Posts Tagged ‘ masonry materials ’

Signs That Your Chimney May Need Repairs

Friday, May 18th, 2018

If your chimney is damaged, it could lead to water damage and even cause a fire hazard.

You may not check your chimney often, but it is a good idea to do so every now again to make sure it is still in good shape. With varying weather conditions, you never know when damage could have been done. A damaged chimney can be dangerous and lead to fire hazards, so you don’t want to ignore it. Here are some signs that your chimney may need repairs.

Damaged Mortar Joints

Mortar is what holds bricks together. If the mortar joints are damaged, that could mean the chimney is severely damaged because it exposes the bricks to more moisture. If water gets into the small cracks in masonry, they can become larger. If you don’t address this problem, your chimney could eventually collapse.

Rusted Firebox

If you see rust on the firebox or damper, that is a sign that moisture is getting to the chimney. If the damper becomes harder to operate, that could be a sign that it is rusting so you want to take a closer look if this occurs. Rusting can lead to the flue tiles cracking, which is very dangerous because it allows more heat to come in, which could cause a fire.

Spalling Bricks

Spalling is when water gets into the brick (or any masonry material) and causes the surface of the masonry to peel off. This is easier to spot than the other signs because pieces of masonry will begin to fall off. You want to address this as soon as you notice it because the chimney will eventually crumble completely.

Cracked Crown

The top of the chimney is one of the most important parts because it is the first layer of protection against the elements. Cracks in the crown allows water to get in and will eventually make the cracks larger, leading to spalling. You can prevent this altogether by waterproofing the chimney crown or the entire chimney.

Contact Del Prete Masonry Today For Your Masonry Needs

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.

Posted in Masonry Restoration

The Benefits Of Using Masonry Materials For Your Next Construction Project

Friday, April 27th, 2018

If you want your building to be low-maintenance, protected from rotting, and sound proof, you should use masonry materials!

One of the most important parts of putting together any building or structure is the materials you are going to use to do so. You want your building or structure to be built nicely and last a long time, which is why you should choose masonry materials to do so. There are so many benefits to using masonry materials and while we wish we could tell you all of them, here are a few.

Sound Proof

Masonry materials block out noise way better than traditional construction materials. This means that when you are inside of a building that was made with masonry materials, you don’t have to worry about being disrupted by outside noises.

Protection From Rotting

Since there is no wood used in masonry, there is nothing that can rot over time. In addition to this, masonry materials can reduce and even eliminate the amount of fungus or mildew that builds up over time between the walls. These build-ups can lead to foundation problems as well as health problems to people who are regularly inside the building.

Low-Maintenance

When you use masonry materials in their natural form, they generally don’t require much maintenance at all. Aside from cleaning every now and again or replacing the mortar if need be, you don’t have to worry about your masonry for years to come. The natural look of masonry materials also provides a beautiful, elegant look.

Lower Utility Bills

If you choose to use concrete block as your preferred masonry material, you are helping to save money on those costly utility bills. This is because concrete block is very well insulated so it stores more energy. It keeps the heat in during the winter and the cool air in during the summer, which means you can turn your air conditioning and heat down some. Masonry materials are natural, so they are also eco-friendly.

Contact Del Prete Masonry For Your Next Masonry Project

Posted in Masonry Construction