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Posts Tagged ‘ brickwork ’

How Can the Brickwork’s Age Influence its Stability?

Thursday, October 27th, 2022
del prete masonry brickwork's age can influence its stability

This blog post will discuss how the brickwork’s age can influence its stability.

The age of your Maryland brickwork will impact numerous things, such as its overall strength and necessary repair processes. Brickwork can last centuries with proper maintenance and repairs. This starts with understanding your brickwork’s unique makeup. For one, there has been a shift in mortar mixtures and application processes over the years. Knowing when to use age-old techniques and when to utilize newer methods of brickwork restoration is vital, which is why it’s best to hire an experienced mason professional like Del Prete Masonry! This blog post will discuss how the brickwork’s age can influence its stability. (more…)

Common Causes of Masonry Damage

Friday, January 14th, 2022
Common Causes of Masonry Damage del prete masonry
Masonry buildings are very long-lasting in residential and commercial construction projects, but damage can still happen

Masonry buildings are still undeniably popular among residential, commercial, and even industrial construction projects. In fact, when it comes to masonry, there are many different perks associated with the material itself. The reality is, masonry materials will add significant durability and strength to any building which play a significant factor in why it has become and continues to stay so popular among construction jobs throughout the industry itself. With all of that in mind, masonry damage can still occur. Ultimately, property owners need to take the time to understand and learn the common causes of masonry damage. So they can take preventative measures to help eliminate or reduce the damage that might occur — either over time or due to weather conditions.

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How to Remove Mold From Bricks

Friday, October 29th, 2021
How to Remove Mold From Bricks del prete masonry
Mold is a common problem for brickwork because it doesn’t take much for it to grow in any environment.

Mold is a common problem for brickwork because it doesn’t take much for mold to grow in any environment. Whether your building is constructed with bricks or you have brick accents like walls, walkways, or stairs, you have likely seen mold at some point. Mold can thrive anywhere moisture remains for any length of time. Ignoring the mold will only allow it to grow more, negatively impacting the appearance of your brickwork as well as the strength and durability. Here are some tips for removing mold from bricks.

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Residential Brick Restoration, What to Expect

Monday, February 11th, 2019

Concerned about the signs of wear and tear in your brick masonry? Here are a few things to inspect when taking these steps to preserve the beauty of your home.

Your beautiful brick home may have been in the family for generations. Or you may have bought a fixer-upper with masonry that had a lot of character and potential. However you came to own your home, you may be concerned about the signs of wear and tear in your brick masonry could lead to larger issues in the future. Fortunately, regular inspections and calling a professional for restoration, or even repairs,  is a simple way to handle issues like worn, cracked brick and crumbling mortar.  Here are a few things to inspect when taking these steps to preserve the beauty of your home.

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Dealing with Brick Efflorescence

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016

efflorescence

Newly constructed brick masonry may have brick efflorescence occur.

Have you ever seen brickwork with powdery scum on it that’s white, brown, green or yellow? That’s what masons call efflorescence. Efflorescence has been a masonry problem for thousands of years, and occurs when deposits of water-soluble salts are left on the surface of the bricks as water evaporates. This usually happens about a month after a building is constructed, but sometimes as long as a year after completion. (more…)

5 Reasons to Choose Brick

Friday, November 11th, 2016

brick structure

Choose brick because it’s timeless.

1. Genuine clay brick is a durable, natural material.

Brick is made from clay and shale, two of the most abundant, natural materials on earth. These materials are fired through a kiln at up to 2000 degrees, fusing together into the durable material we call brick. Clay brick is actually much stronger than concrete brick, and boasts thousands of color and shade options that will not fade.

2. Brick has been in use for centuries.

Brick started as a building essential in the Near East and India over 5,000 years ago. It has since been used by the ancient Egyptians, the Indus Valley civilization and the Romans. Today, it remains a popular all-American building product that is a staple for our infrastructure. Still, bricks are also subject to much more stringent manufacturing processes. That means it performs better and more consistently than ever before.

3. Provides Superior Protection

Brick is a non-combustible material, meaning it is an excellent choice for cladding and resisting/confining fires. Structures built from brick also offer dramatically more protection from wind-blown debris, and provide superior moisture control than other materials.

4. Brick Looks Better and Requires Less Maintenance

Brick is timeless. It won’t rot, dent, or need to be painted, and it cannot be torn up or eaten by termites. Brick features modular units and shapes that can fit with just about any architectural style, whether it’s colonial, Victorian, or post-modernist. It also tends to look better with age. Plus, brick absorbs noise, making it acoustically advantageous.

5. Brick is Sustainable and Energy-Efficient

Brick has exceptional “thermal mass” properties, meaning it has the ability to store heat and then slowly release. This helps brick structures stay cool during the hot summer months and warm during the winter. Brick also produces minimal waste, is incredibly recyclable, and otherwise incredibly environmentally friendly.

Masonry Repair and Restoration from Del Prete Masonry

For all of your questions regarding masonry repair and restoration, feel free to contact Del Prete Masonry. Our masonry restoration professionals have the experience and history of satisfied clients to prove that we’ll get the job done right, and cost-effectively. To get started with your masonry restoration project, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County.

Keep up with our blog for masonry related information, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+!

Fun Facts about Brick

Friday, November 4th, 2016

brick

Brick has been used for thousands of years by masonry experts.

It is one of the most eco-friendly materials available for construction. Most bricks are made from clay that has been heated to a thousand degrees centigrade. This timeless construction material remains an essential component of the masonry process. Here are a few fun and interesting facts about brick and brickwork: (more…)

Selecting the Right Type of Masonry Mortar Cement

Wednesday, September 14th, 2016

Every masonry project is going to call for a different type of mortar cement.

Every masonry project is going to call for a different type of mortar cement.

Choosing the right products is an essential part of any masonry project, and mortar cement is no exception. Mortar cement is what acts as the bonding agent for bricks and other building materials. It’s essentially what’s holding your project together, so you’ll want to choose mortar that will stand the test of time. Here are a few types of mortar cements you’ll want to consider. (more…)

Why Masons Are More Than Just Bricklayers

Wednesday, August 17th, 2016

masons

Masons can employ advanced bricklaying techniques.

Mason and bricklayer are two commonly confused titles. While these two professions do overlap in some of their duties and requirements, the hard truth is that not all bricklayers are masons. Most of it comes down to skill level. Typically, masons employ much more advanced bricklaying techniques that differentiate them from the average bricklayer. (more…)

All About Brick and Brickwork Contractors

Thursday, August 4th, 2016

brickwork

Brick is a special material. After all, it can stand up to even the fiercest huffing and puffing!

A brickwork contractor is a mason that specializes in using brick to build structures. Brickwork contractors are highly skilled trades people that can create some of the most beautiful buildings you’ll lay eyes on. Brick is a timeless material, and the quality of brickwork is reflected in historic structures that have lasted over fifteen hundred years. Whether you’re making an addition to an existing structure or building something new entirely, employing a skilled brickwork contractor is a sound investment. Here’s what you need to know about brick and how they’re used to build things. (more…)