Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Brikcrete: Can it be repaired?

My home was built in the late '40's, and the exterior is a "fake" brick I am told is Brikcrete. It looks like a fairly large-grained cement block, and is red. Several planters were built with, I think, the same material. The bricks have internal cavities. My problems are multifold: The planters, and the sides of the front steps, are falling apart, apparently from water/freeze damage. Some of it is the mortar, but more than I'd like is the brikcrete itself. The second problem is that the surface of the bricks appears to be eroding under the force of (50 years worth) of rain. For instance, I can see under an overhang, and inside the garage, the original color/surface texture, but there is a definite line where rain could/could not hit the surface. The surface is lighter and more open-grained where the rain has hit.

Is there a sealant that would be effective to prevent further "erosion" and perhaps restore some color?

In the event that I can salvage enough of the planter or steps, how do I put them back together and stop the same thing from happening again?

Thanks for the help.

Don
djwallace@bigfoot.com