner; Remove the Old crown from the Chimney With the aid of a Chisel and hammer, gently remove the old crown which is the chimney's headpiece. But brick has a tendency of absorbing water from rains. After you're done, look down the chimney with your flashlight as described above. ReplyCancel, Finally, I found this. These surfaces are at some risk of cracking and spalling (breaking into smaller pieces) due to freeze/thaw cycles. Use a brush for small spaces or a sprayer for large walls. Today, we’re breaking down the final step of cleaning and sealing the brick to provide a beautiful protective finish and eliminate dust later on. Sealing these leaks are a little more involved than just applying sealant. How to Seal Exterior Brick. Both items are on our punch list, curious if order is significant here. How Will You Celebrate Mother’s Day This Year? It initial... Chimney liner in failing brick chimney - Options? Water can also be trapped within the brick and mortar and then freeze during winter time. Apply sealant to the flashing of your brick chimney using a caulking gun. The chimney should be clean and free of dirt, oil, dust and any unwanted contaminants. And with what materials? Thanks. Website operating How to Successfully Repair a Chimney Lea... How to Successfully Repair a Chimney Leak. Common Causes Of Spalling Bricks & How To Fix Crumbling Masonry. For reference, the first photo was taken just before we started the chiseling project, the second was taken just before the tuckpointing and the third was taken after the final cleaning and sealing. 4 4 Answers from MyBuilder Chimney & Fireplace Specialists. From the bottom? Let the sealant dry after application, and unless you purchased a sealant meant for wet weather, avoid getting it wet during the drying process. They absorb a large amount of water regularly, especially when driven by hard winds. Most cement slabs (crown) are too thinly poured. My wife and I just bought a hundred year old house in Oklahoma City that was renovated inside. I’m currently renovating a bedroom, and after removing some very old plaster back to the brickwork, I noticed the brick feature looked rather good. This is an unsightly white or gray sediment … After cleaning, use a water sealer appropriate for brick surfaces to seal your fireplace properly. It’s pretty messy/dusty!ReplyCancel. In severe cases, chimney caps have to be repaired or replaced, or the chimney may need to be repointed. You might be looking at your old chimney and thinking about removal. Water repellent sealers will chemically react within the pores of the brick and mortar to form an invisible hydrophobic barrier that can't be seen or felt from the surface. (The flues “float” inside the brick chimney walls; that is, they’re supported by the brick but not attached to it.) We completed the first step in this fairly dirty process a few months back, then had our favorite concrete contractor come in for some interior tuck pointing to backfill the spots where the mortar had crumbled over the years. Chimney fires can ignite instantly—those who have experienced them describe it as an explosion followed by a sound similar to a freight train. I have a brick chimney with two flues— one for a boiler, the other for an unused fireplace. Once the loose bits were knocked down and cleaned up, we moved on to the next dusty step. One of the features that was chosen as a showcase was an interior brick chimney that rises through the middle of the entire house, on both floors. In the event you wish to remove the chimney for purely aesthetic reasons, the effort involved may prove more than it’s worth. For severe mold, mildew, fungus, or algae use a bleach solution. Tuck Pointing, Brick and Chimney Repair Toronto | Turnbull Masonry Ltd > Blog > Blog > Common Causes Of Spalling Bricks & How To Fix Crumbling Masonry. Spalling Treatment. 4.8 out of 5 stars 7. Problem: Leaking Chimney Bricks Product Used: LastiSeal Brick Sealer "This product worked great. The answer to your question will largely depend on the location and composition of the existing, unused chimney in your home. A brick chimney is made from brick and mortar, which are naturally porous materials. If you have a fireplace with a chimney, it’s your responsibility to maintain it. I knocked down an unused brick chimney from roof. How to Attach Roof Flashing to Masonry W... How to Attach Roof Flashing to Masonry Walls. The best type of sealer to use on a chimney, both brick, stone or masonry based, is of a silane/siloxane chemistry. Bricks can absorb this water and transfer it to the frame or drywall of your building. The next morning, we popped back over for a quick inspection and decided to apply a second coat for good measure. This one chimney can be seen from four rooms, so for reference, we’ve noted the location of each photo in the captions. A brick chimney is one of a home’s most cherished features. We’re collecting paint quotes, and we’re in the final stages of choosing color. The freezing causes the water to expand and damage the brick. A-T Brick Chimney Sealer 5 Gallon Pail-Easy Use Siloxane Brick Sealer for a Natural Look After Application-Water-Based, Low VOC and Environmentally Friendly. It’s worth mentioning that each of these steps happened on every chimney surface. You’d pay a pro about $1,000 to do all three, so the savings is huge. The most common part of a chimney that causes leaks is in between the cement slab and the body. This step was as simple as shaking up the jug of sealer and carefully pouring it into the pump sprayer. When the opportunity to expose the one in our ongoing Two Flat project presented itself, we jumped on it! We’re no strangers to this step of the process and it always feels incredibly satisfying to see what the ‘perfect imperfections’ look like when finished. If your home has a brick chimney that is not installed outside the exterior wall, it should have … The leak could be in the flashing or could be in the brick or mortar. The surfaces just feel nice. Once we’d allowed time for the cleaner to penetrate, we aggressively brushed all of the surfaces with our deck brush one more time. However, I can’t find any good advice (for the UK) of what to use to do about this. A-T Brick Chimney Sealer 5 Gallon Pail-Easy Use Siloxane Brick Sealer for a Natural Look After Application-Water-Based, Low VOC and Environmentally Friendly. That’s pretty much it! We popped the wire wheel onto our handy little drill/driver and started in on the rough spots. Click to enlarge illustration. When it's time to use the chimney again, all you have to do is deflate the plug and pull it out. Now that all of the loose bits and rough spots were removed, it was time to remove actual soil. Even worse, cracks in a brick chimney that continue from the flue to the exterior are one cause behind a terrifying, devastating phenomenon: a chimney fire. We started this step of the process by laying drop cloths around our work area to protect our newly finished floors. The first step is to clean the surface. The best type of sealer to use on a chimney, both brick, stone or masonry based, is of a silane/siloxane chemistry. This will compromise the rest of the chimney structure. If you’re itching to see the walls and all that trim painted now, we feel you! Great work!ReplyCancel, Thank you, everything is detailed by steps.ReplyCancel, I have a brick wall around our fireplace that has water damage from a leak. https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-seal-a-leaking-brick-chimney After we’d allowed the bricks to air dry for a few hours, it was time to spray our sealer. Locate the source of the water and try to divert it from the bricks. A brick chimney is made from brick and mortar, which are naturally porous materials. Often times the cap will start to deteriorate and can cause water to get in and travel down into the house. The best kinds contain silanes or siloxanes. Brick fireplaces may require sealing to keep moisture absorption to a minimum. That looks amazing!ReplyCancel, Thanks for sharing! She’s looking like a real home, and it’s only looking up from here! It provides a hint of sheen, but it also does a nice job of evening out the tone of new and old mortar. The edge of the slab will often separate from the bricks and water will easily flow into the crack. Thanks for the tips on the Behr product and the garden sprayer idea! A high-quality polyurethane caulk seals the flue/crown gap and prevents water penetration. Fortunately, the process of sealing brick is a fairly easy and inexpensive project. Before applying the new sealant to fix the leak in your brick chimney, you'll need to scrape out the previous sealant using a scraper. I don't think that sealing an old chimney is a very difficult task and will give you my view on the necessary steps to stop your dripping. Watch this video on how to wrap an entire chimney with a rubber membrane sealing it. Even with the damper closed, the fireplace flue seems to dump cold air into the house all winter, so I’d like to seal it up. home improvement and repair website. Waterproofing and sealing a chimney can be vital to its structural integrity. Brick, concrete, stone and other masonry products are porous; therefore, water can be a menace to its longevity. SX5000 Penetrating Clear Solvent-Based Silane-Siloxane Sealer – Best Brick and Masonry Sealer for … A chimney rebuild costs $1,000 to $3,500 on average to reface all the bricks or stucco from the crown to the roofline. Clean the brick surface first to avoid sealing in dirt and grime. Cheltenham • Member since 29 Oct 2008 • 34 jobs, 100% positive feedback. It is relatively simple to insulate a chimney to reduce heat loss now, but not eliminate the possibility of using it again in the future. The chimney should be clean and free of dirt, oil, dust and any unwanted contaminants. Get Rid of Spalling Brick on Your Chimney. $34.99 LastiSeal Brick & Masonry Sealer - All Purpose Brick, Concrete, Stone, & Masonry Sealer for Interior/Exterior Use - 15-Service Life (1-Gal) 4.2 out of 5 stars 94. Once the sprayer was pumped up and pressurized, we carefully sprayed one even coat of sealer onto the bricks (again with drop cloths in place to protect the floors and trim). Consider the fact that a proper masonry chimney is presumed to be able to safely endure extremely high temperatures for short intervals, e.g., a chimney fire lasting a few minutes at 1,800 degrees F, without necessarily burning down your house. A brick chimney sealer will also reduce the chance of mold, mildew, and salt deposits that become an eyesore and decrease your home’s value. $205.75 $ 205. A quality chimney sealer will line masonry pores to lock out water and moisture, protect the mortar joints, and prolong the life of the chimney. Calculate the area of each side of your chimney, then add all four sides together to come up with the total area. It likely wasn’t necessary, but we wanted to make sure that the uneven, porous surface was thoroughly coated before calling the project done. Apply several coats of the sealant with a brush or sprayer. $205.75 $ 205. The best brick chimney sealer to use on exterior brick and mortar is a penetrating water repellent sealer. When it's time to use the chimney again, all you have to do is deflate the plug and pull it out. I would recommend this product everyone with a brick chimney." Clean off any areas of … A chimney needs a vent, not just at the top (provided by the cap) but also at the bottom. To stop your chimney from being a major source of heat loss you need to insulate inside the chimney from the top and bottom, in addition to insulating the exterior. Chimney fires can ignite instantly—those who have experienced them describe it as an explosion followed by a sound similar to a freight train. The best brick chimney sealer to use on exterior brick and mortar is a penetrating water repellent sealer. Sealing up an unused brick fireplace chimney will save money on your heating bills and increase your comfort level at home.In addition to letting in cold, these chimneys pull hot air out of the house. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Even worse, cracks in a brick chimney that continue from the flue to the exterior are one cause behind a terrifying, devastating phenomenon: a chimney fire. Waterproofing the porous surface with a dependable waterproofer can extend the life of the surface and help keep it looking great, longer. We’ve always loved the look of imperfect old brick chimneys. PS: We have a comprehensive list of all of our favorite tools here, if you’d like to see! Water may also be leaking from roof gutters, plumbing fixtures, or air conditioner condensate drain lines. B J D BUILDING/ROOFING. MasonryDefender Interior/Exterior Brick Sealer is a durable, water-based, clear, acrylic sealer designed to seal interior or exterior brick & masonry walls, giving them a slight satin sheen. While the photos reflect the steps in appropriate order, they highlight different sections of chimney. Chimney Refacing Cost. The sealer requires 4 hours of cure time between additional coats, so we gave everything one final inspection to make sure there were no drips or drops then called it a day. Our goal with this house, however, has always been to celebrate the imperfections and character that make it unique and special as opposed to covering them up! The wire wheel helped make quick work of the problem areas and we were ready to start scrubbing. 4139. Fortunately, the process of sealing brick is a fairly easy and inexpensive project. When it comes to sealing a brick chimney there are a few things to consider. The two biggest locations where you will find a leak occurs in one of two places. Often times the cap will start to deteriorate and can cause water to get in and travel down into the house. This is my first winter in this house, so I'm discovering new ... Sealing around fireplace/chimney - fire rated. Our Warm Weather Bucket List + a Printable. Severe spalling requires new bricks, mortar, sealing, and a new chimney cap. Repair Cracks to Prevent Chimney Fires . Regardless of the motivation many homeowners often reach this conclusion. Imagine how long your "pie-plate" seal will last at that temperature. $58.00 $ 58. When a chimney does not have to be aesthetically pleasing, then wrapping it with a rubber membrane will be the most inexpensive way to seal … Installing New Shingles: Should Chimney Flashing Be Replaced? There was an old fireplace in our cabin. Remember, it's important for your safety and the health of your house to, fix any leaks in your brick chimney as soon as they're discovered. That means when you notice that bricks are spalling, you must find a solution immediately or you’re putting everyone in danger. © 2021 Yellow Brick Home|ProPhoto theme|La Lune, We’re no strangers to this step of the process, the first step in this fairly dirty process, a comprehensive list of all of our favorite tools here. Sealants can give off harmful fumes, so use adequate ventilation or wear a respirator. Before sealing a brick chimney, clean the surface with a brick cleaner to remove all curing compounds or visible stains such as mold, mildew, efflorescence, or rust. This action is different than sealing the flue itself, which runs the length of the chimney. Wind-driven rain can hit the exterior of your house hard enough to drive moisture through the bricks' pores. Seal (+ Additional Coats if Needed) After we’d allowed the bricks to air dry for a few … They are excellent at repelling water, preventing mold and mildew build up and preventing unsightly efflorescence. Chimney Flashing Repair: How to Repair L... Chimney Flashing Repair: How to Repair Loose Flashing. Cleaning. They are excellent at repelling water, preventing mold and mildew build up and preventing unsightly efflorescence. Solving the underlying problem that is allowing moisture into the masonry is the most important step in treating spalling. Excessive moisture on bricks may damage the stone and result in a crumbling fireplace. There are few options that will allow you to easily seal off your flue: a silicone rubber seal or inflatable sealer… Make sure that all areas of the chimney that were in need or repair have been repaired, and are in good working condition. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Step 4 – Seal Bricks. How to seal a Chimney crown or cap. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. – Using salvaged bricks to build your chimney because older bricks tend to be more porous – Cleaning your home’s brickwork with a sandblaster or pressure washer that strip off the waterproofing sealant. You may freely link Waterproofing a chimney is well worth the investment and can last for several years. When you brick up the fireplace you need to fit either an air brick or a plastic/metal vent to allow air flow through the stack. Unfortunately, this is not as simple as it first seems, and there are many factors to consider before you begin. In truth, few chimneys built before the mid-1980s have crowns built this well. Required fields are marked *, It was well worth your efforts. This helps to reduce spalling caused by water trapped in the brick and then freezing. All information is provided "AS IS." Your email is never published or shared. Here, you’ll be sealing off the flue’s mouth from your home to prevent drafts when the fireplace isn’t in use. If unchecked, water will seep into the inside of a house’s interior and damage the carpet, drywall, framing, etc. The chimney crown is cracked. 75. View our Privacy Policy here. For new brick walls, it is always best to wait 28 days after construction is finished so that the mortar has time for the alkalinity to get back to near neutral. It may be little additional work to remove the old chimney and patch the roof sheathing, rather than properly sealing the old, unused chimney flashing to the new roofing. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Silane/Siloxane products are penetrating and will leave no visible sheen or gloss. Cracks in chimney crowns can lead to spalling bricks. https://www.yellowbrickhome.com/how-to-clean-and-seal-interior-brick Sealing and insulating the clay flue at the top and bottom of the stack will ensure the job will yield these desired results. We had this service performed to help remove/reduce a chimney/old-fire odor that has developed in recent years. Seal. You can also seal the edges with foam weatherstripping tape, too. After a rainstorm, climb to your roof and look down into your brick chimney with a flashlight. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be However, if you want to permanently close up your chimney, cutting out a foam insulation plug and placing it in the bottom of the chimney and caulking around it is the best method. You can also seal the edges with foam weatherstripping tape, too. Protect your brick chimney from the damages of water with our natural look penetrating brick chimney sealer. How to Seal Exterior Brick. Hello, I posted this in the masonry forum but thought it may do better here... Hi everyone. We didn’t hesitate to get a little aggressive with our brushing since we wanted anything that was eventually going to come loose to come loose now. There is no need to remove the fireback from the fireplace, although if a back boiler is fitted, this should be removed once the plumbing has been isolated and disconnected. This is so helpful and we’re so excited to get started on our wall!ReplyCancel, I’d do it before. Water repellent sealers will chemically react within the pores of the brick and mortar to form an invisible hydrophobic barrier that can't be seen or felt from the surface. We realize that the look of old exposed interior bricks may not be for everyone. Here are the steps you will need to take to seal a leak in your brick chimney. 4.6 out of 5 stars 72. FREE Shipping. This site uses affiliate links. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. https://penetratingconcretesealers.com/sealer-uses/brick-chimney-sealers Chimney Flashing Repair: How to Re-Seal ... Chimney Flashing Repair: How to Re-Seal Flashing. Sealing a brick chimney is very easy and can usually be done in about 30 minutes or less depending on the size of the chimney. 4.8 out of 5 stars 7. There are two ways to solve this problem. Imagine how long your "pie-plate" seal will last at that temperature. Customers' Feedback and Tips. After an old fire surround and hearth has been removed, the hole in the chimney breast can be bricked in to tidy up the wall. We had a wood stove installed in f... Hello, I have a large window that's been leaking a couple years. The materials cost less than $300, and you can complete all three procedures in just a few hours. Do I still use these methods to clean the brick back to normal?ReplyCancel, We don’t have any experience cleaning water damaged brick, but as long as the source of the damage has been repaired, we think gentle cleaning should be OK.ReplyCancel, Would you recommend doing this after refinishing floors? A fireplace surrounded by brick adds warmth and a cozy feeling to a room. First, the damaged pieces of brick and mortar need to be removed.