As winter snow covers the city landscape with a soft white blanket to reflect the soft lights of the holiday season, DC brick walkways and steps become a challenge for homeowners. Using salt or other chemical de-icing products to remove ice and snow from brick walkways can damage and stain the bricks, degrade the mortar […]

The exposed mortar in many Washington DC brick 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.

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.

Historic brick row houses are a prominent feature of the Washington DC area’s oldest and most architecturally diverse neighborhoods. These 100-year brick structures link residential blocks with their stately masonry walls and street facades. Owners of historic homes typically find much to admire and much to repair.

When owners of historic brick homes in Alexandria and Washington DC are planning renovations projects, the selection of a thermostat control system is a major decision. This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates four home automation systems that deliver comfort, convenience and energy savings. 

The beauty and charm of historic homes radiate from their unique and stately classic features. However, like the lovely but leaky original windows, many of these features are not as energy efficient as you would like. In fact, the energy bills for a historic home can be somewhat distressing. Fortunately, there are strategies for making […]

Historic homes have a magical look and feel that is unrivaled. The artistry and craftsmanship of a historic home are hard for modern homes to match. Many feature old brick facades, with streetscapes defined by brick walkways and retaining walls. When planning the renovation, those interested in maintaining the historic charm will proceed carefully.

In the historic neighborhoods of Washington DC, brick restoration and repair are essential for preserving the stately old buildings. Well-preserved brick and mortar protects the authenticity of the original architecture and boosts the property values of the homes. Historic neighborhoods are often desirable because of the sense of community pride and quality of life they […]

Because of its longevity and flexibility of design, in Washington, DC, brick has been a material of choice in the building of residential and commercial structures since the colonial period. Genuine clay brick – made from clay and shale – has a documented history of durability and performance. Historically appropriate restoration techniques and materials preserve […]

For owners of many historic homes in Washington DC, brick mortar repair is necessary to maintain the integrity and value of the old structures. Masonry contractors in DC who are specialists in historic masonry use mortar for tuckpointing that is softer and more permeable than the bricks.