So many of the historic brick homes in the Washington DC area display a beautiful exposed brick wall. Some are in need of repair, but in many cases, these old interior brick walls are in good shape and add warmth to your décor. However, to preserve the stunning quality of your brick, you’ll want to […]

If you are the owner of a brick home, you may be tempted to choose “spot tuckpointing” when you see signs of damage on an otherwise solid wall. Homeowners and contractors alike consider it be an inexpensive and quick solution to an immediate problem. Although this practice is prevalent and visible all over Washington DC, […]

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. Thanks to the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS), a free resource is available to guide homeowners in the research of that history. 

When I see an old brick house with crumbling or flaking of the surface of the brick wall, I recognize damage. If the brick wall is part of the main structure of the building, the weakening of mortar can become a severe problem. The integrity of the building may be at stake. Here is what […]

Owners of historic DC brick homes 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 of a historic building’s masonry. 

 Historic neighborhoods in Washington DC are well known for their stately and well-preserved old brick homes. Preservation of those unique architectural and design features is essential to maintaining the value and desirability of the individual dwellings and the neighborhood. In many of DC’s historic sections, an important and visible maintenance chore is brick restoration and repair. 

When I see an old brick house with crumbling or flaking of the surface of the brick wall, I recognize a type of damage known as spalling brick. If the brick wall is part of the main structure of the building, the weakening of mortar can become a severe problem. The integrity of the building […]

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 […]

Every historic home comes with a to-do list of repairs and upgrades. A common challenge to home owners is how to decide which, if any, of the tasks are appropriate for DIY. Even the most handy owners, eager to get started on a project, should consider carefully which tasks are best left to professionals. 

Historic brick homes in DC are known for their unique and stately classic features. However, like their lovely but leaky original windows, many of these features are not as energy efficient as you would like. As a preservationist, you are concerned about compromising their authenticity if you make some upgrades. Fortunately, there are strategies to […]