In the season of ice and snow, DC brick walkways and steps become a challenge for homeowners. The problems is that salt or other chemical de-icing products should not be used to remove ice and snow from brick walkways. These products can damage and stain the bricks, degrade the mortar joints and harm any nearby vegetation. […]
Brick Repair
How to Safely Remove Ice and Snow From Brick Walkways
In the season of ice and snow, DC brick walkways and steps become a challenge for homeowners. The problems is that salt or other chemical de-icing products should not be used to remove ice and snow from brick walkways. These products can damage and stain the bricks, degrade the mortar joints and harm any nearby vegetation. […]
Fall is the Right Time to Inspect Your Brick Chimney
If your historic home has a brick chimney, fall is a good time to have it inspected. The exposed mortar in many Washington DC old brick chimneys is particularly vulnerable to weather damage. Although the right mortar joints can last for 25 years or more, your brick chimney may need to be repaired before the winter weather hits.
What Should I Know About Water Damage to Old Brick?
As a preservationist I love the enduring exterior brickwork of the Washington DC area’s 100-year-old brick homes. The rich sense of history conveyed by these historic buildings is irreplaceable. According to experts, the durability of the brick and masonry facades depends primarily on its resistance to water penetration.
Inspect Your Old Brick Chimney Before You Need to Use It
If your historic home has a brick chimney, fall is a good time to have it inspected. The exposed mortar in many Washington DC old brick chimneys is particularly vulnerable to weather damage. Although the right mortar joints can last for 25 years or more, your brick chimney may need to be repaired before the winter weather hits.
Can Ivy Damage the Old Brick on Your Home?
Do you have ivy growing on the walls of your brick home? It can certainly look beautiful, particularly during the warm months when the ivy blooms. It adds a thick green texture to the wall and gives your home a woodsy feel. However, some types of ivy can be destructive for historic DC brick homes. […]
It’s Beautiful, But There Are More Benefits of Brick
Those stately brick homes that characterize the historic neighborhoods of DC are hard to ignore. They have a very unique charm to them that adds to the desirability of the community. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but there are also many other benefits that are often overlooked.
Do You See Bubbling on Your Interior Plaster Walls?
The stately historic brick homes in most DC neighborhoods were constructed with relatively soft, porous bricks and limestone mortar. Many of the interiors were covered with lime plaster. Occasionally these plastered walls, spackled and repainted during a renovation, show signs of bubbling. This is often caused by water damage to the exterior brick and mortar.
How to Find the Best Masonry Contractor for Old Brick
Does your exterior brick inspection reveal signs of weather wear and other types of deterioration? Spring is the right time to get some expert advice. Historic DC homes require a particular expertise for brick restoration and mortar repair. You will need to find a masonry contractor in DC who has the appropriate expertise.
Clean Your Old Brick Facades With Care
Brick and masonry might be among the longest-lasting, most weatherproof building elements, but old brick buildings still require maintenance and repair. To ensure long-lasting structural integrity, homeowners should regularly check for water damage, conduct periodic cleaning, and have masonry joints repointed when necessary.
