Water is an insidious enemy for homeowners. It can find the smallest entry point and travel throughout your home’s interior to cause significant damage. Often, when the damage becomes visible, it is not a reliable indicator of a leak’s source location. If you’ve ever asked, “Where’s that leak coming from?” – you are not alone. 

Maintaining a historic brick house in DC takes constant attention. Many homeowners consider it a labor of love. There are some useful terms and facts to be aware of as you begin learning about your old brick home.

Many older, historic brick homes in the Washington DC area feature interior brick walls and exteriors. Over time, these brick structures can erode and decay just like outside masonry exposed to weather and the elements. If an exposed brick wall is crumbling inside your home, it’s time for some TLC to preserve the wall structure’s […]

A Wardman-built rowhome is one of the most valuable rowhomes built. A Wardman is more than a remarkable design; these rowhomes used solid building materials and have abundant interior space. Photo credit: dc.urbanturf.com

Tuckpointing is an essential remedy for deteriorated, broken, or missing mortar. It’s a big job but only needs to be done every 25 – 50 years or so if done correctly. If the time has come for your home, there are a few things to know ahead of time. The first thing to know is, […]

If the hardscaping in your urban garden includes large trees, you may also need to watch where you walk. You worked hard to lay bricks and pavement a few summers ago, and perhaps you notice tree and shrub roots invading those spaces. Roots can displace pavers and create uneven walkways that present tripping hazards.

Before you hire a contractor to do any work on your masonry, the first thing to do is schedule a site inspection to get an estimate. The estimator needs to see and sometimes touch the problem areas to determine the scope of work involved. Before or during the site visit, the homeowner can describe any […]

Many folks choose brick exteriors because they’re not only beautiful but also low maintenance. That said, brick homes are not indestructible; they need care to stay in good shape. New owners of old brick homes may not be familiar with brick-and-mortar maintenance and what signs are indicators of trouble. We’re here to help.

Regardless of how much or how little space exists on your front porch, stoop, or front steps, there are various ways to make that space more friendly and inviting for socializing. When it feels safe to do so, do it in style.