Author Archive

Maintaining and Restoring Historic Marble and Limestone Structures

Wednesday, July 13th, 2016

Marble and limestone are the stones of history, and we must do our part to preserve them.

Stone is one of the most enduring construction materials, and has throughout history been a lasting testament to architecture. Marble and limestone, valued for their versatility and beauty, are two of the most common materials used in historic structures. But despite their tenacity, even marble and limestone will suffer from wear over time. Pollution and urbanization are contributing to stone deterioration faster than ever before.
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Posted in Marble

Choosing the Right Masonry Paint

Wednesday, July 6th, 2016

Masonry paints can help you achieve the right look for your project.

We discussed last week how you can change the look of your structure’s exterior through masonry staining. But what if you want a more custom color or design?Masonry paints can help you achieve the look you want. Still, not all masonry materials are the same and finding the right paint for the job can be tricky. Here’s a few things to keep in mind so that you can make the right choices for your next masonry project. (more…)

Posted in Stone Masonry

What Is Masonry Staining?

Thursday, June 30th, 2016

Masonry staining adds flexibility to any masonry project.

Masonry staining is the art and science of transforming the color of masonry with a custom stain solution. Masonry staining is a crucial component of the masonry industry and has empowered architects, owners and project managers to achieve a desired color when designing and building with masonry. With masonry staining traditional color limitations can be overcome and risks associated with a project can be avoided. (more…)

Posted in Commercial Masonry Baltimore, Masonry Restoration

Why Your Business Needs Custom Stone Signage

Thursday, June 23rd, 2016

A stone sign demonstrates confidence in your business.

Many businesses often overlook the need for creating a custom, unique sign. A business sign is more than just a way for your customers to locate your company. Custom stone signage distinguishes your business from competitors and promotes your brand. A good sign can help plant the seeds for future sales and client relations. If you’re planning to start a new business investing in custom stone signage should be a key consideration.

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Posted in Stone Masonry

Safety Tips for Working with Concrete

Friday, June 17th, 2016

Be cautious when handling fresh cement.

Concrete is an incredibly beneficial material to work with due to its malleable characteristics when freshly mixed, and durability when hardened. Still, it’s imperative to understand the risks surrounding concrete construction job sites and how you can minimize exposure to health and safety hazards.

Exercise Caution Around Fresh Materials

Wet cement is a caustic material that can result in severe chemical burns when exposed to the skin or eyes. Stay safe by always wearing the proper eye protection, alkali-resistant gloves, and full length shirts and pants when working near wet cement. If you must stand in fresh concrete while it’s being placed, ensure that you are wearing water proof boots.

Furthermore, cement presents the danger of inhalation due to its naturally small particles. Exposure to cement dust can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and upper respiratory system. Exercise safety precaution by wearing a dust mask when opening bags or sacks of cement.

Protect Your Body

Working on a construction site can present a number of hazards that may cause bodily harm. Wear a hard hat to protect your head and avoid working beneath heavy machinery where falling objects may be common.

Materials and machinery required to make and pour concrete can also be very heavy and strenuous on a person’s body. Take care to keep your back straight and your legs bent to avoid strain on your back when lifting heavy objects.

Worker Safety Tips

Make sure you know to use tools and operate machinery safely before doing so. Exercise caution near mixers and ready-mix trucks that have confined spaces.

Any areas of the skin that come into contact with wet concrete should be washed away immediately with cold, running water. Flush your eyes with water if they come into contact with fresh concrete. If burns persist, seek medical assistance right away. Don’t let small problems turn into big ones!

Stay Safe on the Job with Del Prete Masonry

Need someone to do the heavy lifting? 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+!

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Posted in Concrete

The Benefits of Commercial Brick Repair

Friday, June 10th, 2016

Keep your bricks looking beautiful for years to come with the proper commercial brick repair.

Whether you just purchased a historic building, found a fixer-upper, or have been in an aging property for a long time, you may not realize that seemingly small issues with your brick masonry may indicate huge problems for you now or in the future. By getting commercial brick repair done today, you can insure your beautiful brick will both embellish and support your building for years to come.

Concerned About Cracking

If your brick masonry has lines distributed through it that look like the side view of a flight of stairs, it’s time to repair the cracking before it becomes a bigger problem. Cracking along mortar joints can indicate foundation problems that may require major repairs. Cracking can also suggest more minor issues like an initial design flaw, deterioration, or settlement.

Check the Chimney

Even businesses and homes that do not have all-over brick masonry may have brick chimneys. While chimneys are self-supporting structures, if they are not properly cared for they can lose their ability to support the building and potentially damage the surrounding structure. It can be easy to put off chimney repairs since they seem costly and unnecessary, but getting a brick repair specialist to examine the structure is your best bet to prevent problems down the road.

Leaning

This symptom indicates a major structural issue. If any part of the building or home appears to be leaning forward or to the side, it is vital to address the issue immediately. The section of wall or chimney that looks unstable today can turn in to an entire building that is unstable and legally uninhabitable tomorrow.

Unsecured Walls

Unsecured walls are another urgent problem for your business property. You may need this type of commercial brick repair if corners were cut before or after you acquired the property. Many times historical properties undergoing renovation or restoration need walls reconnected to make the building safe again. Before you worry about cosmetic concerns, make sure you tackle structural issues!

Leaks

You may not notice a leak until after a particularly bad thunderstorm or flash flood, but once it’s there it should be addressed as quickly as possible to prevent more harm to your business. A leak in the wall will eventually lead to building-wide deterioration and can be quickly resolved with our expertise (and prevented in the future with waterproofing services).

Staining

Stains are expected as your masonry ages and a great and cost-effective way to spruce up your building’s appearance is by getting your bricks restored or repointed. Brick is a beautiful and historic building material and by properly caring for your brick, your business can shine from the foundation to the façade.

Searching for an Expert in Commercial Brick Repair?

If you are worried about leaning or just want to get your brick looking brand new, Del Prete Masonry has the experience and expertise to get the job done right for the right price. To explore our commercial brick repair 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.

Posted in Blog, Brick

The Benefits of Custom Masonry Monuments

Friday, June 3rd, 2016

A custom masonry monument lets others know who you are as well as provides useful information at a glance.

An outdoor sign is one of the most traditional forms of advertising, but it is still one of the most effective.

Custom masonry monuments catch the eye of a potential customer, and it’s a nice way to introduce your business to a new potential client. With a well-placed sign, you help set your business up for success. Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits of custom masonry monuments. (more…)

Posted in Commercial Masonry Baltimore

The Benefits of Concrete Blocks

Wednesday, May 25th, 2016

Concrete blocks offer numerous benefits across a number of different construction, landscaping and hardscaping applications. It is a budget friendly and earth friendly material that can suit a number of different tastes and designs. To learn more about the many benefits of concrete blocks, read on.

Concrete Blocks Cut Construction Costs

Concrete blocks are a budget friendly and earth friendly material that can be used for any number of designs and landscaping.

Concrete blocks are a budget-friendly building material and are far cheaper than a number of other common building materials. In order to produce brick hectors of land, a large amount of wood and coal are utilized. Concrete blocks are significantly cheaper as they require fewer resources to manufacture. This translates into lower costs overall. In fact, each block of concrete saves approximately 25% when compared to brick.

Using Concrete Blocks Leads To A Reduction In Maintenance Costs

In the long run, concrete buildings, structures, and pavements stand the test of time while requiring minimal maintenance compared to other materials, giving them a definite edge. Moisture, which warps wood and causes metal to rust and degrade, has no such effect on concrete blocks. While wood is vulnerable to moisture, sunlight, mold, and insect infestation, concrete blocks are not and will not require costly repair under these conditions. This is why structures built thousands of years ago using concrete still stand today.

Concrete Blocks Are Energy Efficient

It turns out that 80% or more of the greenhouse gasses generated from structures are released due to the energy it takes to constantly heat and cool them. Concrete is different. Insulated concrete wall systems have a high R-value and thermal mass as well as low air infiltration. This means that unlike other structures, which leach heat or cool air out into the world, concrete structures have high thermal efficiency and ensure a stellar energy performance. Homes constructed with insulated concrete do not experience large temperature fluctuations, and can cut their energy bills by up to 25%.

Get In Touch With Del Prete Masonry Today

For all of your questions regarding marble flooring, 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+!

Posted in Concrete

Featured Project: Lake Roland Park Stormwater Basin

Friday, May 20th, 2016

The original stormwater basin (left) and the basin with new natural stones (right).

Our team recently finished work on an interesting project that we thought our readers would enjoy! We set to work reconstructing an old stormwater basin in Lake Roland Park. This stone stormwater basin has been a feature of the park since 1840. It was crucial for us to restore the stormwater basin so that it had renewed structural integrity while still preserving the original design of the basin. The result is a new and functional basin that still captures the history of the park. (more…)

Posted in Stone Masonry

Why Use Natural Stone?

Friday, May 13th, 2016

Natural stone adds a sophisticated, natural element to any structure.

When it comes time to plan or build a new structure, many wonder just what materials to use. There are certainly a number of different mediums to choose from, all with their own unique pros, cons, look, and lifespan. Natural stone, however, is an old favorite that’s always worth another look for these, and many other reasons. (more…)

Posted in Commercial Masonry Baltimore