When it comes to masonry construction, the goal is to establish a masonry structure that will last. But there are certain conditions that can cause it to deteriorate. Here are three things that can cause masonry deterioration.
(more…)Archive for the ‘ Masonry Construction ’ Category
Three Things that Cause Masonry Deterioration
Monday, October 28th, 2019How Weather Can Affect Masonry Construction
Monday, October 21st, 2019
Because many masonry construction projects can take a long time, you will probably experience weather changes. But the question is, what types of weather could be a concern? Here are some examples of weather that could affect your masonry construction.
(more…)3 Things to Ask Your Masonry Contractor
Thursday, October 17th, 2019
When you own a home, there are some tasks that you know you can easily DIY, while there are others that you never should try on your own. Electrical work is a pretty obvious example of something that requires a professional, but if you’re looking to have masonry repair work done on your property, you should find a specialist to complete these jobs as well. As you settle into the work of finding a great masonry contractor for your home improvement project, remember to ask each of them about these three things.
Are You Licensed, Certified, Insured, and Experienced?
Masons are required to hold a general contractor’s license and certifications from the MCAA. Ask your potential contractors to provide you with details about their licenses and certifications. Even with these, not all masons are created equal. When you ask about their certifications, also ask about their experience with your specific type of project or material, especially when it is something other than the standards, like brick. If they don’t have any, or their experience is very limited, you may be better off with a different mason. Finally, ask to see proof of insurance so you know that any mistakes or accidents will not fall on your homeowner’s insurance.
What Is The Project Timeline?
When you ask about the project timeline, they should be able to give you details on how they expect the whole thing to go. This includes not only how long they expect it to take, but what the payment schedule will be like, who will secure the building materials, and what clean-up will happen afterward. You should also ask what, if anything, they need you to do to prepare for the work, so you have a reasonable expectation of your responsibilities. Don’t settle for just an estimate of weeks till completion, push for details.
Can You Provide References?
Asking for references is a must when you’re deciding on any contractor, but those references are only worthwhile if you follow up and actually talk to them. Call the names that your potential contractor supplies and ask about their satisfaction with the project. You should also ask about how the contractor adhered to the intended timeline and any issues that came up. In addition to references, you could also ask the contractors for the addresses of any current masonry projects that you could visit so that you can see the work that they do, in-progress.
Contact Del Prete Masonry Today!
Whether you are ready to start your next masonry project or are still hesitant and have questions, Del Prete Masonry is here to help. We have the experience and expertise to get it right the first time. Questions? Want to visit some of our residential or commercial projects? Ready to set up a consultation? Feel free to give us a call at 410-683-0650 or visit us online. We are happy to serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and to keep up with our latest exciting projects, be sure to Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
What You Need to Know About Acid Washing
Monday, August 12th, 2019
After any new hardscaping project, you might notice that, in spite of cleaning the excess mortar, that there could be a chalky residue left behind. Fortunately, there is a simple remedy for this, which is an acid wash. By using an acid wash, your new masonry structure will be clean and look as fresh and new as it should. Here are some things you should know about acid washing.
How It Works
Acid washing cleans up the residue from a masonry project, such as a new installation or a repair job. By using a solution of acid, such as hydrochloric acid, that is diluted in water, the loose debris and thin film of mortar gets broken down so that it can be easily washed away. The reaction is usually mild and results in some bubbling, but in most cases, an acid wash eliminates the need for heavy scrubbing, which is why it is the preferred method of cleaning masonry.
DIY Acid Wash?
Although there are many acid wash products available at hardware stores for you to try yourself, there are a couple of reasons why it might not be a good idea to take on the project alone. First, most acid wash products require you to figure out the ratios for diluting the acid yourself. Even with instructions on the container, you might find that their recommendation is too weak or too strong for your project. Not to mention that handling acid can be very dangerous. Without the proper protective gear, you can get nasty chemical burns on your skin.
Hire a Professional
Lastly, acid washing can be a delicate process and if you leave the acid on too long or scrub it off too hard you run the risk of damaging your masonry structure. While acid washing can sometimes replace traditional cleanup or help make up for a sloppily installed masonry project, it won’t solve everything. It’s better to have an expert take care of your masonry maintenance so that you will have peace of mind that everything will turn out right.
Contact Del Prete Masonry Today!
Whether you are ready to start your next masonry project or are still hesitant and have questions, Del Prete Masonry is here to help. We have the experience and expertise to get it right the first time. Questions? Want to visit some of our residential or commercial projects? Ready to set up a consultation? Feel free to give us a call at 410-683-0650 or visit us online. We are happy to serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and to keep up with our new and exciting projects, be sure to Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
How to Take Care of Your New Masonry Structure
Monday, July 15th, 2019
With these guidelines, you will know the steps to properly care for your new masonry structure.
Adding a masonry structure to your home or business is certainly a high point for any construction process. Since it is a significant investment of time and money, it is good to know how to care for your masonry structure so that it can maintain its potential to last a lifetime. With these guidelines, you will know the steps to properly care for your new masonry structure.
Reasons Consider Masonry Materials
Monday, July 8th, 2019
Here are some reasons why you should choose masonry materials for your construction project.
There are many building materials to choose from, and if you’re reading this then you could be considering going with masonry for your next construction project. There are a few pros and cons to any type of material, and if the expense and labor-intensive involvement of masonry materials is a turn off, then keep in mind that there are several benefits that make it worth it in the long run. Here are some reasons why you should choose masonry materials for your construction project.
Helpful Pointers for Cleaning Your Masonry Structure
Monday, April 29th, 2019
It can be exciting to have a new masonry structure installed. Starting good maintenance habits now will help it stay in its best condition for as long as possible. And one important aspect of proper maintenance is cleaning. Here are a few tricks of the trade for cleaning your new masonry structure.
What is Acid Washing?
Monday, February 18th, 2019
After any wet-set hardscaping installation, you need to give your project an acid wash remove any leftover residue and bring the stone to life.
You’ve completed your new hardscaping project and cleaned up most of the extra mortar, but there’s still a chalky residue keeping your new installation from looking the way you expected. It’s time for an acid wash to finish up your new feature. After any wet-set hardscape installation, you need to give your project a final clean to help remove any leftover residue and bring the stone to life.
4 Common Types of Masonry Materials
Friday, November 16th, 2018
Stone is one of the more expensive masonry materials, known for its timeless look and durability!
Masonry is the act of building and constructing with the use of stone materials. These masonry materials serve as the backbone of many crucial constructions such as buildings, walls, and various pieces of hardscaping. What masonry materials are the most commonly used and best ones to use for masonry projects? Here are four of the most common types of masonry materials.
Stone
If you are looking for more aesthetically pleasing masonry materials, then stone may be exactly what you need. Stone is a classic, timeless look for masonry materials, which makes it perfect if you desire stylish masonry materials for your project. It is also a durable, low maintenance material to work with after your project is done. It is damage-resistant which helps with its great durability.
Concrete
Concrete is one of the most common types of masonry materials you will find. For starters, it is among the cheaper masonry materials to work with, which makes it desirable for bigger projects. Concrete also carries with it a high insulation factor, which can help cut the utility costs for the building it is used for. It is also made more common due to the fact that it allows for construction to go along faster that other masonry materials.
Stucco
Much like stone, stucco is one of the most highly durable masonry materials. Its high damage resistance will allow for it to last for a considerable amount of time without worry. However, stucco is not without its drawbacks. There are concerns for stucco that other masonry materials do not need to worry about. For example, there is the concern that moisture could accumulate on downward slopes in the stone. Additionally, construction can very easily get messy when dealing with stucco.
Brick
Brick is another common masonry material that is often found amongst masonry projects. Brick has always been preferred to other masonry materials for well suited reasons. It is a special type of masonry material considering that it has been used for centuries without ever really disappearing. This is partly because it is both wind and fire resistant, as well as controls moisture quite well. It is low maintenance, but it should be noted that when repairs are needed, they can be costly. Their weight can also place quite a bit of stress on the structures they are used for, which you should keep an eye out for.
Contact Del Prete Masonry Today for Your Construction Project!
If you are ready to upgrade your home or commercial building with professional masonry installation or replacement, Del Prete Masonry has the experience and expertise to get the job done right for the right price. To explore our residential and commercial services and set up a consultation, please give us a call at 410-683-0650 or contact us online. We currently serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and get more updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.
The Steps to Preparing Your Site for Masonry Construction
Friday, October 26th, 2018
Excavating is the process of digging up any necessary dirt to prepare your site for masonry construction!
A new construction project is a big investment and requires a lot of planning and preparation. A commonly overlooked step in the construction process is preparing the actual site. You may think that starting construction is as easy as picking an empty lot and starting to build, but that is not the case. Here are the steps to preparing your site for masonry construction.
Rough Staking
This is the process of laying out the masonry construction project. This is an important step because it costs money to clear out a construction site, so it will save both time and money to know what needs to be done in advance. Rough stakes look like long sticks that are put into the ground to outline the area where the masonry construction will take place. This gives you and your masonry contractor an idea of what space they are working with.
Clearing
After the site is rough staked, the next step is to clear everything and make room for construction. Trees, roots, vegetation, and anything else that may be in the way need to be cleared. When clearing a spot, you must decide what to do with the debris. The easiest option (also the most expensive) is to hire someone to haul it away, but you could also opt to bury or burn it.
Excavation
If your masonry building is going to have a basement, then the ground will need to be excavated to accommodate for that. You will need to consider what to do with the excess dirt that is dug out of the ground. You may choose to use the dirt to fill in areas on the property that could use more dirt.
Rough Grading
Rough grading is when you shift dirt around to get the desired grade level that you want for your masonry construction project. When you do this, be sure to consider any drainage needs for the building. The best way to do rough grading is to cut and fill evenly in order to avoid those expensive hauling costs. This simply means that you want to use dirt you already need to dig up to fill open spaces and vise versa.
Contact Del Prete Masonry Today for Your Masonry Construction Project!
Whether you are ready to start your next masonry project or are still hesitant and have questions, Del Prete Masonry is here to help. We have the experience and expertise to get it right the first time. Questions? Want to visit some of our residential or commercial projects? Ready to set up a consultation? Feel free to give us a call at 410-683-0650 or visit us online. We are happy to serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and to keep up with our new and exciting projects, be sure to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.