Historic Preservation

When the temperature drops and the scent of wood smoke fills the air, few things feel more inviting than a fire crackling inside a historic D.C. home. Before you strike that first match of the season, though, it’s wise to take a closer look at your fireplace. Months of humidity, rain, and temperature swings can […]

As the holidays approach, you’re probably thinking about stringing lights, hanging wreaths, and tidying up your home for guests. Before you start decorating for the holidays, though, take a moment to look a little closer at the brick and mortar that hold your home together. The same walls and walkways that have been proudly standing […]

​ As the air cools and leaves begin to fall, Washington D.C. homeowners know it’s time to prepare for winter. You may be focused on your yard, but don’t overlook the brickwork! A professional fall masonry inspection is one of the most important steps you can take to spot minor problems early and avoid major […]

As you’re raking leaves and cleaning gutters this fall, it’s easy to overlook the highest point of your historic D.C. home: the chimney. But after a summer of rain and humidity, this exposed brickwork is often the first place winter finds a way in. A quick chimney inspection now can prevent costly water damage and […]

When autumn settles over Washington, D.C., the city’s historic neighborhoods fill with color. It’s a beautiful season, but those falling leaves can create real problems for homeowners. If your home’s gutters are packed with leaves and debris, rainwater has nowhere to go. Instead of flowing safely through downspouts, it spills over the edges and runs […]

When the air starts to cool and leaves begin to scatter across Washington, D.C., you’re likely to be focused on raking, cleaning gutters, and readying your landscaping for winter. What you may not be thinking about when you put together your fall home maintenance to-do list, though, is the brickwork holding up your historic home […]

Living in a historic D.C. home means being a steward of its story. But after a long, humid summer, you might notice that story starting to fray in the details; a crumbling mortar joint on the front stoop or a new crack in the garden wall. Before winter arrives, autumn offers the perfect window to […]

In Washington, D.C.’s historic neighborhoods, even the fence plays a role in telling a home’s story. From a wrought iron gate framing a Capitol Hill rowhouse to a wooden privacy fence softening a Georgetown garden, the choice of material makes a lasting impression. Homeowners comparing wood fencing and iron gates should consider aesthetics, upkeep, and durability, […]

In the historic neighborhoods of the nation’s capital, charm often starts right at the front gate. From wrought-iron railings on a stoop in Capitol Hill to an ornate arched entryway in Georgetown, these details are part of the city’s rich architectural heritage. When they start to fall into disrepair, that heritage begins to slowly fade […]

If you live in one of DC’s historic neighborhoods, chances are your backyard has a slope, a drainage issue, a retaining wall, or maybe all three! These walls often go unnoticed until there’s a problem. A little bow in the brick. A crack that wasn’t there last year. Suddenly, something purely functional is demanding your […]