Painting a brick wall can be a serious undertaking — be read to get your hands dirty!
Ooh, exposed brick! How lovely! But might it look even lovelier with a gleaming new coat of bright white paint? Oh, the possibilities! Ultimately, the choice is up to you whether you want to maintain the beautiful and rustic clay color or make your brick surfaces stand out from the rest with a fresh coat of paint. The best we can offer is some advice before you take on the project. (more…)
Cracked concrete? It might be time for concrete restoration.
Masonry restoration projects can require large amounts of time and energy depending on the size, scope, and, intricacy and materials involved in the undertaking. This is when concrete masonry can be highly effective as a low cost and energy-saving method to fulfill all of your restoration needs. Concrete restoration comes with a number of environmental benefits as well, which you can expect and enjoy for your next building project. (more…)
Make sure that you are cleaning your interior brickwork safely!
You may have read our blog on cleaning exterior brickwork. The methods listed there are great for cleaning walls and walkways outside, but if you’re planning on cleaning inside brickwork, you’ll need to follow a different set of instructions. DelPrete Masonry is here to help you keep all of your brickwork looking as clean and new as possible! You may have a fireplace in your home that you’re thinking of firing up to use for roasting marshmallows or making popcorn. Or perhaps you have a rustic brick wall in your kitchen that needs a good cleaning. When brickwork is in your home, it’s both important to keep it clean as well as use safe cleaning methods. Follow these methods to have pristine, safe interior brickwork! (more…)
There are a handful of tools that you’ll find in every mason’s toolkit.
You may have wondered what tools a mason needs to create a wall or a walkway. Whether you are a masonry enthusiast or just plain curious, we can share with you the tools of our trade. Read on to learn what tools a mason uses to lay level bricks, make mortar, and cut concrete.
You’ll never catch a mason without his trusty trowel. Trowels are used for applying mortar and come in two varieties: London and Philadelphia. The difference between these two types of trowels is just the subtle shape of the blade; each one is just as good as the other for handling mortar. A larger trowel will most likely be used to apply mortar to new bricks and stones. A smaller trowel is great for the delicate work of repairing old mortar joints and scraping off excess mortar. (more…)
If your brickwork looks like it needs a good cleaning, make sure that you’re using the safest and most effective cleaning methods!
Bricks can be either sealed or unsealed; of course, unsealed bricks require more maintenance to keep up their appearance. Exterior bricks especially should be cleaned regularly. With winter approaching, exterior bricks easily build up salt, dirt, and grime. Make sure that your brickwork is looking its best with our cleaning tips.
The bucket and brush method of cleaning is the most widely used and efficient means of cleaning brickwork. It does not require advanced equipment or skill, and it is easy and quick. Here are the steps required to clean your brickwork with this method:
While there are many other materials that we use at Del Prete Masonry, we’re not about to abandon concrete anytime soon. It has proven its worth many times over and we know that we can bring you a solid masonry structure with it. To find out more about your masonry options including concrete masonry, 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+.
The right kind of salt goes a long way in preserving your masonry.
Sometimes a shovel does the trick to remove snow from your steps and sidewalks without damaging your masonry. But if this winter is going to be anything like last year’s, then you will probably need to use salt. De-icing products offer welcome assistance in the task of removing thick sheets of ice from walking surfaces. But these helpful de-icing products come with a catch: if you use too much of it, you risk damaging your masonry. If you repeatedly use heavy amounts of sidewalk salt, you risk the scaling and flaking of your masonry surfaces, a process which is called “salt fretting”. Salt fretting usually occurs at the base of buildings, where the building meets the sidewalks. It causes your buildings to look old and unappealing, damaging your property value. To avoid salt fretting, make sure to follow these rules.
While there are many other materials that we use at Del Prete Masonry, we’re not about to abandon concrete anytime soon. It has proven its worth many times over and we know that we can bring you a solid masonry structure with it. To find out more about your masonry options including concrete masonry, 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+.
When you do brickwork yourself, you want to keep certain rules in mind.
While some projects will require a professional masonry service, there are other DIY brickwork projects that the average homeowner can complete.
Of course, proper preparation is most important when planning a DIY brickwork project. But, it’s also important that you have the right tips. Listed below are a few tips from Del Prete Masonry to help you get started on your DIY brickwork projects.
Before you start any projects, you want to make sure that you have all of the tools you need to complete your brickwork project efficiently. The last thing you want to do is have to run to the hardware store or order a specialty tool right when you are in the middle of your brickwork. Some of the tools you will need for your DIY project are spades and shovels, buckets, spot boards, bricklaying trowels, tape measures, bolster chisels and a soft hand brush just to name some of the most common tools for brickwork projects.
For any DIY project, especially a masonry project, you want to make sure that you and the individuals you are working with are completely safe. During some point of your brickwork, you will most likely find the need to cut some bricks to a certain size. When you do this, make sure that you and everyone working with you has his or her safety goggles on. Goggles are just like any of the tools you use, and goggles are necessary for your DIY brickwork.
Laying bricks is an art for a professional masonry service, but you can complete a basic brickwork project with a few tips. Always make sure that when you lay bricks the vertical joints are staggered. This gives the brickwork more support and strength. Also, remember that not all bricks are going to be perfectly square, so use your best judgment on whether you feel you need to cut the bricks. For any extensive projects, make sure to work with professional masonry service to make sure your project is absolutely perfect.
For any questions regarding new masonry construction, 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+.
Proper preparation is key to a successful concrete masonry demolition.
There are a few key elements to keep in mind when properly demolishing your concrete masonry.
Demolition projects should not be taken lightly. Not only do you need the proper tools to take on a concrete demolition project, but you also need to implement proper safety techniques when moving and lifting the concrete. There are a few key elements to keep in mind when properly demolishing your concrete masonry. (more…)
When you think about concrete, you usually don’t think about maintenance. Concrete is durable and long-lasting, and most people don’t think it really needs much upkeep. The fact is, properly maintained concrete lasts longer and looks better. Maintaining concrete, especially decorative concrete, can extend its life and beauty and keep it looking clean and bright, rather than faded, dirty, and stained. Why wouldn’t you want to keep your investment protected? Let’s learn how to properly maintain our decorative concrete structures!
Maintaining concrete, especially decorative concrete, can extend its life and beauty and keep it looking clean and bright, rather than faded, dirty, and stained. Why wouldn’t you want to keep your investment protected?
Concrete is pretty low-maintenance, but you should clean it at least once a year to remove dirt and grime build-up as well as rust and other types of stains. (more…)
When it comes time to clean your masonry, it’s absolutely essential that you take the time to do it right. Masonry is fairly low-maintenance, but does require regular upkeep from time to time. If you don’t understand proper cleaning techniques, you run the risk of permanently altering its appearance or damaging your structure. We’ve prepared a list of helpful hints to take note of when giving your masonry one last final cleaning before winter hits.
We’ve prepared a list of helpful hints to take note of when giving your masonry one last final cleaning before winter hits.
Before you dive into your cleaning project, you should always do a test beforehand. Try out your cleaning product beforehand – on different stains, on different brick colors, and in different places. Cleaning chemicals and stains can be very different and not one-size-fits-all. Make sure you’re testing in an inconspicuous area and give it time to dry before you make a decision. (more…)