Author Archive

How Masonry Can Improve the Value of your Property

Monday, February 23rd, 2015

It is exciting to complete a home renovation project. When you take a look at your beautiful new kitchen complete with granite countertops and a shiny new built-in wine cooler, you think, “What’s next?” The inside transformation will most definitely increase the value of your home, but many forget to remember that the outside is what draws consumers in. Pulling up to the front of your home gives a potential buyer his or her first impression of the home. “It’s great, but…” is a common phrase when something is off in a buyer’s mind. You want top dollar for your property so making sure the outside matches the inside is crucial to increase the property value.

Generate curb appeal.

Giving your home curb appeal will escalate its property value. A manicured lawn, a custom stone sidewalk and a smoothly paved asphalt driveway are all factors that contribute to curb appeal. Repointing your chimney is also a good way to give your home the “oomph” factor it needs. If your chimney looks like it is not supposed to be attached to your house, it may be time to have it re-done.

Upscale your home with brick.

Using brick to add property value is very common and is a mason’s job. Residing your home with brick not only increases its appearance but makes it more energy efficient. Brick and stonework have become more popular among new homebuyers. The more people want houses like this, the higher the price of the home. It is a smart choice to add stonework to your front and back yards.

Create ambiance with stonework in the backyard.

Having a patio for guests and family to sit on is wonderful during the spring, summer, and fall months. It allows for more space to entertain. Friends will be impressed with a stone patio complete with an outdoor fireplace. This air of elegance increases the property value significantly. The higher the quality of materials is, the higher the price of your home will be.

Want a Reliable Maryland Masonry Contractor?

Call Delprete Masonry. As Maryland’s foremost experts on masonry repair, construction, and demolition, our skilled teams have what it takes to provide you with the very best in masonry contracting. At Del Prete Masonry, we’ve got the answers you’re looking for.

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 Brick

Advantages of Stone Masonry For Buildings

Monday, February 16th, 2015

If you’re considering new commercial or residential construction get some stones and go with stone masonry for your project. Stone is more durable, long lasting, and better looking then anything else out there. Use stone masonry in your new construction and don’t just build a property, but build a property of value, that will last lifetimes.

Durable, Strong, Weather Resistant

No construction material is as durable, strong, or weather resistant as stone. Stone is hardly affected by the normal day to day actions that leave wear and tear on other construction materials. You might accidentally dent a plaster wall while moving furniture. Or scratch wood, or bend vinyl. Stone does not warp, swell, bend, splinter, or dent. And to chip or scratch stone you have to try pretty hard. Stone stand up against the blows of a sledgehammer better then concrete does. And wind, rain, hail, sleet, and snow do not bother stone in the slightest.

Long Lasting

Because of its strength, durability, and ability to weather weather stone lasts for a long time. The oldest human structures still standing are made from stone masonry. If you want a construction material that will stand the tests of weather and time, you build with stone. If you want your home or place of business to be an institution that you can pass onto your children, and their children’s children, you build with stone.

Aesthetic Appeal

Stone is versatile in its aesthetic appeal and can work well with other construction materials. It can be imposing, grandiose, dignified, and impressive, but it can also be warm, welcoming and homely. However, whether you’re building an extravagant cathedral, a solid bank, or a cozy stone cottage, stone is dependable. No other construction material makes a statement like stone. One that say’s you’re here and you intend to stay.

Stone Masonry From Del Prete Masonry

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

To find out more about your masonry options and building with stone 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 Stone Masonry

The Do’s and Don’ts of How to Properly Clean Masonry

Monday, February 9th, 2015

It’s important when cleaning masonry that you take the time to do it right, otherwise, you might end up permanently altering it’s appearance for the worse, or damaging your masonry. To help, Del Prete Masonry’s written a helpful guide of Do’s and Don’ts to remind you how to properly clean masonry.

Do Use Masonry Cleaners from Masonry Specialty Companies

Masonry companies will sell the proper chemical mixture compositions for cleaning masonry. These chemicals have been specially formulated to be effective over a large area, and produce uniform results over the masonry surface. More importantly, by getting the cleaner from a masonry specialty company, like Del Prete Masonry, you get the know how on how to apply the chemicals, not some guess work from a big box retail sales person who’s training was fifteen minutes watching a computer video.

Don’t use Muriatic Acid or Sandblasting

A mistake that is sometimes made by people who don’t know any better is to use the same methods to clean their Brick masonry as they would concrete, or stone. Muriatic acid or sandblasting can both etch and damage the brick and mortar, or irreversibly change its appearance.

Do Tests Before You Clean

Before you start cleaning your entire wall, it’s best to start by testing the cleaning product, on different stains on different brick colors and in different places. Because the cleaning chemicals and stains can be highly individual, what might work for one stain on one color of brick might not work on a different stain or with a different color of brick.

Don’t Test in a Conspicuous Place

It’s good that you’re testing, but you should also make sure your test is in as inconspicuous an area as possible. You should also make sure you rinse the test and give it time to dry, before deciding whether it’s good or not.

Do Prewet Surfaces and Apply With Low Pressure Spray

Applying clean water to the masonry before you apply the chemicals is a must for the chemical to soak into the brick and stains. When applying the chemicals starting at the top and moving down the wall with a low pressure spray, make sure you wet in advance of the spray.

Don’t Apply with High Pressure or Without Prewetting

High pressure sprayers will push the cleaner too deeply into the block where it cannot be rinsed out. If it cannot be rinsed out, it will result in masonry staining.

Finally, Do make sure you Rinse Thoroughly

It is essentially when rinsing that you wash off all of the cleaning chemicals. This means the chemicals that have soaked into the brick as well, for this purpose you should use a high power pressure washer. If it’s interior work, use an abundance of clean water, a sponge, or a toothbrush to finish off your cleaning.

Have Anymore Masonry Cleaning or Restoration Questions?

For other questions regarding masonry cleaning or restoration, feel free to contact Delprete Mansonry. 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 Masonry Restoration

Building Better with Brick

Monday, February 2nd, 2015

Spring is coming, your tax returns are around the corner, and you’re planning a new home improvement project. Del Prete Masonry is here to help, and to lead off we’ll explain why brick is the best material for your new home improvement project.

Strong and Safe

Fired brick, or ceramic brick, has been in use for thousands of years as a strong, long lasting material, durable to the elements. The component elements of brick can be altered to change its attributes, for example, brick can be made lighter, or stronger depending on the mixture. The raw materials and temperature that bricks are fired at can also be used to change the temperature of the bricks. Brick does not warp, rot, or erode as other construction materials might. It is also fireproof, and brick masonry has been shown to reduce the chances of a home being destroyed by a fire.

Low Maintenance and Energy Efficient

Brick is requires little maintenance, and has a high thermal mass, both aspects which make it an energy efficient building material.

Brick masonry construction does not need to be repainted, sanded, or refinished, like painted wood or plaster, and it does not fade and need to be replaced like vinyl siding does. All the maintenance brick needs is an occasional cleaning. This saves you time, energy, and money.

Brick’s thermal mass also makes it energy efficient. The thermal mass of a material measures how a material absorbs and releases heat. Another way to put it would be as a measurement of the thermal “inertia” of a material. Materials like iron are good thermal conductors and have a low thermal mass, it absorbs and releases heat quickly. Brick acts as a material with a high thermal mass, and has a high thermal inertia. Brick keeps the house cool during the day, slowly absorbing and storing heat from the surrounding air and sun. When night comes time and the outside temperature starts to cool, the brick releases the heat it has absorbed into the home, and then starts the process all over again with dawn. Materials with a high thermal mass, like brick, are best in temperate climates like where we are.

Aesthetically Flexible

As a design material, fired brick is one of the most flexible materials around. Brick come in many colors, from whites and yellows, to the more common pinks, reds, and browns. Brick may even be purple or black. Bricks can be made to all be the same color, or you can alternate colors, and construction patterns to make designs in whatever you’re constructing. It can be used in classical as well as contemporary design. And brick can be used well with other materials as a complementary or contrasting feature.

Want your next Home Improvement project done with Brick?

Call Del Prete Masonry. As Maryland’s foremost experts on masonry repair, construction, and demolition, our skilled teams have what it takes to provide you with the very best in masonry contracting. At Del Prete Masonry, we’ve got the answers you’re looking for.

Posted in Blog, Brick, Brick

How to Know If Your Masonry Needs Re-Pointing

Monday, February 2nd, 2015

Mortar restoration, also known as re-pointing, is a method used by masons to keep a brick building holding together physically and aesthetically the way it was intended. Brick and mortar is a solid method of building structures and a very common method used by masons all around. In fact, brick and mortar, also known as masonry, can last a long while before maintenance is needed. The average time masonry can safely go without repairs (barring any sort of natural disasters) is 50-100 years. However, once that time has been reached, it is suggested that the home/business owner consider masonry restoration.

What are the signs?

A range of 50-100 years is a long margin of time before needing restoration; such a great margin makes it hard to determine when re-pointing should be done. If your house was built in 1950 should you have re-pointed your masonry in the year 2000, or should you wait until 2050? Knowing the signs of wear can help make the decision earlier. Examining the joints, meaning the area between the bricks where the mortar meets brick, would be step number one in this endeavor.

Weathered or flakey mortar can be a sign of deteriorating integrity in the masonry.
Cracked or missing mortar is a definite sign and re-pointing would definitely be recommended
Mismatched coloring in the mortar. This is a sign of an inappropriate re-pointing done in the past and the integrity is hard to tell on face value. Re-pointing can be done as a precaution.

If done correctly, re-pointing won’t have to be done for another 50-100 years, depending on certain elements like climate, rainfall, wind, etc. These may seem like small details but in the possible span of 100 years, the amount of tiny raindrops on your home can factor into the frequency of your home’s mortar restoration. However, if done correctly and all elements are taken into account, you can get at least 50 years out of your masonry.

What to do now

To reiterate, re-pointing can greatly improve the lifespan of a building. Without doing so, the structural integrity can become compromised. Water damage could also occur if restoration is not sought after, degrading the masonry itself and allowing water to enter the house. Del Prete Masonry is a business of professionals, dedicated to solid work that stands the test of time. Unless you get work on multiple brick walls, you may only meet the excellent masons of Del Prete once, at least for re-pointing, as their job is always done right.

To get started with your brick masonry 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

The History of Brick

Friday, January 16th, 2015

At Del Prete Masonry, we’re proud to continue the historic tradition of masonry, a craft that extends thousands of years into our past, with a history as storied and fascinating as the chronicle of any nation. Today, we’re looking backwards into the history behind one of the most crucial and powerful items of our trade: the humble brick.

The Middle East

As far as historians can tell, the earliest discovered bricks date as far back as 7500 BC. These early bricks were dried, which means that they were made out of clay-laden dirt and mud, then dried under sunlight until they were hearty enough to be used in construction. The oldest known bricks hail from a part of the planet that is now Syria. Other discoveries, which date as far back as 7000 BC, include bricks from the ancient city of Jericho and the Egyptian fortress of Buhen which ran along the west bank of the Nile River.

China

As early as 2000 BC, bricks were certainly being used in Chinese architecture. Scientists and scholars have even established that the Chinese were already mass-producing bricks roughly 300 years ago during the Western Zhou dynasty. In 1368 AD, under the Ming Dynasty, bricks were already being fired in kilns. To make these bricks clay and water were mixed together, then trampled over by oxen who beat it into a paste. The paste was then lain in wood frames and smoothed with a wiry bow. The bricks were then stamped with the brickmaster’s insignia and loaded into a wood-fueled kiln and removed while the kiln was still burning.

Europe

The Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations also used fired bricks. The Romans designed and perfected the use of mobile, cart-bound kilns and constructed massive brick buildings and structures all over their empire bearing the seal of the Roman legion. The middle ages saw brickmaking finally make its way to northern Europe and was popular in places without native rocks suitable for construction. Some of these buildings still stand today in Denmark, Germany, Russia, and Poland. This kind of brickmaking and architecture would eventually transform into the style that became popularized during the Italian Renaissance.

At Del Prete, We Know Where We’re Coming From

We recognize the importance of history and our professionals know everything about brick masonry, from practical skills to historical facts. For other questions regarding brick masonry, feel free to contact Delprete Mansonry. Our brick masonry 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 brick masonry 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, Brick

Signs You Have a Bad Masonry Foundation

Friday, January 9th, 2015

Foundation

Your home’s masonry foundation is incredibly important to its long-term survival. Without a solid foundation, you’re home or business will swiftly crumble and sink into the ground. That’s why it’s important to be on the lookout against foundation damage. Foundation damage is typically caused by moisture and will manifest in a number of ways. Del Prete Masonry is here to help with some of the most common signs of a bad foundation.

Crooked Windows and Doors

Door and window installers do their utmost to put in their wares so that they’re completely level. If they start to move out of alignment, it’s most likely because your masonry foundation has started to move. If your doors and windows become very difficult to open and close, or even show signs of damaged glass, it’s highly likely that the foundation in that region of the house has started to go bad.

Cracked Walls and Sloped Floors

If the level of your home’s floor starts to change, it’s almost certain that the foundation beneath it has started to settle, however this can be difficult to notice, especially with carpet. If your floors are uncarpeted, try dropping a marble and seeing if it rolls in an area you thought was flat. A sinking masonry foundation may prompt the developing of cracks in your drywall, particularly drywall near windows and doors. Be sure to look out for ejected drywall screws/ nails and baseboard gapping.

External Cracks/ Wall Bulges

While minute cracks are not unusual in masonry foundations, walls, and footers, be on the lookout for large, patterned cracks that seem to keep growing. If you see clearly rectangular patterns of cracks in your foundation masonry, or you notice unusual bulges in the foundation walls, the ground beneath it could be shifting. It’s also worth paying attention to your masonry chimney, if you spot cracks or damage on it, the frame of your house could be unstable.

Misc. Signs

Oftentimes, a masonry foundation will be set on top of posts and beams, if an inspector finds that these are leaning, the house has probably changed its position. If you spot water underneath your house or find that the ground seems wet on one face of it but dry on another, you could have drainage problems that need fixing. Taking care of these issues can nip masonry foundation damage in the bud.

Need To Repair Your Masonry 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?

Posted in Blog, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

How to Hire a Masonry Contractor in Maryland

Monday, December 22nd, 2014

Whether you’re looking to have a masonry structure retouched, repaired, demolished, or constructed from scratch, deciding on the masonry contractor that’s best for the job can be a difficult choice to make. Del Prete Masonry is here with a few tips for finding a masonry contractor that will do the job right the first time.

Know exactly what you want done and communicate it clearly. Masonry contractors employ specific specialists for certain kinds of work. Let them know exactly what you’re looking for so they can determine if they have the appropriate staff available for your project.
Be patient and search thoroughly. Ask your friends and family for advice or endorsements on masonry contractors they’ve hired. While word of mouth is a fine way to discover a few available contractors, it’s also well worth examining consumer review websites and the like to get a sense of a company’s overall quality.
Don’t accept the first bid you get, or the lowest one. Make arrangements to meet with at least three masonry contractors and be sure to get an itemized quote that breaks down the price of each element of your project. Absurdly low bids may lead to hidden costs popping up later or shoddy materials being used in the construction.
Find references. Make sure previous customers of a potential Maryland masonry contractor are generally satisfied with the work they had done, and do the necessary digging to locate any unsatisfied customers wo may have legitimate complaints.
Ask for proof of insurance and licensing. A masonry contractor must be licensed to perform work in Maryland. A license is the most basic guarantee any contractor can provide towards their professional knowledge and level of skill. It is illegal for any masonry contractor to work in Maryland without a license. Similarly it’s important to know that your Masonry contractor is properly insured. They’ll need to have both general liability and workers’ insurance to cover employees if they are injured.

Want a Reliable Maryland Masonry Contractor?

Posted in Blog, Brick, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

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?

Posted in Blog, Brick, Commercial Masonry Baltimore

Methods of Masonry Demolition in Maryland: Pusher Arm

Monday, November 24th, 2014

Whether you’re clearing way for a beautiful new masonry structure, or just looking to get rid of a structurally unsound eyesore, you need to consult a masonry demolitions expert on how you’re going to take down your masonry structure in Maryland. But how to do it? Del Prete Masonry is here with the inside scoop on one of the most common masonry demolition tools: the pusher arm.

What is a Pusher Arm?

A pusher arm is masonry demolition in-speak for a hydraulically powered excavator or loader that has been re-fitted with attachments to repurpose these construction machines for masonry demolition, such as percussion breakers and excavator buckets.

The Advantages of Pusher Arm Demolition

The chief benefit of using a pusher arm for your Maryland masonry demolition project is that the machines are very mobile, can handle large amounts of masonry at once, and are able to work on walls and floors that are above ground level. A team of pusher arm machines can be strategically employed to bring down masonry structures in a relatively short amount of time. Great for demolishing masonry infill structures, pusher arms can take down an infill structure by pushing them over in stages using continuous horizontal pressure.

The Disadvantages of Pusher Arm Demolition

To work efficiently, pusher arm machines need sufficient space to maneuver and gain access to a structure, as well as a flat and sturdy base. They are also limited by the reach of their arms whch must be extended at least 1.5 meters above the building being demolished. This method of masonry demolition is not recommended for large buildings on difficult to navigate sites

Pusher Arm Demolition Safety Precautions

Make sure that your Maryland site has been secured against unintentional entry by unauthorized personnel during demolition.
Always conduct demolition from the exterior of the building, and never let anyone enter the building while pusher arms are in operation.
Be sure that the operator has been trained in the work, or is being instructed by a trained person.
Use hand demolition to get the building to a level where pushing can start.
Separate the masonry structure from any attached buildings using hand demoltion.
Make sure that debris does not build up too high against the walls: this may push the wall onto the machine.

Need Masonry Demolition in Maryland?

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