Posts Tagged ‘ Maryland ’

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?

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 Blog, Brick, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

Methods of Masonry Demolition in Maryland: Demolition by Hand

Friday, October 31st, 2014

At Del Prete Masonry, there’s nothing we appreciate more than a fine stone structure, but sometimes for the new to be built, the old must come down. When it comes to masonry demolition there’s more than one way to get the job done. While masonry demolition should never be attempted as a DIY project, having a better understanding of how it works can help you know when it’s time to call in a professional masonry demolition . Today we’ll be looking at masonry demolition by hand.

Conducting masonry demolition by hand is a time consuming and difficult process. Demolishing masonry by hand requires ample scaffolding, structural reinforcement, protective gear, and a wide variety of sturdy demolition tools to be done safely.

Process

When performing Maryland masonry demolition by hand only one story of a structure can be demolished at a time. It’s typically safest to start with the highest level, the roof, and to work your way down from that point. A portion of every floor should be taken out so that debris can fall through to ground level.

It’s important not to let destroyed masonry pile up though. An overloaded floor could collapse, starting a chain reaction of collapsing floors and taking down the entire structure with tools, and more importantly people, inside. At the conclusion of every work day guying and propping must be done to ensure that the remaining portion of the structure can safely stand on its own overnight.

Personnel Safety

When conducting masonry demolition by hand in Maryland, law requires that guardrails and barriers must be erected in any place that poses a potential hazard to workers or the public. If there are areas in the demolition site where this is impossible, workers must be outfitted with anchored safety harnesses, and must be adequately trained in their use.

Before conducting any kind of masonry demolition by hand, Maryland requires employers to conduct hazard assessment to determine what specific safety precautions are necessary.

Need Masonry Demolition in Maryland?

Call Del Prete Masonry. At Del Prete Masonry we’ve got the expertise to perform masonry demolition by hand, 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

Benefits of Using Insulated Concrete Masonry Units in Maryland

Friday, October 24th, 2014

If you’re a Maryland business owner considering having masonry construction or replacement done, and are concerned about keeping energy bills low, you may want to investigate the option of using insulated concrete masonry units in your construction. Del Prete Masonry is here with some of the many benefits that insulated concrete can provide a commercial Maryland business.

What is Insulated Concrete?

Insulated concrete units are made with no connections or webbing between the masonry faces, filled with insulation, and are finished on the interior and exterior resulting in a masonry unit that provides a high quality thermal barrier. Benefits of using insulated concrete masonry units include:

Energy Savings

Insulated concrete can provide energy savings of up to a whopping sixty percent! By protecting your Maryland commercial structure with insulated concrete, you create an effective energy barrier between the interior and exterior of your building. Insulated concrete is also easy to install and can save you money on labor costs.

Environmentally Friendly

In addition to saving you money on HVAC costs, insulated concrete also saves the resources that would have been used to heat or cool your Maryland building. Because insulated concrete is finished on the interior and exterior, the need for painting or drywall is also reduced, making this one of the most environmentally friendly masonry materials available. Insulated concrete is also entirely nontoxic and contains no CFCs.

Incredibly Customizable

Insulated concrete is not only dual-finished, but is available in a wide variety of colors, ensuring you can customize the look of your Maryland commercial masonry structure to fit your business’ needs perfectly. Insulated concrete masonry units can also be reinforced both horizontally and vertically without needing to make any extra modifications, making reinforcement a breeze.

Interested in Saving Money and The Planet with Insulated Concrete?

Call Del Prete Masonry. At Del Prete Masonry we’ve got the expertise to install insulated concrete and a wide variety of other masonry quickly, affordably, and with superior quality. To find out more about your masonry options including insulated 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+.

Posted in Blog, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

What is Tuckpointing and How do I do it?

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

Also commonly referred to as repointing or pointing, tuckpointing is the process of removing and replacing deteriorated mortar joints. It’s an important process that every owner of a masonry structure should be aware of, as it’s routinely used to reinforce and repair Maryland masonry to ensure that it stays looking good, and more importantly, safe.

Preparing to Tuckpoint

Tuckpointing is a labor intensive process and should only be attempted by an experienced Maryland masonry professional, or someone with substantial masonry experience. Before beginning to tuckpoint it’s vital to conduct a thorough analysis of your masonry to determine exactly where the problem areas are, and what mortar joints need replacing. You’ll also have to determine if the joints need cleaning, and the age of the masonry you’re working with.

Creating Tuckpointing Mixture

Decide whether or not you need power tools. Saws and grinders are normally used to remove mortar.
If you’re using mechanical tools you’ll need to set up extra proctection to avoid damaging the masonry.
Don proper protective gear,
Remove the old mortar up to a depth of 3/8 inches to ½ inch, or until you strike firm mortar. Warning: Do not remove more than one third of the depth of the masonry unit, this is very unsafe.
Remove dust and debris by brushing, rinsing with water or blowing the mortar joint with air.
Select the type of mortar that is going to be used.
Mix the additives to match existing mortar colors.
Place all ingredients in a mixing box.
Thoroughly mix all ingredients.
Add half the water needed for the mix.
Mix until the mortar forms a thick paste, thick enough so a ball can be formed, without having mortar flow.
Let the mix set and hydrate for about two hours.
Add water to increase workability. Warning: Adding too much water, will make the solution too runny, and thus unfit for use.

Applying the Mixture

Using the tip of a trowel, pack the mortar into the joint until it is full.
Scrape away excess mortar until the joint is flush with the masonry surface.
After the mortar has hardened a bit, strike the joints with a joint strike tool, first vertically, then horizontally.
Make sure to keep the mortar damp and covered with a sheet of plastic for 3 days after the procedure.

Need Tuckpointing or Other Masonry Repair in Maryland?

If you’re looking for a reliable Maryland masonry company that can take care of this laborious and technical process for you, 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 tuckpointing or other masonry repair 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

Accident Highlights the Importance of Masonry Repair in Maryland

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

On October 6^th at 1:00pm in a town situated in East Yorkshire, England a 61 year old man was unfortunately crushed to death when winds from a passing storm blew masonry off an amusement arcade which then fell upon him. Neil Dean, a taxi driver whose vehicle was also crushed by the falling debris, described the incident saying that

“[The Masonry] came down on the top of the car as [the old man] was walking towards the amusement arcade. He was straight outside my car and I watched him go down. I feel so, so sorry for his family.”

“He was minding his own business and just walking towards Pleasureland Amusements. The falling masonry came from the pointing on the top of the building. That’s where it all came from.

“It quite a new building and it’s been there for under ten years. Apparently somebody saw it wobble a few weeks ago. It’s not an old building.”

The local fire department is currently investigating to see if any of the construction was at fault. The hearts at Del Prete Masonry go out to the victims of this unfortunate accident. We would like to take the time to underscore the importance of proper masonry repair and maintenance in preventing these kinds of tragedies in the future. As this incident illustrates, masonry repair is important even for newly constructed buildings and while the winds in Maryland rarely equal the torrential weather of England, we see our fair share of storms and dangerous weather.

Conducting routine masonry repairs and restoration is vital to the safety of everyone who works in your structure and the general public. As a Maryland property owner it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure the safety of your building by seeing that masonry repairs are performed routinely or by hiring a reputable and reliable masonry company for the initial construction.

Del Prete Masonry

If you’re looking for a reliable Maryland masonry company that can virtually eliminate the odds of these kinds of accidents, 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 commercial masonry repair 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+.

Source: The Yorkshire Post

Posted in Blog, Brick, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

Benefits of Building with Marble in Maryland

Friday, October 3rd, 2014

A metamorphic rock that varies widely in density, patterning, and color, “marble” is derived from the Greek word marmaros, which means “shining stone.” Though typically thought of as a material for countertops and sculpture, marble has many practical applications in commercial masonry as well. Some of the stone’s uniquely beneficial properties are:

Permanence

The chief advantage of marble construction is in the material’s durability and strength. Constructing any structure, monument, or building with marble assures that it will last a long time and maintain its beautiful appearance. When building with marble you can be sure that you are not just building a permanent fixture for your business, but also for many businesses and people who will use it after your lifetime, making marble a wise choice for the environmentally conscious.

Versatility

Marble has a wide variety of applications within commercial masonry and can be used to build countertops, flooring, bars, tables, steps, monuments, and even entire buildings. Building with marble assures that whatever you choose to construct, your masonry will have a permanent and unique beauty, unrivaled by almost any other construction material.

Fire Resistance

While building with marble may prove more expensive initially than other materials, marble’s extreme heat and fire resistance ensures that, in the unfortunate event of a fire or other heat related disaster, your structure will remain standing strong. Many Maryland insurance companies will offer lower premiums, especially on fire insurance, to commercial masonry that utilizes marble construction.

Low Maintenance

Using Marble construction in commercial masonry also guarantees easy maintenance. Marble is very easy to clean, often just requiring a quick rinse and wipe to eliminate most stains or clinging debris. Additionally, and unlike many other construction materials, marble will never require painting and re-painting, saving time and expense over its very long lifecycle.

Do You Need Marble Construction/ Restoration?

At Del Prete Masonry we have the expertise to build, restore, and care for all types of residential and commercial masonry, especially those utilizing marble construction. We’re to here to help you plan and build the marble (or any other kind of stone) structure that fits your needs, with quality materials and service.

To find out more about your masonry options and building with marble, 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+.

Sources: ezinearticles.com, ElegantNatural-Hubpages

Posted in Blog, Marble