Masonry structures are durable and meant to last for years, but that doesn’t mean that you might not run into the occasional weak spot in the mortar. Not to worry, it is very common to repair masonry structures by repointing these weak spots in the brick joints. If you have been wondering about what happens in this process, here is a brief overview of what it takes to repair brick joints.
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Leaving excess water can lead to a number of problems.
Although masonry structures can hold up against natural weathering for years, even the most durable structures are not immune to water damage. Moisture accumulation is an issue that is as easily overlooked as it can be fixed. But leaving excess water, whether from heavy rains or leaky pipes, can lead to a number of problems.
Concrete can be notorious for picking up unsightly stains from oil drippings from cars.
Concrete is a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, and durable material and a good choice for indoor and outdoor projects. But in places like driveways, concrete can be notorious for picking up unsightly stains from oil drippings from cars. Here are some tips that will help to take the frustration out of cleaning.
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.
You may not spend a lot of time thinking about your chimney.
You may not spend a lot of time thinking about your chimney. Even if you do, the average homeowner doesn’t know a lot about chimneys, how they’re built, or when they fail. But if a chimney does fail or deteriorate, it can be a huge safety issue. A failing chimney is a fire risk. So how can you know if it is time to get your chimney repaired, or even replaced if it is needed? Here are some signs that you can be on the lookout for so you know when to call in the professionals. (more…)
Read on to learn more about some common types of masonry repair.
Although masonry is known for its strength, longevity, and structural integrity it does require professional maintenance and inspection. Masonry structures are known for their stately beauty and require regular maintenance and repair. Read on to learn more about some common types of masonry repair. (more…)
You can choose either masonry repairs or masonry restoration to fix your damaged masonry.
If you are noticing that your masonry is starting to look damaged and worn down, it may be time to invest some money into fixing it. Masonry repairs and masonry restoration are actually two different things. Your contractor will either do one or the other to renew your masonry, depending on your needs. Here is the difference between masonry repairs and masonry restoration.
Repair: When a contractor repairs masonry, they replace the areas that are damaged with new brick or stone. They will often use caulking to repair any small masonry cracks and use concrete to fill larger cracks.
Restoration: With masonry restoration, all of the old masonry is removed and new mortar is put down (a process called repointing). After the new mortar is applied, the masonry is applied again. They will clean the mortar and seal the surface so that the original look of it is preserved, but it will look as if it was freshly built all over again.
Repair: The time that it takes for masonry repairs varies depending on how bad the damage is and how detailed the masonry is. However, repairs are typically done in a shorter period of time than restoration.
Restoration: Masonry restoration requires a lot more attention to detail than repairs. This is because the new elements must match the surrounding older materials to make it look as good as new. You want to plan for a longer process when choosing restoration.
Repair: Because masonry repairs are generally less extensive than masonry restoration, repairs are typically the cheaper option. This is good for those who have a smaller budget, but still want to improve the look of their masonry.
Restoration: Masonry restoration requires a larger budget than repairs do. However, the final result is worth the money invested into it. Masonry restoration gives your building a fresh look and may be worth expanding your budget for.
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.
It’s good to know what caused your masonry cracks so that you know the best way to repair them.
Masonry materials are pretty durable, but they are constantly enduring the various elements of nature. Over time, the masonry can begin to wear down and even crack. There are several different causes of masonry cracks, so here are a few to help you narrow down the cause of yours.
These masonry cracks usually appear within the first year of construction. This is because masonry expands and contracts during the curing process. With concrete block, water evaporates as the block cures, causing it to shrink. With brick masonry, the moisture is absorbed while it’s curing, causing expansion. Joints are typically built in walls to accommodate this shrinkage or expansion, but improper joints can lead to cracking. Shrinkage/expansion cracks typically aren’t serious and widen as they move upward.
Settlement occurs early after a building’s construction and typically is caused from an improper foundation. This typically occurs in the early years of a building’s construction or if there’s a change in underground conditions. Cracks from uneven settlement typically appear at corners and openings and follow a diagonal line. Bigger cracks can be a problem, but small cracks are only a real issue if moisture can get through them.
Masonry piers sometimes rotate or settle differently than when they started. In addition, cold weather can cause them to frost or be damaged by the freeze/thaw cycle. This could lead to the piers themselves cracking. The cracks typically aren’t serious but a shift in masonry piers can cause the wood components of masonry to lose their bearings.
If you notice these types of cracks, you probably want to get it fixed as soon as possible. Causes of sweeping cracks include things like vibrations from machinery or vehicles that are close by, improper backfilling, or freezing of the soil next to the wall. These cracks are a sign that the foundation wall itself is breaking, so masonry repairs or restoration may be necessary.
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
Though often used interchangeably, tuck-pointing and repointing are two different methods of brick masonry restoration!
Brick is a very durable masonry material and can last for years with little maintenance. However, just like anything else, it can start to wear down over time. After a while, you will be in need of masonry restoration. Often times, people interchange tuckpointing and repointing, two common types of brick masonry restoration, but they are actually different from one another.
This method of brick masonry restoration uses two different colors of mortar to refill damaged mortar joints or just to give your existing brick masonry a nicer look. The first color is made to blend in with the bricks so that you can’t really see it much at all. The second color is for the mortar joint themselves, so is more of a white color. This method makes the mortar joints appear to be thin because you can’t see the brick colored mortar. People tend to choose this method of masonry restoration when they are trying to mimic the look of high-end rubbed bricks for less money.
The main difference between tuckpointing and repointing is that repointing is specifically for damaged bricks. The process of repointing fills in or replaces mortar joints that have been damaged, crumbled, or cracked. Repointing does not give the brick masonry a different look or make the joints appear to be any thinner. The sole purpose of this masonry restoration method is to fix what has been broken.
The mortar joints in brick masonry can start to show damage within 20 to 30 years of being constructed. Here are some signs that your brick masonry may need repairs:
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
You want to repair any damage to your brick masonry as soon as you come across it.
Over time, even the best brickwork needs repairs due to a variety of reasons including weather and the nature of the ground beneath your masonry. The dirt underneath your masonry will naturally move due to erosion and the weight of the materials on top. As this happens the masonry of your brickwork may crack. While this is common, it still needs to be dealt with quickly so that larger problems don’t occur. If you’re concerned that your brick masonry needs work, we’ve compiled a list of signs to look for.
If you live in an area that experiences frequent freezing, you may notice the signs of bulging bricks, or what’s known as frost boil. This occurs when moisture seeps behind your brick masonry and softens the backing causing the bricks to either be pushed out or pulled in. To fix this, a mason will need to remove the affected bricks and treat the underlying cause before laying new bricks.
When it comes to cracks, some happen naturally. If they occur at a vertical or less than 30º angle, there is no threat of collapse. However, these cracks can still affect your brick masonry and need to be filled with an epoxy or urethane to prevent water from seeping in during heavy rainfall or from moisture freezing within over the winter.
A compacted brick is easy to spot because it will no longer be in its original shape. It may appear severely cracked or bowed and can allow water to breach the wall and cause significant damage. Often, if there is one compacted brick there will be others because the pressure that results from a compacted brick can affect those around it. If this happens you will need to replace the affected areas and potentially add spikes called push piers to your foundation for extra support.
If the mortar between the bricks begins to dissolve or buckle, it can cause dangerous side effects. When mortar wears away bricks begin to rub against each other causing damage and warping. It also puts you at risk of having the foundations become dangerous. If this happens you will need a mason to remove as much of the old mortar as possible before adding new mortar.
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.