Author Archive

How to Properly Clean Your Stone Building

Monday, August 24th, 2015

A balancing act is required when cleaning a stone building. You want to improve the aesthetics of your property, but you also need to make sure that the cleaning agents will not damage the structure and integrity of the stone.

Cleaning a stone building is not a simple project, and there are many important nuances to consider before embarking on a big project.

Stone Buildings and Abrasive Cleaning

Abrasive cleaning normally offers a quick turnaround through sandblasting and other methods to remove dirt and old paint. Unfortunately, abrasive cleaning can erode the structure and foundation of the building material. For something as historic as stone buildings, abrasive cleaning can generally cause more harm to the aesthetics and structure than good. Ornamental stone is at great risk of becoming damaged when excessive abrasive cleaning tactics are implemented. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Stone Masonry

Benefits of Using Stone to Construct Buildings

Friday, August 21st, 2015

Stone can be a beautiful way to construct or just accent your buildings and other structures. But what makes it advantageous over other building materials like brick, for example? The following are five reasons to consider using stone as the material for your next building:

Stone can be a beautiful way to construct or just accent your buildings and other structures. But what makes it advantageous over other building materials like brick, for example?

Advantages of Building with Stone

Environmentally friendly

Since stone is a natural material, it does not contain any toxic substances that may be harmful to humans. It can even be used in food areas! Stone does not require any chemicals or safety coatings to be made safe to use. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Stone Masonry

How to Prepare for Demolition Day

Thursday, August 13th, 2015

When it comes time to demolish your old building, you’re probably excited about the prospect of fresh starts and new beginnings. However, a big change is enough to leave anyone frazzled, especially when it comes to the demolition of an entire building. There fortunately are a few things you can do to help yourself prepare for demolition day in order to save money and keep your demolition on track and on schedule.

There fortunately are a few things you can do to help yourself prepare for demolition day in order to save money and keep your demolition on track and on schedule.

Tips to Help Prepare for Your Building’s Demolition

Move Your Property to Storage

Before any demolition project, you of course need to get your valuables out of there. Usually there’s at least something in your old building worth holding on to! Make sure your property is well out of harm’s way long before the demolition begins so you aren’t scrambling at the last second. Anything you find that you don’t need any more can be sold for a profit or donated to charity. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Demolition

Brick Cleaning Do’s and Don’ts

Thursday, August 6th, 2015

Even with brick’s tough reputation, it still needs a good cleaning every once in a while. In the same light, if you clean your brick without knowing the proper way, there’s a good chance you can damage it as well. And what’s worse, brick cleaning can be a challenge in itself – whether inside or outside, brick is susceptible to dirt, soot, and even mold. But don’t worry! Armed with a little elbow grease and the right materials, brick cleaning can be a success. If you follow these tips, you’re sure to have your bricks looking good as new in no time.

Armed with a little elbow grease and the right materials, brick cleaning can be a success. If you follow these tips, you’re sure to have your bricks looking good as new in no time.

Brick Cleaning How-To

When brick cleaning, it’s best to start off with the mildest method and eventually work up to the harshest. You should always start by brushing off the excess debris and dirt on top first, and remember that wet brick hides stains, so repeating steps may be necessary in the future. These brick cleaning methods are listed from mildest to harshest and should be tried in the order they appear. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Brick

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bricks!

Friday, July 31st, 2015

Bricks are one of the most common materials used in masonry projects for many reasons. They are reliable, durable, and beautiful, and can be used in a variety of different projects. But how much do you really know about them? How are bricks made? What is their history? Why should you choose bricks over granite, marble, or concrete? In this week’s blog, you’ll find out everything you ever wanted to know about bricks (and possibly more).

In this week’s blog, you’ll find out everything you ever wanted to know about bricks (and possibly more).

The History of Bricks

The oldest bricks ever discovered were made from shaped mud. They were found in Syria and are estimated to have been constructed in around 7500 BC. That’s about 9,500 years ago! Early civilizations in China and Europe have also been documented as using bricks for construction projects. The Ancient Greeks and Romans were some of the first to begin using fired bricks, which we still use today. They built large brick buildings and stamped them with the seal of the legion.

How Bricks are Made

There are three main types of brick: un-fired, fired, and chemically set. Each type of brick is manufactured in a different way. (more…)

Posted in Blog, Brick

Choosing the Right Masonry Contractor

Thursday, July 23rd, 2015

When remodeling or constructing a new building, quality stonework can add a unique, ageless aesthetic. Regardless of whether you know exactly what you want and how you want it or if you only have the vaguest idea, picking the right masonry contractor is the biggest factor in your satisfaction with the result. There are several strategies that you can employ to make sure you find the right masonry contractor for your work at the best price.

Make sure that you can find qualiy masonry at a good price.

(more…)

Posted in Blog, Brick, Commercial Masonry Baltimore, Granite, Masonry Contractor, Stone Masonry

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