Masonry structures are durable and meant to last for years, but that doesn’t mean that you might not run into the occasional weak spot in the mortar. Not to worry, it is very common to repair masonry structures by repointing these weak spots in the brick joints. If you have been wondering about what happens in this process, here is a brief overview of what it takes to repair brick joints.
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If you have been thinking of installing a masonry structure, then you may have already thought over the materials. And while concrete, limestone, and natural stone all have their benefits, have you considered brick? There are several reasons why brick might be the ideal choice for your masonry project.
Before you start your next masonry project you have to stop and consider, are you using the right type of brick? While all bricks are made using a similar process; a mixture is placed into a mold, and then kiln fired, the differences can be quite dynamic. Most bricks are made from clay, but some are made from a mix of concrete and calcium silicate. There are five main types of bricks which are useful for different situations, today we’ll walk you through these.
Concerned about the signs of wear and tear in your brick masonry? Here are a few things to inspect when taking these steps to preserve the beauty of your home.
Your beautiful brick home may have been in the family for generations. Or you may have bought a fixer-upper with masonry that had a lot of character and potential. However you came to own your home, you may be concerned about the signs of wear and tear in your brick masonry could lead to larger issues in the future. Fortunately, regular inspections and calling a professional for restoration, or even repairs, is a simple way to handle issues like worn, cracked brick and crumbling mortar. Here are a few things to inspect when taking these steps to preserve the beauty of your home.
First impressions are everything when it comes to attracting customers. Quality hardscaping can add a significant amount of curb appeal to your business.
When it comes to expanding your business, improving your branding and overall look is a surefire way to grab a customer’s attention and set yourself apart. A great place to start is using landscaping and hardscaping. Whether you expect to bring clients to visit your business or want to attract the attention of passersby, tap into the latest hardscaping trends to enhance your business’s appearance and create an appealing space for customers and employees alike. Whether you want to have a standout pathway to your front door or construct a patio for outdoor enjoyment, your trusted hardscaping and masonry professional can help. Check out these three simple ways hardscaping can improve your business, from the outside in.
Vertical cracks are one of the more minor brick masonry problems, but if left unfixed, they can lead to bowed bricks and damage to the inner wall.
Brick masonry buildings and structures are made to last for years at a time. However, just like any other materials, your brick masonry will begin to wear and tear over time, especially if the proper care isn’t implemented. You want to fix any masonry problems you have as soon as possible to prevent them from getting any worse. Here are the top four signs of brick masonry problems.
Also known as bulging brick, this is when the bricks in your wall are either caving in or jutting out in certain areas. This occurs because of moisture that has accumulated behind the brick. The moisture can warp the bricks, forcing them to push out or soften the wood behind the brick, causing them to cave in.
This is a common type of wall crack that occurs because of natural expansion of your brick masonry. With vertical cracks, you don’t have to worry about your building’s foundation being majorly affected. However, vertical cracks still allow water in, so it could lead to bowed bricks or damage to the inner wall if it’s left unfixed.
A compacted brick is one of the easiest signs to spot because the shape of the brick will be different than normal. Compacted bricks open a hole in the wall, allowing water to get through. They also will damage more bricks over time because it can’t provide sufficient pressure to the bricks next to it to keep them in place.
If brick masonry begins spalling, this means that the face of the brick is chipping. This is caused by corrosion to the shelf angle that sits behind the brick. The shelf angle is a metal piece that is installed behind a row of bricks in order to distribute the weight of the bricks evenly between the ground and the building. If the angle shelf corrodes, it can lose its strength and cause the weight distribution to become uneven, which can potentially be very dangerous.
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, Google+, and Pinterest.
The mortar joints are what hold brick masonry together, so you want to fix them if you come across any damage!
Do you have old masonry walls or chimneys in need of repair? The crumbling mortar joints of an otherwise beautiful brick wall can make it a real eyesore. But with the right tools and a heaping serving of patience, anyone can learn tuckpointing (or pointing or repointing). If your walls are beyond simple repair and need restoration, follow this guide, and breathe new life into your old masonry.
Before you dive into this project, make sure you have everything that you’ll need to do it right. You’re going to need the mortar mix to replace the old crumbling mortar (be sure to get the right type), and a whisk broom, wall trowel, tuckpointing trowel, and mortar finishing tool. You’ll also need an angle grinder, flat chisel, and hammer for digging out the old stuff. Finally, make sure you have safety equipment: a dust mask, rubber gloves, and safety glasses.
The mortar joints are the most flexible (and weakest) parts of brick work, so they are the most prone to deterioration. Any water and ice that seeps into them and the temperature expansion they experience over the years eventually causes the mortar joints to break down. The first step in repairing the joints is to chip out old mortar with a chisel and hammer, or for really hard spots, the angle grinder (be careful, this heavy duty tool can easily chip the brick). Remove 3/4 to 1 inch of old mortar or enough to get a solid brick base to bond the new mortar.
Next, clean out the new cavities with the whisk broom (compressed air would also work), then mist them with water. Mix your mortar carefully according to the instructions; it should have a stiff but not crumbly consistency. Fill the horizontal joints first and the vertical joints last. Load the prepared mortar onto the brick trowel and push it into the joint cavity ¼ inch thick slivers at a time using the tuckpointing trowel. The work is slow, so mix small batches of mortar so it doesn’t dry out. Finish the joint with the appropriate tool that matches the current joint profile. Finally, clean the bricks with a soft bristle brush to remove any mortar chunks on the brick face.
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, Google+, and Pinterest.
Concrete brick gives you the same classic look of traditional brick with more durability!
When you’re choosing materials for your next construction project, you should make sure that concrete brick is on your list of options. As the brick making industry has evolved, concrete brick has become a standout option thanks to its durability, appearance, and functionality. It offers all of the classic looks of traditional bricks but with significant advances in construction. Today we’ll go over a few of the reasons that concrete brick has become number one.
One of the most significant benefits of concrete brick is that with modern technology, the color and texture can be altered to create almost any appearance. If you choose a colored option, the color is consistent throughout the brick, meaning that in case of chipping after installation, there are no color discrepancies.
The easy construction of concrete brick means that it can be made quickly to order, so tight deadlines can be met quickly. Often times, there is also enough pre-made to allow for immediate pickup and project startup.
Because of the manufacturing process, which allows it to be cured in a form, concrete brick maintains a consistent, uniform size. Not only does this make for a professional, beautifully crafted appearance, but it means that any construction done with a concrete brick will have a consistent, smooth installation. The form allows for both sides of the brick to be used which means you will have less waste.
If you’re looking for strong, durable construction that will last for decades, concrete brick should be at the top of your list. Concrete brick is designed for high strength and will withstand even the most excessive wear and tear. Not to mention, it can’t rot and will be less likely to crack or fracture.
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.
A brick fireplace adds a great look to any home while also keeping it warm and cozy, but you want to make sure you know when it needs repairs!
There is nothing like a beautiful brick fireplace in your home to make things warm and cozy. Fireplaces are great additions to any home and can also add property value. You want to make sure that you take good care of your fireplace to get the best lifespan out of it. Here are four signs that your brick fireplace needs repairs.
You want to thoroughly examine the bricks on your fireplace and look for any white stains or powder. If you do see white dust, this means that efflorescence took place on the masonry. Efflorescence is when moisture accumulates in the masonry and pushes the salt inside of it to the surface. Moisture accumulation can damage your masonry so you want to repair it if you see this sign.
The mortar on your brick fireplace is the white substance between the bricks that holds them all together. If you notice that the mortar seems to be crumbling and falling off the bricks or that you can pick the mortar off with your fingers, this is a sign that your fireplace needs repairs. This could be because of moisture or because the chimney is becoming weak, causing the entire formation to loosen. If you notice crumbling mortar, it’s best not to continue to use the fireplace until it gets fixed.
The firebox is the part of the fireplace where the fuel is combusted. That means that it’s the part that creates the most heat. Because of this, it should never start to rust or become corroded. Cracking and holes in the firebox is a sign of rusting and corrosion which can potentially be very dangerous. You want to repair this as soon as you notice it and take precautions so that no more moisture gets into your brick fireplace.
Spalling is when the masonry materials begin to flake off. If you can flake pieces off of your brick fireplace, that means that there is too much moisture present. If the masonry is spalling, it is best not to use the fireplace because it can be dangerous. Once you notice that your brick fireplace is becoming flaky or any of the above signs, you want to contact a professional to make the necessary repairs.
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.
Brick is a great material for your masonry project and there are so many different types to choose from!
Brick is a great, classic masonry material that can be used for any building or structure. Bricks are very durable and last a long time with little maintenance, but there are multiple types. Here are the five types of bricks so that you can choose which is best for your masonry project.
Burnt clay bricks are made by a mold that is pressed in. The bricks are then dried and fired in a kiln to solidify them. These bricks are typically used for general construction work. They have no special appearance, making them pretty generic. Plastering is required to put these bricks into walls.
A combination of sand, fly ash, and lime are what makes up sand lime bricks. A chemical process is implemented during the mixing of the material and then it’s molded to form the brick. Sand lime bricks are a gray color rather than the typical red, giving your masonry project a unique appearance. Their finish is smoother because it doesn’t require plastering like the burnt clay bricks.
What makes engineering bricks different than others is that they are made at extremely high temperatures. This gives them more strength and density. In addition to this, they are also really good at resisting water and chemicals. These bricks are typically used for a specific or special masonry project because they cost more than regular bricks.
These bricks are made from solid concrete and are commonly used by homebuilders. They give a building a nice aesthetic, often used for fences and facades. They can be made in a variety of different colors and are best used for a masonry project that is focused on visuals and aesthetics.
Clay and fly ash are combined to make this type of brick. They are combined and produced at about 1,000 degrees celsius. These bricks are more cost friendly because they cost less to install and require less mortar. The downside to these bricks is that they can tend to expand when water gets into them..
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