If your historic brick home is scheduled for mortar repair as soon as winter melts into spring, consider the interior projects that can be completed while you wait. Projects that can be done with the windows closed and don’t involve the removal of walls will satisfy your need to renovate.
From Historic Home to Tuckpointing Work Site and Back
Your gracious historic DC brick home is showing signs of brick and mortar deterioration, and the confirmed remedy is tuckpointing. You have hired a masonry contractor who specializes in historic brick restoration. The contract is signed and the permitting process completed. Here’s what to expect when your historic home becomes a tuckpointing worksite.
What You Should Know About Tuckpointing Brick
If you are the owner of an old brick house in the DC area, you have likely heard of tuckpointing. Also known as repointing, it is the process by which the facades of brick structures are restored and maintained. Even the most savvy owners of historic homes may not know the right way to handle upkeep […]
Who Built Your Historic Brick Home and When?
If you own one of the many historic brick rowhouses in the Washington DC neighborhoods, you are probably curious about who built your home and when. Now you can use a new free resource made available by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS) to research that history.
How to Maintain Brick Walkways
In the historic neighborhoods of Washington DC, brick walkways and steps of homes, in deep reds, oranges and browns, create unique curb appeal for entryways – until they need repair. Bricks that are broken, cracked, buckling or uneven are not only unattractive but also present a safety hazard. Repairs made in the fall will ease […]
Home Owner’s Guide to Brick Chimney Repair
The exposed mortar in many old brick Washington DC chimneys is particularly vulnerable to weather damage. The right mortar joints can last for 25 years or more, but are greatly affected by the weather. If your historic home has a brick chimney, it may need to be repaired before the winter weather hits.
Retrofit Old Windows for Energy Efficiency
“Windows are the eyes of a house.” As the most visible elements of old homes, windows define the character and curb appeal of the buildings. Moreover, they offer clues to the history and architectural integrity of the home. Unfortunately, historic windows are frequently cited as the source of energy loss and owners are encouraged to […]
Is Architectural Salvage a Resource for Your Renovation?
Like most owners of old houses, your renovation plans probably include matching as many of the authentic building parts – doors, flooring, fixtures, and millwork – as possible. It is possible to find reasonably priced, period materials by shopping the salvage market.
How to Tell If Your Old Brick Needs Tuckpointing
If you are the owner of a historic DC brick home, you are probably familiar with the need to maintain the mortar joints of the old brick facades of your home. Tuckpointing, or repointing, is the process by which the joints are restored. New owners may be unsure of how to tell if their brick […]
Hardwood Floor Refinishing In Old Houses
Old houses are known for their many hand-crafted features, like hardwood floors, which give unique character to these buildings. Even though old floors may benefit from higher quality installation and materials than floors in newer houses, they have most likely seen lots of use. Eventually, most old floors begin to look worn, with scratches and […]
