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Watch Out for These Signs of Poor Masonry Work

Friday, July 17th, 2015

Take a look at the brick buildings and structures on your property. How do they look? Unfortunately, although brick is a great, sturdy material to build with, unsafe practices can make it hazardous. If your brickwork was done by a sketchy masonry company or built very many years ago, you’re going to need to watch out for signs that it may be falling apart or in need of repair. Find out how to identify if you’ve been the victim of poor masonry work by reading the following tips:

Find out how to identify if you’ve been the victim of poor masonry work by reading the following tips.

Poor Masonry Work Signs

Cracks

Cracks indicate weakness in the structure and are never a good sign, whether they’re horizontal or vertical. If you see heavy vertical cracking, however, it could mean that the foundation has settled.

Faulty alignment

Sometimes, the mortar can react to water and expand, which will in turn push the bricks out of alignment. If your structure is fairly old, this can be a common problem.

Parging

A shoddy construction company will sometimes cover bricks that are structurally unsound with a layer of this material. It resembles a smooth stucco, but its purpose is really just to hide defects within poor masonry work.

Wooden beams and lintels

If you’re the owner of an older building, you may have noticed that your building is supported with wooden frames. However, recently we’ve discovered that these wooden frames can’t always fully support the weight of bricks. In the event of a fire, they’re also more likely to burn and potentially collapse your building.

Sand lime mortar

Although this type of mortar was commonly used during the 20^th century, it does have a fairly high risk of failure. It can be rinsed away when exposed to enough water due to it being water-soluble.

If you’re looking for a professional masonry construction company that won’t cut corners, look no further. Get in touch with DelPrete Masonry today!

At DelPrete Masonry, we offer professional masonry restoration for your building or structure. 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 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

When is it Time for Masonry Restoration?

Wednesday, July 8th, 2015

Masonry is one of the oldest professions out there, dating back to well over 5,000 years ago. Even though centuries have been spent now to try and perfect the art, unfortunately, brick and stone work does deteriorate over a period of time. When that happens, you may be tempted to demolish it. Maybe you would even just leave it be and hope it doesn’t get any worse. But in fact, oftentimes, the best course of action is to hire an experienced and detail-oriented company to professionally restore your masonry. At DelPrete Masonry, our craftsmen are able to utilize brick, stone, and other materials to restore new life into your older building without sacrificing the aesthetic appeal.

At DelPrete Masonry, our craftsmen are able to utilize brick, stone, and other materials to restore new life into your older building without sacrificing the aesthetic appeal.

Reasons for Masonry Restoration

1. It’s lacking in the aesthetics department.

Crumbling, faded masonry just isn’t pretty to look at. If your building’s structure is still completely functional, just could use a face lift, masonry restoration is a great option to preserve the original building and avoid the costs of demolition.

2. It’s unstable.

Although stone and brick masonry stands up well to the elements, if it was constructed poorly or is just very old, it may start to crack and crumble. DelPrete Masonry will be able to take a look and tell if masonry restoration can help to bring stability back to your structure.

3. It’s historic.

Many brick and stone structures and buildings contain rich history. By neglecting to maintain them properly, you could be neglecting a piece of history.

Many times, masonry restoration is the best option if you think your masonry could use a little love. Avoid costly and time-consuming demolition and save history through the simple process of restoration with DelPrete Masonry.

Posted in Blog, Masonry Restoration

Safety Rules to Follow When Beginning a Demolition Project

Wednesday, July 1st, 2015

Demolition projects may seem mostly straightforward, but in reality, there is a lot that can go wrong. When you’re dealing with the destruction of large buildings, there is always the chance of someone getting hurt. However, you can minimize that risk by implementing some basic safety rules. If you follow these rules and play it safe, you can complete your demolition project quickly and with no trouble at all.

When you’re dealing with the destruction of large buildings, there is always the chance of someone getting hurt. However, you can minimize that risk by implementing some basic safety rules.

Be Prepared

The first step before making a demolition is to conduct a thorough survey of the building. Make sure to note the condition of the walls, floors, and framing to prevent the possibility that part of the structure may make an unplanned collapse during the process. You also need to find out if any hazardous materials such as chemicals, gases, or explosives were used with any equipment in the structure. These materials can cause big safety hazards during a demolition if not taken into account and removed.

Check it Twice!

Take care to remove any glass ahead of time that may shatter during demolition. If the structure of the building has been damaged, you will need to brace the walls so that your employees are not put in danger when they must work inside the building. Perhaps most importantly, ensure that all utility and service lines have been shut off before you begin any work. Finally, always go from top to bottom in any demolition project. Each story of the building needs to be demolished and removed prior to beginning demolition on the next story. Warning and safety signs are also always a great idea to install around the area to make sure everyone involved remains aware.

Demolition doesn’t have to be a chore! If you call DelPrete Masonry, we promise to take every precaution necessary to ensure that every aspect of the structure and the surrounding property are prepared for a safe demolition. We perform a thorough cleanup of the area and leave it ready for you to begin your next phase.

Need Demolition Services?

Contact DelPrete 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 professional 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 Blog, Demolition

Why does your Business need Professional Masonry?

Monday, June 29th, 2015

Professional masonry can change your business.

When it comes to sending a powerful message, or showing the world that you mean business, you’re going to need a little help. That’s where professional masonry structures come in. A new monument or sign made out of professional masonry materials can really add the punch that your business could benefit from. Would you like to learn more about using professional masonry for your business? Let’s do it! (more…)

Posted in Commercial Masonry Baltimore, Masonry Contractor

How to Find the Best Masonry Contractor

Monday, June 15th, 2015

Looking for a good masonry contractor, but not sure where to start?

Finding the right contractor for your next masonry project can be a bit of a hassle. Where can you begin? A lot of contractors are going to tell you just how perfect they are for the job, but how can you verify that for yourself. That’s what we’re going to talk about today. So, are you ready to find out how you can find the best masonry contractor? Let’s do this! (more…)

Posted in Masonry Contractor

Demolition Doesn’t Have to be a Disaster

Monday, June 8th, 2015

Demolition doesn’t have to be a disaster. Plan with us!

Sometimes an old building just has to go. It happens, but are you ready for it? Having a building or structure demolished can get messy quickly if you’re not properly prepared. That’s why we’re giving you the rundown on demolition so that you can be ready when the time comes. Interested in learning more about the process? Read more and find the answers to your demolition questions. (more…)

Posted in Demolition

Stucco Repairs and You

Sunday, May 31st, 2015

We’ve got the rundown on stucco.

Today we’ll be talking about stucco and when you should call in professionals to repair it. We’ll be starting with a little bit of information of where you can use stucco and what can go wrong with it. Are you ready to learn more about stucco and how to monitor it? Let’s go for it! (more…)

Posted in Masonry Restoration, Stone Masonry

Restoring your Bricks by Tuckpointing

Monday, May 25th, 2015

Do your bricks need a facelift?

Bricks wear down over the years from moisture and weather, but what if you could restore them? Well, using a method known as “tuckpointing” you can. Tuckpointing restores the mortar of your bricks and keeps them looking fresh and new. So, are you ready to learn more about tuckpointing? Here we go! (more…)

Posted in Masonry Restoration

Foundation Trouble is no Joke

Friday, May 15th, 2015

Are you worried about your foundation?

Having trouble with a building’s foundation can lead to big problems if you don’t work to fix it quickly. The worst case scenario is, of course, the collapse of your bulding or structure. This can be exceptionally dangerous to the people in the building as well as the people around the building. So, if you think that your building or masonry structure is having foundation issues, please seek help immediately. We’ve got some signs and symptoms you need to look for to make sure your building is safe. Ready? Let’s do it!

Cracks and Crumbles

They says that even one brick out of place can lead to problems down the line, so it’s essential that you keep an eye on the bricks that make up your foundation. You will probably see little cracks here and there, but those are normal. What you’re looking for is a crack that appears in a diagonal pattern. You should also keep an eye out for the ceilings that are beginning to separate from their rightful place. Having trouble with floors that slope? This could also be an issue.

Don’t Panic.

Not every little crack or crease necessarily means that your building or home is going to come crumbling down. You simply need to keep an eye on the foundation so that you can get it repaired in a timely fashion before you have any real cause for concern.

Worried about your 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?

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

The Rundown on Concrete

Friday, May 8th, 2015

Concrete is an impressive material

We’ve talked about marble and brick, but what about concrete? Concrete may not be the prettiest girl at the ball, but she’s sturdy and cost efficient. So, let’s get the rundown on what makes concrete an awesome masonry material for your next project. Ready? Here we go! (more…)

Posted in Concrete