Posts Tagged ‘ Baltimore masonry ’

Stonemasonry Signs Send Solid Signals

Monday, March 2nd, 2015

Your Baltimore business has been doing well since it started, and an important anniversary is coming up. Celebrate your business’ anniversary with a stonemasonry business sign. A stonemasonry business sign sends solid signals to your employees, customers, and competitors. A stonemasonry sign tells them you’re strong, smart, and that you’re here to stay.

Stonemasonry Signs Signal Strength

A stonemasonry sign shows your business is strong in a couple of ways. A stone sign shows your employees that you believe in their solid performance. A stone sign shows your customers and investors that you have a strong commitment to quality. And finally, it shows competitors that your company is financially secure enough to afford the expense of a stone sign. The strength your stone masonry sign projects will make your employees and customers confident, and intimidate your business competitors.

Stonemasonry Signs Signal Smarts

Stonemasonry signs signal smarts to employees, customers, business allies, and competitors alike. Your new stonemasonry sign shows your employees your business smarts, as eye catching stonemasonry signage is sure to instill confidence in your customers. Your signage shows your customers and business partners, that you know the importance of branding and making a statement. Finally it shows your competitors your smart, because they know business is an arms race, and that by getting a stonemasonry sign you’ve stepped up your game. They’ll have to get a similar sign or fall behind, and because you got it first your customers will see your competitors getting it as playing catch-up.

Stonemasonry Signs Signal Staying Power

Finally, stonemasonry signs let everyone know that you’re here, and plan to stay. Stonemasonry stands up to the worst of weather, physical wear and tear, and lasts for centuries. Though your stonemasonry sign is expensive to begin with, it will pay for itself over the years because of its lasting power. It needs very little maintenance, is easy and fast to clean, and won’t need to be replaced in your lifetime. A stonemasonry sign will let everyone know your confident of your business, and that you’re not going anywhere but up.

Stonemasonry Signs from Del Prete Masonry

Your sign is one of the first things that people see when they approach your business. Your signs tell customers what kind of business you are. If you want your customers to know that you’re a serious business, dedicated to quality, and are here to stay you need to invest in a stonemasonry sign. But don’t just go to anyone, your stonemasonry should look professional and beautiful. Let Del Prete Masonry help! Please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com to get an estimate for your new commercial stone sign. We’re located out of Phoenix, MD and 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+.

Posted in Stone Masonry

How Masonry Can Improve the Value of your Property

Monday, February 23rd, 2015

It is exciting to complete a home renovation project. When you take a look at your beautiful new kitchen complete with granite countertops and a shiny new built-in wine cooler, you think, “What’s next?” The inside transformation will most definitely increase the value of your home, but many forget to remember that the outside is what draws consumers in. Pulling up to the front of your home gives a potential buyer his or her first impression of the home. “It’s great, but…” is a common phrase when something is off in a buyer’s mind. You want top dollar for your property so making sure the outside matches the inside is crucial to increase the property value.

Generate curb appeal.

Giving your home curb appeal will escalate its property value. A manicured lawn, a custom stone sidewalk and a smoothly paved asphalt driveway are all factors that contribute to curb appeal. Repointing your chimney is also a good way to give your home the “oomph” factor it needs. If your chimney looks like it is not supposed to be attached to your house, it may be time to have it re-done.

Upscale your home with brick.

Using brick to add property value is very common and is a mason’s job. Residing your home with brick not only increases its appearance but makes it more energy efficient. Brick and stonework have become more popular among new homebuyers. The more people want houses like this, the higher the price of the home. It is a smart choice to add stonework to your front and back yards.

Create ambiance with stonework in the backyard.

Having a patio for guests and family to sit on is wonderful during the spring, summer, and fall months. It allows for more space to entertain. Friends will be impressed with a stone patio complete with an outdoor fireplace. This air of elegance increases the property value significantly. The higher the quality of materials is, the higher the price of your home will be.

Want a Reliable Maryland Masonry Contractor?

Call Delprete Masonry. As Maryland’s foremost experts on masonry repair, construction, and demolition, our skilled teams have what it takes to provide you with the very best in masonry contracting. At Del Prete Masonry, we’ve got the answers you’re looking for.

To find out more about your masonry repair options, 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+.

Posted in Brick

Building Better with Brick

Monday, February 2nd, 2015

Spring is coming, your tax returns are around the corner, and you’re planning a new home improvement project. Del Prete Masonry is here to help, and to lead off we’ll explain why brick is the best material for your new home improvement project.

Strong and Safe

Fired brick, or ceramic brick, has been in use for thousands of years as a strong, long lasting material, durable to the elements. The component elements of brick can be altered to change its attributes, for example, brick can be made lighter, or stronger depending on the mixture. The raw materials and temperature that bricks are fired at can also be used to change the temperature of the bricks. Brick does not warp, rot, or erode as other construction materials might. It is also fireproof, and brick masonry has been shown to reduce the chances of a home being destroyed by a fire.

Low Maintenance and Energy Efficient

Brick is requires little maintenance, and has a high thermal mass, both aspects which make it an energy efficient building material.

Brick masonry construction does not need to be repainted, sanded, or refinished, like painted wood or plaster, and it does not fade and need to be replaced like vinyl siding does. All the maintenance brick needs is an occasional cleaning. This saves you time, energy, and money.

Brick’s thermal mass also makes it energy efficient. The thermal mass of a material measures how a material absorbs and releases heat. Another way to put it would be as a measurement of the thermal “inertia” of a material. Materials like iron are good thermal conductors and have a low thermal mass, it absorbs and releases heat quickly. Brick acts as a material with a high thermal mass, and has a high thermal inertia. Brick keeps the house cool during the day, slowly absorbing and storing heat from the surrounding air and sun. When night comes time and the outside temperature starts to cool, the brick releases the heat it has absorbed into the home, and then starts the process all over again with dawn. Materials with a high thermal mass, like brick, are best in temperate climates like where we are.

Aesthetically Flexible

As a design material, fired brick is one of the most flexible materials around. Brick come in many colors, from whites and yellows, to the more common pinks, reds, and browns. Brick may even be purple or black. Bricks can be made to all be the same color, or you can alternate colors, and construction patterns to make designs in whatever you’re constructing. It can be used in classical as well as contemporary design. And brick can be used well with other materials as a complementary or contrasting feature.

Want your next Home Improvement project done with Brick?

Call Del Prete Masonry. As Maryland’s foremost experts on masonry repair, construction, and demolition, our skilled teams have what it takes to provide you with the very best in masonry contracting. At Del Prete Masonry, we’ve got the answers you’re looking for.

Posted in Blog, Brick, Brick

The History of Brick

Friday, January 16th, 2015

At Del Prete Masonry, we’re proud to continue the historic tradition of masonry, a craft that extends thousands of years into our past, with a history as storied and fascinating as the chronicle of any nation. Today, we’re looking backwards into the history behind one of the most crucial and powerful items of our trade: the humble brick.

The Middle East

As far as historians can tell, the earliest discovered bricks date as far back as 7500 BC. These early bricks were dried, which means that they were made out of clay-laden dirt and mud, then dried under sunlight until they were hearty enough to be used in construction. The oldest known bricks hail from a part of the planet that is now Syria. Other discoveries, which date as far back as 7000 BC, include bricks from the ancient city of Jericho and the Egyptian fortress of Buhen which ran along the west bank of the Nile River.

China

As early as 2000 BC, bricks were certainly being used in Chinese architecture. Scientists and scholars have even established that the Chinese were already mass-producing bricks roughly 300 years ago during the Western Zhou dynasty. In 1368 AD, under the Ming Dynasty, bricks were already being fired in kilns. To make these bricks clay and water were mixed together, then trampled over by oxen who beat it into a paste. The paste was then lain in wood frames and smoothed with a wiry bow. The bricks were then stamped with the brickmaster’s insignia and loaded into a wood-fueled kiln and removed while the kiln was still burning.

Europe

The Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations also used fired bricks. The Romans designed and perfected the use of mobile, cart-bound kilns and constructed massive brick buildings and structures all over their empire bearing the seal of the Roman legion. The middle ages saw brickmaking finally make its way to northern Europe and was popular in places without native rocks suitable for construction. Some of these buildings still stand today in Denmark, Germany, Russia, and Poland. This kind of brickmaking and architecture would eventually transform into the style that became popularized during the Italian Renaissance.

At Del Prete, We Know Where We’re Coming From

We recognize the importance of history and our professionals know everything about brick masonry, from practical skills to historical facts. For other questions regarding brick masonry, feel free to contact Delprete Mansonry. Our brick masonry 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 brick masonry 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+.

Posted in Blog, Brick, Brick

Signs You Have a Bad Masonry Foundation

Friday, January 9th, 2015

Foundation

Your home’s masonry foundation is incredibly important to its long-term survival. Without a solid foundation, you’re home or business will swiftly crumble and sink into the ground. That’s why it’s important to be on the lookout against foundation damage. Foundation damage is typically caused by moisture and will manifest in a number of ways. Del Prete Masonry is here to help with some of the most common signs of a bad foundation.

Crooked Windows and Doors

Door and window installers do their utmost to put in their wares so that they’re completely level. If they start to move out of alignment, it’s most likely because your masonry foundation has started to move. If your doors and windows become very difficult to open and close, or even show signs of damaged glass, it’s highly likely that the foundation in that region of the house has started to go bad.

Cracked Walls and Sloped Floors

If the level of your home’s floor starts to change, it’s almost certain that the foundation beneath it has started to settle, however this can be difficult to notice, especially with carpet. If your floors are uncarpeted, try dropping a marble and seeing if it rolls in an area you thought was flat. A sinking masonry foundation may prompt the developing of cracks in your drywall, particularly drywall near windows and doors. Be sure to look out for ejected drywall screws/ nails and baseboard gapping.

External Cracks/ Wall Bulges

While minute cracks are not unusual in masonry foundations, walls, and footers, be on the lookout for large, patterned cracks that seem to keep growing. If you see clearly rectangular patterns of cracks in your foundation masonry, or you notice unusual bulges in the foundation walls, the ground beneath it could be shifting. It’s also worth paying attention to your masonry chimney, if you spot cracks or damage on it, the frame of your house could be unstable.

Misc. Signs

Oftentimes, a masonry foundation will be set on top of posts and beams, if an inspector finds that these are leaning, the house has probably changed its position. If you spot water underneath your house or find that the ground seems wet on one face of it but dry on another, you could have drainage problems that need fixing. Taking care of these issues can nip masonry foundation damage in the bud.

Need To Repair Your Masonry Foundation?

Call Delprete Masonry. As Maryland’s foremost experts on masonry repair, construction, and demolition, our skilled teams have what it takes to quickly and accurately assess your masonry foundation for any problems or structural weaknesses and can offer fast and affordable repairs. Your house is your most prized possession and a masonry foundation is one it’s most important systems, so why not take good care of it?

Posted in Blog, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

How to Hire a Masonry Contractor in Maryland

Monday, December 22nd, 2014

Whether you’re looking to have a masonry structure retouched, repaired, demolished, or constructed from scratch, deciding on the masonry contractor that’s best for the job can be a difficult choice to make. Del Prete Masonry is here with a few tips for finding a masonry contractor that will do the job right the first time.

Know exactly what you want done and communicate it clearly. Masonry contractors employ specific specialists for certain kinds of work. Let them know exactly what you’re looking for so they can determine if they have the appropriate staff available for your project.
Be patient and search thoroughly. Ask your friends and family for advice or endorsements on masonry contractors they’ve hired. While word of mouth is a fine way to discover a few available contractors, it’s also well worth examining consumer review websites and the like to get a sense of a company’s overall quality.
Don’t accept the first bid you get, or the lowest one. Make arrangements to meet with at least three masonry contractors and be sure to get an itemized quote that breaks down the price of each element of your project. Absurdly low bids may lead to hidden costs popping up later or shoddy materials being used in the construction.
Find references. Make sure previous customers of a potential Maryland masonry contractor are generally satisfied with the work they had done, and do the necessary digging to locate any unsatisfied customers wo may have legitimate complaints.
Ask for proof of insurance and licensing. A masonry contractor must be licensed to perform work in Maryland. A license is the most basic guarantee any contractor can provide towards their professional knowledge and level of skill. It is illegal for any masonry contractor to work in Maryland without a license. Similarly it’s important to know that your Masonry contractor is properly insured. They’ll need to have both general liability and workers’ insurance to cover employees if they are injured.

Want a Reliable Maryland Masonry Contractor?

Posted in Blog, Brick, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

Masonry Repair: Protecting Your Masonry Chimney

Thursday, December 4th, 2014

We often take our chimneys for granted. After all, there’s usually little reason to give them special attention. They do their job and we let them do it. However a masonry chimney is far from the passive, easily ignorable household system that we might treat it as. Over time and after routine exposure to moisture and the elements, chimneys can degrade and potentially become safety hazards. Delprete Masonry, your Maryland masonry repair expert, is here with some of the ways you can protect your masonry chimney, and what you can do to prevent them.

Install a Chimney Cap

One of the most effective methods for preventing water damage to your masonry chimney is using a chimney cap (also called a rain cover). Any roofing or masonry professional will tell you that chimney caps are a vital part of any chimney lining system. Chimney caps provide other benefits as well. They can prevent sparks from escaping, and help stop birds and other wildlife from nesting in the chimney. Chimney caps are constructed from corrosion resistant material and will protect your masonry chimney for years to come. Consult a masonry repair expert in Maryland about installing a new chimney cap.

Replace Your Chimney Crown

A chimney crown is the uppermost portion of a masonry chimney which seals the top of the chimney, directing water away from the flue, preventing erosion of the chimney’s brick and mortar. Many masonry chimneys are constructed with flawed crowns built from non-weather resistant mortar mix. An excellent chimney crown should be built from weather-resistant mortar mix and should project over all sides of your masonry chimney by at least two inches. A damaged masonry chimney crown should be replaced by a trustworthy team of Maryland masonry repair experts.

Repair Weakened Mortar Joints

Deteriorated mortar joints on your masonry chimney can become prime locations for moisture entry. Correctly made mortar joints, ones without gaps or missing mortar, are constructed specifically to repel water away from the joint. Damaged mortar can start to absorb water and crack, threatening your chimney’s structural integrity. If you notice that your mortar joints are starting to crack you should hire a Maryland masonry repair company to have them repointed.

Need To Repair Your Masonry Chimney?

Call Delprete Masonry. As Maryland’s foremost experts on masonry repair, construction, and demolition, our skilled teams have what it takes to quickly and accurately assess your masonry chimney for any problems or structural weaknesses and can offer fast and affordable repairs. Your house is your most prized possession and a masonry chimney is one it’s most important systems, so why not take good care of it?

Posted in Blog, Brick, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

Methods of Masonry Demolition in Maryland: Demolition by Ball

Monday, November 10th, 2014

If you have a structurally unsound or physically unappealing masonry structure, or have purchased land with a building that doesn’t meet your needs, chances are that you need masonry demolition. Continuing our series on the various types of masonry demolition, Del Prete Masonry, your Maryland masonry company, is here with a behind-the-scenes look at how demolition via wrecking ball works.

While most building can be taken down with a wrecking ball, it’s a highly delicate process that requires years of training and experience to execute safely. Below are some general precautions that masonry demolitions experts must observe when demolishing a building via wrecking ball.

Machine Safety

Most wrecking balls are not attached to dedicated wrecking machines; rather they are affixed to converted cranes. Demolishing masonry via wrecking ball is a taxing task and it’s important to make sure the crane is properly equipped to deal with the added strain. Cranes using a converted drag line are considered the best for demolition via wrecking ball while hydraulic ram cranes should never be used for this purpose. Cranes must be outfitted with a Falling Object Protective Structure and the Safe Working Limit (The maximum weight which the crane arm can safely carry) must be at least 3 times the weight of the wrecking ball.

General Safety

The wrecking ball must be fixed to prevent it from disconnecting with the line and this connection should be safety checked every hour. All unnecessary personnel and the general public should be kept well away from any masonry demolition, particularly when using a wrecking ball. Also, any building that are attached to the masonry that will be demolished must first be detached by hand, otherwise serious structural damage could occur.

Need Masonry Demolition in Maryland?

Call Del Prete Masonry. At Del Prete Masonry, we’ve got the expertise to perform masonry demolition by wrecking ball, and a wide variety of other methods to ensure your unwanted structure is safely, and quickly, taken apart. We’re also one of Maryland’s most respected masonry construction groups, so we can replace any demolished structure with a pristine, and affordable, one in no time.

To find out more about your masonry demolition options, 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+.

Posted in Blog, Demolition

Caring for your Brick Masonry Structure

Monday, September 22nd, 2014

One of the most popular building materials for centuries, brick masonry is used from everything from stately colonial mansions or small country cottages, to dignified commercial structures. Its versatility, efficiency, and appearance all contribute to raising the property and aesthetic value of your home. While generally maintenance free, it’s still important to take care of your brick structures to assure that your commercial masonry investment is protected and their longevity is being leveraged to its maximum potential.

Cleaning

Once a year, be sure to go over your brick masonry with a hose, equipped with a spray nozzle, to remove any loose dirt. Also if any side of your brick masonry structure or house gets very little sunlight you should be on the lookout for moss, mold, or mildew growth. Scrubbing any affected areas with a solution of 1cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water will clean most of this up. Avoid using wire brushes that can scratch or damage brick and be sure to rinse these areas with water BEFORE applying the bleach solution.

Check for Water Damage

Water damage to brick masonry has two potential causes: Splash back and rising damp. Splash back is the process by which rain, over a long period of time, is slowly absorbed into brick causing the mortar or brick itself to crack. Rising damp occurs when ground water seeps upwards, leaving behind what is known as a “tide line”. This line will disappear but will cause a buildup of salt crystals that will ultimately break down brick and mortar. Check for water damage routinely and allocate funds for repointing every 5-10 years.

Repointing

Repointing is the process of renewing the external parts of mortar joints, which hold brick masonry structures together. If you find signs of damaged mortar, consider having it repointed. This involves careful removal of the existing mortar, and a fresh application of a new batch. When repointing, the depth of the new mortar should be approximately twice the width of the existing mortar joints.

If you own an older house and want to preserve visual integrity, make sure that your fresh mortar matches the original. A contractor can take a sample of existing mortar and dissolve it in acid, exposing the base sand aggregate used to manufacture it, so that it can be replicated.

Get Help from Del Prete Masonry

Brick is a great foundation for any building, and as commercial masons, we can fully appreciate the benefits of brick. If you need your commercial masonry repaired, 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+.

Source: bobvilia.com

Posted in Blog, Brick, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

Why Should I Consider a Baltimore Stone Monument?

Thursday, September 11th, 2014

Stone is made to last. People have been building monuments, buildings, and roads out of stone since the very dawn of civilization. Why? Because it’s naturally occurring and can stand up to nearly anything you throw at it. Take Stonehenge for example. Built nearly 5,000 years ago, Stonehenge in England is still standing today. While we’re not entirely sure what Stonehenge was used for, it still stands as a monument to the hard work and culture of our fellow man many millennia before the modern era. Setting something in stone means that you’re commemorating it for years to come. So, other than extreme resilience, what are the other benefits of building a stone monument?

Benefits of Stone for a Monument

Save your money – The upfront cost of stone might seem a little daunting, but it’s important to remember how long stone will last. If monuments have lasted for 5 millennia, you can bet that the price will even itself out before long (and way before 5,000 years, we promise). A stone monument won’t require a lot of maintenance or time, but it will commemorate whatever you find important for years to come.

Make it beautiful – If you’re creating a monument, there’s clearly a reason for it. The person, group, or cause that you’re making the monument for is likely special to your or your company. Opting for a stone monument means that you can design it in just about any way you want. You can go as small as you want or as big as you want with your monument. You’ll also be able to choose the type of stone you want and discuss all of the design details with your Baltimore mason.

Stand out – You want your monument to be seen and widely recognized. A stone monument can do that. Look at the Washington Monument, which can be seen for miles around. Though your monument may not be quite that ostentatious, you’ll still have a structure that will be easily seen and recognized!

Monument Masonry

Delprete Masonry is a commercial masonry construction and restoration company that services Baltimore and the surrounding area. For more than 25 years, we’ve been performing quality masonry work for a wide variety of clients with different masonry needs. We’ve built a solid reputation for ourselves in the Baltimore area as a leading commercial masonry service. For more information, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us atmike@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+.

Posted in Blog, Commercial Masonry Baltimore