What are some advantages of decorative concrete?
When it comes to driving up business, drawing the customer’s eye is key. In this blog we’ll talk about the advantages of decorative concrete. Concrete, although solid, rugged, and dependable, is not always the most attractive. So how can you wow your customers? Think about using decorative concrete to help spice up your interiors and exteriors. (more…)
Keeping brick masonry walls in good shape is critical.
Whether you have a beautiful brick home or a historic building with original masonry, keeping your brick masonry walls in good shape is critical. What does inspection and maintenance for brick masonry walls involve and why is it so important? (more…)
Kaboom! 5 things You Should Know About Demolition
Demolition is the fastest and most exciting construction phase, but there’s a lot more that goes into it than what many people might think. While some assume that demolition just means ‘smashing stuff’ there’s a lot to know about carrying out successful demolition that doesn’t do more harm than good. Read on to learn important some more important facts.
Ignore the DIY craze and get an experienced crew in to plan and execute any demolition. Otherwise you may find yourself in way over your head with a botched job and expensive repair bills on the horizon. Performing a successful demolition is a lot like surgery, and requires an experienced crew.
Demolition is often loud and invasive. If you have any nearby neighbors, they will definitely be affected by it. Be courteous and let them know what’s going on ahead of time so they are not unpleasantly surprised.
Unless you live in a cabin in the middle of the woods and your nearest neighbor is miles away, there is no subtle way to sneak in a proper demolition. Make sure you are doing it legally, because if you are not there is a high likelihood you will be found out and get into trouble.
Even if it’s just a small part, demolition is loud, dirty, and gets dust on everything. It will be almost impossible to enjoy your home under these conditions, and it may not even be safe. If you are undergoing massive demolition, don’t expect to stick around through it.
From unforeseen problems with a house, to strange things in the walls, to nonsensical and low quality arrangements of foundational parts, it is not uncommon for a partial demolition of a home to reveal structural issues and other things which need fixing. Budget and plan ahead for that.
If you are ready to upgrade your landscaping and hardscaping, 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.
What are the aesthetics of exposed brick?
There are numerous ways to make an impact with aesthetics in the interior of your home. One classic look is that of exposed brick. It is a truly timeless look. You never have to worry about brick going out of style. To get some exposed brick inspiration and make your home look truly top notch, read on. (more…)
All about masonry and preventing lintel deterioration
When it comes to maintaining masonry there is a lot to keep in mind. Years of unpredictable and possibly harsh weather and other sorts of wear and tear can do a number on everything from brick and mortar to pavement and lintels. In fact, lintel deterioration is not uncommon. To learn about how to tackle lintel deterioration the right way, read on. (more…)
Which brick is right for you?
Whether you have a historic building you are restoring or are starting from scratch, choosing the right brick for your building is crucial. Here are several different ways to help you choose the right brick that will last you (and your building) many decades. (more…)
All about masonry.
Masonry is the units of material that makeup a concrete building. It can refer to a number of materials such as marble, stone, concrete, granite, limestone, and more. As even the strongest and most durable of materials does not last forever, it is a given that over time your building will begin to deteriorate and will require masonry repair. Masonry repair includes the upkeep, replacement, and looking after of any of the materials which make a building. (more…)
Mortar must remain above 40 degrees to be workable.
Chances are, you haven’t been able to go outside without a coat or scarf on for at least a couple weeks now, you had to finally locate your ice scraper in the backseat, and you have been turning on the heat in your home during the chilly winter nights. The change in weather doesn’t just mean a change in your daily routine, it can require a change in your masonry. Here are some tips for cold weather masonry during these cold winter months. (more…)
It’s not always a good idea to apply deicing products to your sidewalks.
In the winter many turn to the deicing product of their choice to keep their properties ice free. Ice can make concrete sidewalks slippery and potentially dangerous and possibly even damage certain materials over time. While shovels are often the safest way for removing snow and ice from masonry, it is not always enough to remove them completely. This is when people turn to a deicing product. However, excessive use of any deicing product comes with consequences. It can degrade masonry surfaces, damage mortar joints, and harm nearby vegetation.
There are numerous types of deicing product sold at various hardware stores. While these will undoubtedly melt snow, overuse has consequences for your sidewalk. Masonry surfaces can scale and flake when overexposed to these chemicals. This degradation is referred to as salt fretting and can often be found where the sidewalk and the bottom of a building meet. Severe fretting and even the loss of pieces of buildings and sidewalks are possible when a deicing product is overused.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions completely. Before you apply any deicing product, be sure to remove as much snow and ice as possible with a shovel. Only use it in areas of high foot traffic and be sure to keep it away from the base of your building. As the snow and ice melts, keep the slush away from the base of your building too. When spring comes, be sure to wash down any sidewalks and building bases that have been deicide to get rid of the product residue.
If you are ready to upgrade your property, 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.
Brick pavers last a very long time.
Are you preparing to spruce up your landscaping and utilize beautiful new pavers throughout your property? Making the choice between brick and concrete pavers can be tricky, so here are some helpful tips to aid you in choosing which to use during your project with Del Prete Masonry.
Brick pavers are a wonderful option for many home and business owners for reasons like these:
While brick pavers are fantastic options, there are a few downsides:
Concrete pavers work beautifully for pathways and walkways, and it’s easy to see why:
Concrete pavers are not without faults, however:
If you are ready to upgrade your property, 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.