Archive for the ‘ Masonry Construction ’ Category

What You Need to Know About Acid Washing

Monday, August 12th, 2019

Here are some things you should know about acid washing.

After any new hardscaping project, you might notice that, in spite of cleaning the excess mortar, that there could be a chalky residue left behind. Fortunately, there is a simple remedy for this, which is an acid wash. By using an acid wash, your new masonry structure will be clean and look as fresh and new as it should. Here are some things you should know about acid washing.

How It Works

Acid washing cleans up the residue from a masonry project, such as a new installation or a repair job. By using a solution of acid, such as hydrochloric acid, that is diluted in water, the loose debris and thin film of mortar gets broken down so that it can be easily washed away. The reaction is usually mild and results in some bubbling, but in most cases, an acid wash eliminates the need for heavy scrubbing, which is why it is the preferred method of cleaning masonry.

DIY Acid Wash?

Although there are many acid wash products available at hardware stores for you to try yourself, there are a couple of reasons why it might not be a good idea to take on the project alone. First, most acid wash products require you to figure out the ratios for diluting the acid yourself. Even with instructions on the container, you might find that their recommendation is too weak or too strong for your project. Not to mention that handling acid can be very dangerous. Without the proper protective gear, you can get nasty chemical burns on your skin.

Hire a Professional

Lastly, acid washing can be a delicate process and if you leave the acid on too long or scrub it off too hard you run the risk of damaging your masonry structure. While acid washing can sometimes replace traditional cleanup or help make up for a sloppily installed masonry project, it won’t solve everything. It’s better to have an expert take care of your masonry maintenance so that you will have peace of mind that everything will turn out right.

Contact Del Prete Masonry Today!

Whether you are ready to start your next masonry project or are still hesitant and have questions, Del Prete Masonry is here to help. We have the experience and expertise to get it right the first time. Questions? Want to visit some of our residential or commercial projects? Ready to set up a consultation? Feel free to give us a call at 410-683-0650 or visit us online. We are happy to serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and to keep up with our new and exciting projects, be sure to Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Posted in Masonry Construction

How to Take Care of Your New Masonry Structure

Monday, July 15th, 2019

With these guidelines, you will know the steps to properly care for your new masonry structure.

Adding a masonry structure to your home or business is certainly a high point for any construction process. Since it is a significant investment of time and money, it is good to know how to care for your masonry structure so that it can maintain its potential to last a lifetime. With these guidelines, you will know the steps to properly care for your new masonry structure.

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Posted in Masonry Construction

Reasons Consider Masonry Materials

Monday, July 8th, 2019

Here are some reasons why you should choose masonry materials for your construction project.

There are many building materials to choose from, and if you’re reading this then you could be considering going with masonry for your next construction project. There are a few pros and cons to any type of material, and if the expense and labor-intensive involvement of masonry materials is a turn off, then keep in mind that there are several benefits that make it worth it in the long run. Here are some reasons why you should choose masonry materials for your construction project.

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Posted in Masonry Construction

Helpful Pointers for Cleaning Your Masonry Structure

Monday, April 29th, 2019

It can be exciting to have a new masonry structure installed. Starting good maintenance habits now will help it stay in its best condition for as long as possible. And one important aspect of proper maintenance is cleaning. Here are a few tricks of the trade for cleaning your new masonry structure.

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Posted in Masonry Construction

What is Acid Washing?

Monday, February 18th, 2019

After any wet-set hardscaping installation, you need to give your project an acid wash remove any leftover residue and bring the stone to life.

You’ve completed your new hardscaping project and cleaned up most of the extra mortar, but there’s still a chalky residue keeping your new installation from looking the way you expected. It’s time for an acid wash to finish up your new feature. After any wet-set hardscape installation, you need to give your project a final clean to help remove any leftover residue and bring the stone to life.

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Posted in Masonry Construction

4 Common Types of Masonry Materials

Friday, November 16th, 2018

Stone is one of the more expensive masonry materials, known for its timeless look and durability!

Masonry is the act of building and constructing with the use of stone materials. These masonry materials serve as the backbone of many crucial constructions such as buildings, walls, and various pieces of hardscaping. What masonry materials are the most commonly used and best ones to use for masonry projects? Here are four of the most common types of masonry materials.

Stone

If you are looking for more aesthetically pleasing masonry materials, then stone may be exactly what you need. Stone is a classic, timeless look for masonry materials, which makes it perfect if you desire stylish masonry materials for your project. It is also a durable, low maintenance material to work with after your project is done. It is damage-resistant which helps with its great durability.

Concrete

Concrete is one of the most common types of masonry materials you will find. For starters, it is among the cheaper masonry materials to work with, which makes it desirable for bigger projects. Concrete also carries with it a high insulation factor, which can help cut the utility costs for the building it is used for. It is also made more common due to the fact that it allows for construction to go along faster that other masonry materials.

Stucco

Much like stone, stucco is one of the most highly durable masonry materials. Its high damage resistance will allow for it to last for a considerable amount of time without worry. However, stucco is not without its drawbacks. There are concerns for stucco that other masonry materials do not need to worry about. For example, there is the concern that moisture could accumulate on downward slopes in the stone. Additionally, construction can very easily get messy when dealing with stucco.

Brick

Brick is another common masonry material that is often found amongst masonry projects. Brick has always been preferred to other masonry materials for well suited reasons. It is a special type of masonry material considering that it has been used for centuries without ever really disappearing. This is partly because it is both wind and fire resistant, as well as controls moisture quite well. It is low maintenance, but it should be noted that when repairs are needed, they can be costly. Their weight can also place quite a bit of stress on the structures they are used for, which you should keep an eye out for.

Contact Del Prete Masonry Today for Your Construction Project!

If you are ready to upgrade your home or commercial building with professional masonry installation or replacement, 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.

Posted in Masonry Construction

The Steps to Preparing Your Site for Masonry Construction

Friday, October 26th, 2018

Excavating is the process of digging up any necessary dirt to prepare your site for masonry construction!

A new construction project is a big investment and requires a lot of planning and preparation. A commonly overlooked step in the construction process is preparing the actual site. You may think that starting construction is as easy as picking an empty lot and starting to build, but that is not the case. Here are the steps to preparing your site for masonry construction.

Rough Staking

This is the process of laying out the masonry construction project. This is an important step because it costs money to clear out a construction site, so it will save both time and money to know what needs to be done in advance. Rough stakes look like long sticks that are put into the ground to outline the area where the masonry construction will take place. This gives you and your masonry contractor an idea of what space they are working with.

Clearing

After the site is rough staked, the next step is to clear everything and make room for construction. Trees, roots, vegetation, and anything else that may be in the way need to be cleared. When clearing a spot, you must decide what to do with the debris. The easiest option (also the most expensive) is to hire someone to haul it away, but you could also opt to bury or burn it.

Excavation

If your masonry building is going to have a basement, then the ground will need to be excavated to accommodate for that. You will need to consider what to do with the excess dirt that is dug out of the ground. You may choose to use the dirt to fill in areas on the property that could use more dirt.

Rough Grading

Rough grading is when you shift dirt around to get the desired grade level that you want for your masonry construction project. When you do this, be sure to consider any drainage needs for the building. The best way to do rough grading is to cut and fill evenly in order to avoid those expensive hauling costs. This simply means that you want to use dirt you already need to dig up to fill open spaces and vise versa.

Contact Del Prete Masonry Today for Your Masonry Construction Project!

Posted in Masonry Construction

Tips for Taking Care of Your New Masonry Structure

Friday, September 21st, 2018

A new masonry structure can add a lot of appeal and character to any building, so you want to keep it looking new for as long as possible!

Getting a new structure built for your home or business is very exciting. Because you are probably going to invest a good amount of money into your new masonry structure, you want it to last as long as possible. The best way to do this is to take proper care of it. Here are some tips for taking care of your new masonry structure.

Cleaning Materials

Your masonry structure does not require extensive maintenance, but cleaning it every so often is a good way to keep it looking new. You want to make sure that you are using mild cleaners that are safe and effective for the masonry materials. Avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning your structure because it can cause it to deteriorate early or become discolored. You also want to avoid things like sand blasters because the impact can cause damage to your new masonry structure.

Patience is Key

The excitement of having a new masonry structure may make you want to clean and care for it every single day. While this is a good mindset to have, you don’t want to overdo it. It is best to wait about a month or so before cleaning the structure at all. This gives the mortar a chance to cure and set completely. If you begin to clean it too early, it can cause joint damage because the mortar will get messed up.

Weather Conditions

It is best to clean your new masonry structure when the weather is warm. Cleaning your structure in the cold weather can actually do a lot more harm than good. If you do need to clean it in the fall or winter, be sure to take the proper precautions. There is an entirely different procedure used to clean masonry when it’s cold versus when it’s warm.

Contact a Professional

If you are unsure of the proper way to clean your new masonry structure, don’t ever hesitate to contact a professional. A professional masonry contractor will have the knowledge and tools required to ensure that your new masonry structure is cleaned and cared for properly.

Contact Del Prete Masonry Today for Your Construction Needs!

Posted in Masonry Construction

Why Masonry Materials are Best for Your Construction Project

Thursday, August 30th, 2018

Whether you want to construct a new building or just a small structure, masonry materials are the best option.

There are many reasons why masonry materials are admired as high quality and high class in the world of construction and architectural design. From its beauty to its structure, these materials go down is history for its use in many famous structures. While it’s true that, depending on the circumstances, it makes sense to use other materials; when appropriate, discover all the benefits of using masonry materials for your construction project.

Strength

The strength of masonry materials only grows as time progresses. Construction projects that are completed with masonry materials are known for being structurally sound, rigid, and dependable for longer than other options. This isn’t just years down the line; decades later you’ll still find masonry structures maintaining the same amount of strength and integrity. This is even true of structures that have withstood damage from natural disasters. The most disaster-resistant homes and buildings have masonry materials to thank for their resilience. When paired with a poured concrete foundation, the durability is unmatched.

Beauty

It’s true that many people have different views and definitions of what beauty is, however, masonry materials are known for their timeless charm. In modern day, the trend leans toward using materials that are the quickest to construct and the cheapest to budget. When those projects are completed, the difference is inevitable. Using masonry materials is an investment into the elegance and refinement of the structure.

Value

It’s often the case that people overlook masonry materials out of fear that they will completely blow their budgets. However, when you think about value, you should consider the larger picture. If you prioritize investing in high-quality materials that are higher priced than other options, that immediately translates into more return for your investment when it’s time to sell. Not only that but because these materials are so dependable, you’ll find that overtime you won’t spend as much in maintenance and upkeep costs. If you invest more in the beginning, you are more likely to see high dividends and bigger savings in the end.

Contact Del Prete Masonry Today for Your Next Masonry Project

Posted in Masonry Construction

Cement, Concrete, and Mortar, Oh My!

Friday, August 17th, 2018

Cement is an element that is contained in both concrete and mortar and is made up of limestone, clay, shells, and silica sand.

When it comes to masonry construction, there are a variety of different materials used in the process. From the actual building materials to the materials used to hold everything together, it can be really confusing. Cement, concrete, and mortar are terms that are often used interchangeably and they all resemble each other. However, they are very different. Here is the difference between cement, concrete, and mortar.

Cement

Cement is actually a component of both concrete and mortar. It is a binding material that is never used alone and is made up of limestone, clay, shells, and silica sand. These materials are crushed, combined with other ingredients, and heated. The final product is then grounded into a powder that is cement. The most common type of cement is Portland cement, which sets and hardens when combined with water.

Concrete

Concrete is a stand alone building material that doesn’t have to be combined with anything else. It is made of cement, sand, and gravel and is used for things like foundation walls, patios, and other masonry structures. Concrete is more versatile than the other two because it starts as a dry mixture and turns into liquid that can mold into any shape before it dries into concrete. The cement in the concrete is what allows it to activate when mixed with water and binds the mixture together to form one object.

Mortar

Similar to concrete, all you have to do is add water to mortar to activate the cement and allow it to harden. However, mortar is only made up of cement and sand. Because of this, it isn’t as strong as concrete so it isn’t often used as a stand alone building material. Instead, it is more so used as a glue to hold masonry materials together such as bricks, block, and stone. There is a special type of mortar known as thinset that can hold together tiles.

Contact Del Prete Masonry Today for Your Construction Project!

Posted in Masonry Construction