Planning and preparation is the most important part of the masonry demolition process, and the primary reason you should always use a professional demolition service when you demolish a masonry structure. The masonry demolition planning process includes goal identification, site inspection, inspection analysis and planning, budgeting, and finally acquiring a contract and permits. Masonry demolition is a serious process that poses many health and safety risks, and should only be undertaken by professionals who follow the process below. (more…)
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The Masonry Demolition Planning Process
Friday, March 20th, 2015Importance of Professional Masonry Restoration
Monday, March 16th, 2015
Stone and brick masonry provide for long lasting, structurally sound, and impressive architecture. However, as long lasting as masonry may be, older masonry structures may still need masonry restoration for a number of reasons. The original mortar holding the masonry together may not have been well made, acid rain may have taken a toll, physical weathering, or freak accidents can all damage masonry enough to require masonry restoration. If you own or operate a historic or otherwise venerable masonry structure it’s important that you get professional masonry restoration for your property. Professional masonry restoration can return structural stability, revive your masonries appearance, and protect the historic quality of the structure. Poorly done restoration may devalue the structure, or worse, cause more damage. (more…)
3 Things to Look For in a Commercial Masonry Company
Monday, March 9th, 2015
You’re looking to have some professional masonry work done for your Baltimore business. However, you don’t know what to look for in a commercial masonry company. DelPrete masonry is here with a simple guide to how DelPrete masonry qualifies in all 3 things to look for in a commercial masonry company. Experience to get the job done, professionalism to get it in budget and on time, and a large body of work to prove they can get it done. DelPrete Masonry, has everthing you look for in a commercial masonry company.
Experience
Masonry is more then simple work or construction, it is a craft passed down from masters to apprentices who must undergo years of tutelage to become journeymen and then masters themselves. (more…)
Stonemasonry Signs Send Solid Signals
Monday, March 2nd, 2015
Your Baltimore business has been doing well since it started, and an important anniversary is coming up. Celebrate your business’ anniversary with a stonemasonry business sign. A stonemasonry business sign sends solid signals to your employees, customers, and competitors. A stonemasonry sign tells them you’re strong, smart, and that you’re here to stay.
Stonemasonry Signs Signal Strength
A stonemasonry sign shows your business is strong in a couple of ways. A stone sign shows your employees that you believe in their solid performance. A stone sign shows your customers and investors that you have a strong commitment to quality. And finally, it shows competitors that your company is financially secure enough to afford the expense of a stone sign. The strength your stone masonry sign projects will make your employees and customers confident, and intimidate your business competitors.
Stonemasonry Signs Signal Smarts
Stonemasonry signs signal smarts to employees, customers, business allies, and competitors alike. Your new stonemasonry sign shows your employees your business smarts, as eye catching stonemasonry signage is sure to instill confidence in your customers. Your signage shows your customers and business partners, that you know the importance of branding and making a statement. Finally it shows your competitors your smart, because they know business is an arms race, and that by getting a stonemasonry sign you’ve stepped up your game. They’ll have to get a similar sign or fall behind, and because you got it first your customers will see your competitors getting it as playing catch-up.
Stonemasonry Signs Signal Staying Power
Finally, stonemasonry signs let everyone know that you’re here, and plan to stay. Stonemasonry stands up to the worst of weather, physical wear and tear, and lasts for centuries. Though your stonemasonry sign is expensive to begin with, it will pay for itself over the years because of its lasting power. It needs very little maintenance, is easy and fast to clean, and won’t need to be replaced in your lifetime. A stonemasonry sign will let everyone know your confident of your business, and that you’re not going anywhere but up.
Stonemasonry Signs from Del Prete Masonry
Your sign is one of the first things that people see when they approach your business. Your signs tell customers what kind of business you are. If you want your customers to know that you’re a serious business, dedicated to quality, and are here to stay you need to invest in a stonemasonry sign. But don’t just go to anyone, your stonemasonry should look professional and beautiful. Let Del Prete Masonry help! Please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com to get an estimate for your new commercial stone sign. We’re located out of Phoenix, MD and 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+.
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+.
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+.
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+.
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.
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+.
How to Know If Your Masonry Needs Re-Pointing
Monday, February 2nd, 2015Mortar 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+.
The History of Brick
Friday, January 16th, 2015At 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+.