A Comprehensive Guide to Fix, Educate, and Remediate

by AlandMel | Aug 25, 2023 | Brick Repair, Dallas Fort Worth Area

Introduction:

Brick is an evergreen material for construction worldwide due to its durability, classic look, and high value. However, as time passes, bricks can experience various issues, such as chipping, cracking, and fading. Thus, the need for brick repair arises. Brick repair includes cleaning, sealing, and replacing damaged bricks. In this article, we will explore how to repair bricks, how to educate yourself on brick maintenance, and how to remediate possible issues.

Fixing:

Fixing bricks requires a few simple steps. Firstly, cleaning the bricks is essential. Use mild cleaners to remove dirt and other elements that can stain the bricks. Next, replace any damaged bricks to prevent further damage. Suppose you notice wear and tear in the bricks, such as cracks, chips, or holes. Use masonry drills and chisels to remove the damaged bricks and replace them with new ones. And a color matched mortar for repointing.

Educating:

A smart homeowner always educates themselves in various maintenance tasks concerning their home, including bricks. Educating yourself in brick maintenance includes knowing how to prevent issues and the signs of when to hire professionals. To prevent brick issues, regularly clean your bricks with mild cleansers and avoid high-pressure washing. Furthermore, pay attention to the signs of when you need to call professionals, such as large-area damage or any mysterious moisture buildup.

Remediation:

If you don’t correctly remediate any brick issues, you can worsen the problem. The most common issue homeowners face is moisture. Moisture buildup in bricks can lead to considerable damage. That’s why it’s essential to remediate harvest rebricking and re-pointing. Harvest rebricking includes replacing the source of moisture by installing proper flashing. Re-pointing involves being on the lookout for any cracks or gaps in the mortar. These gaps can allow moisture inside and severely damage the bricks.

Protecting:

Preventative measures are crucial for the long-term protection of your bricks. A common method of protection is brick sealing. Sealing bricks prevents moisture and other contaminants from harming them, protecting the bricks under various weather conditions. For this, choose a high-quality sealer and use thin layers, applying them in both horizontal and vertical layers to ensure full coverage.

Conclusion:

In summary, brick repair is crucial to the longevity of your home’s bricks. Maintaining and protecting your bricks can save you money in the long term. Brick repair includes fixing, educating, remediation, and protecting your bricks. With this comprehensive guide, you can now protect and maintain your home’s most basic yet most critical material – bricks.

The No.1 Rule in Historical Masonry Restoration is always expect the unexpected…..

by Gillian Lancaster | Jul 29, 2023 | Dallas Fort Worth Area, Historic Restoration

Expecting the Unexpected in Historical Masonry Restoration: The No.1 Rule

Introduction:

Historical masonry buildings are an important part of our architectural heritage and need to be preserved for future generations to appreciate. However, when it comes to restoring these structures, there is one rule that always holds true: expect the unexpected. From hidden construction flaws to unforeseen structural damage, there are countless surprises that can arise during a restoration project. As structural engineers and architects, it is essential to be well-prepared and well-informed to minimize the risks of these surprises and ensure the success of historical masonry restoration projects.

Be Thorough in Your Inspection

Before diving into a restoration project, it is crucial to conduct a thorough investigation of the historical masonry structure to identify any underlying issues and potential challenges. This includes assessing the overall construction, analyzing the material properties, evaluating the foundation, and examining the condition of the walls, roofs, and other key architectural features. By conducting a comprehensive inspection, you can better understand the building’s unique history, design, and structural integrity, allowing you to prepare for any surprises that may come your way.

Establish a Clear Plan of Action

Once you have conducted a thorough inspection, the next step is to develop a clear plan of action that outlines the scope of the restoration project, timelines, and budget. This plan should include details such as the type of materials to be used, the approach to restore the building’s structural integrity, and the necessary permits required for the project. Having a clear plan of action provides a roadmap for the restoration process, reduces the likelihood of unexpected challenges, and ensures that all stakeholders are on the same page.

Be Prepared to Adapt and Revise the Plan

As the restoration process unfolds, it is common to encounter unexpected challenges or complications that require adjustments to the plan of action. It is essential to be flexible and adapt to these changing circumstances to avoid costly delays or safety issues. For example, if a hidden structural issue is discovered during the restoration process, the approach to restoring the structure’s integrity may need to be revised. By being prepared to adapt and revise the plan, you can ensure that the project stays on track and is completed successfully.

Work with an Experienced Professional Team

Perhaps the most critical factor in a successful historical masonry restoration project is working with an experienced and qualified team of professionals. This includes structural engineers, architects, contractors, and historical experts who have a deep understanding of masonry construction and restoration. They can help you identify potential challenges from the outset, develop a comprehensive plan of action, and implement practical solutions that ensure the restoration project is completed safely and meets the necessary regulatory and compliance standards.

Recognize the Historical Significance of the Project

Finally, it is essential to recognize the historical significance of the restoration project and the value in preserving the building for future generations. Historical masonry structures often have a unique story that calls for a respectful approach to the restoration process. This involves working with historic preservationists, experts in the building’s architectural style, and other stakeholders who are invested in the project’s success. By recognizing and respecting the historical significance of the project, you can approach the restoration process with care and sensitivity.

Conclusion:

Historical masonry restoration requires a combination of technical expertise, careful planning, and a reverence for the historical significance of the project. The No.1 rule for success in these projects is to expect the unexpected and be prepared to adapt when needed. By conducting a comprehensive inspection, developing a clear plan of action, working with an experienced professional team, and respecting the building’s history, you can ensure that these treasures of our architectural heritage are preserved for future generations to enjoy. As structural engineers , architects, and consultants it is our responsibility to approach these projects with care, attention to detail and reverence for the building’s rich history.

Brick Repair

by Al | Apr 27, 2022 | Brick Repair, Dallas Fort Worth Area, Historic Restoration, Leaning brickwork, Lintel Repair, McKinney

Brick repair means properly maintaining your home’s foundation. This assists in the prevention of cracks in the structure of your home, both internally and externally. My primary concern is in dealing with cracks which appear on the exterior of your home in the brickwork.

Specialized Masonry Restoration of McKinney, Texas, has been involved in the restoration and repair of many different types of masonry structures, both large and small. Some of the major problems we encounter include deteriorated mortar joints and cracked bricks or mortar. Typical repairs for these common problems include repointing deteriorated and cracked mortar joints and removal and replacement of cracked or distressed brickwork.

Whether or not you have just had your building foundation repaired, it is imperative that any defective brickwork be repaired to prevent moisture penetration, a major cause of mold and mildew.

It is especially important to prevent access to the interior by insects and also by rodents and reptiles that will seek warm, damp places to reside. The repair of such damage is of major importance to your well-being and your long-term investment in your property.

In additional common problem comes from moisture saturation, which is usually caused by severe weather, incorrectly-placed sprinkler systems, or defective guttering. These combinations can further aggravate, if not be the cause of, existing problems.

MAINTENANCE & PREVENTATIVE METHODS SPRINKLERS

Check to ensure that your sprinklers are positioned appropriately. It is important that you are watering only your plants and not your home. If you do find areas where this is occurring, then adjust your sprinklers as necessary or have your landscape or irrigation contractor adjust the sprinkler heads. If at all possible, we suggest using soaker hoses on planting beds in close proximity to the house.

GUTTERING

After a heavy rain has passed, check your walls visually to see if any areas of brick work are saturated. This is a good indication of your gutters being in need of maintenance.

It is important to keep guttering clear of debris which can come from either leaves falling from trees or wear and tear on the shingles which deposits silt into the guttering and will eventually create clogged areas. Over a period of time, the sealant used between the joints during the fabrication of guttering can deteriorate, allowing the gutter to drip moisture onto the brickwork.

CAULKING

Windows around your property should be inspected periodically for cracks, separation, or wear and tear. When defects are noted it is recommended that new caulking be applied. The best time to apply caulk is during dry weather when the outdoor temperature is above 45 ï¿½ Fahrenheit. According to the researchers at Michigan State University, the money you spend on caulking or weatherstripping is usually recovered in one heating season or less.

REPAIRING CRACKED BRICKS AND MORTAR

SMR utilizes a revolutionary technique developed in Europe, using the latest patented technology to make precision cuts in brick work — Precision which is impossible to achieve using traditional methods.

The tool we use provides for an almost dust-free environment, which is welcomed by the customer as it keeps debris to a minimum, and also provides a healthier, safer work environment for the operator. Using this tool, we are able to quickly and economically repair the damaged area and achieve the aesthetic look the customer desires. Using our system we have effectively obsoleted the old-fashioned, time-consuming method of using a hammer and chisel or large grinder to take the bricks out.

There are many times when SMR is called upon to assist engineers and foundation repair companies to go beyond the normal scope of work practiced by builders. When a foundation is being lifted, isolated areas of affected brick often need to be cut out to allow the foundation to be leveled. What this requires is a coordinated effort in repairing the home to prevent further damage being done to the brickwork. When reinstating brickwork, it is important that the color be matched as close as commercially possible.

HOW TO LOCATE A QUALIFIED MASONRY SPECIALIST

A good source of information is the Foundation Repair Association, Dallas Chapter. Members, most especially Jim Dutton of Du-West Foundation Repair and Tom Witherspoon of S&W Foundation Repair will recommend the most qualified masonry repair specialists available.
A good masonry repair specialist should provide references on work they have completed in the past 3 to 5 years.
Make sure the company has general liability insurance.
Check the company you are planning to use with The Better Business Bureau to ensure there are no unresolved complaints against it.
Get two competitive bids, but remember that cheaper isn’t always better

Brick repair is essential to preserving the value of your home.

Cracked and damaged brickwork

by Al | Apr 18, 2022 | Brick Repair, Dallas Fort Worth Area, Historic Restoration, Leaning brickwork

These columns had cracked and damaged brickwork caused by expanding corroded steel, embedded in the brick work above the entryway to the church. A small piece fell down on a member of the congregation, which alerted the church to the danger.

We were able to take the columns down successfully, and rebuild them, allowing the entryway to be used safely again.

If you have cracked and damaged brickwork, it needs to be stabilized. Specialized Masonry Restoration, McKinney, Texas, are experts at installing specialized wall anchors that stabilize brick.

Have you checked your building for cracked and damaged brickwork lately?

Historic Restoration in Bonham Texas

by Al | Mar 23, 2022 | Bonham, Dallas Fort Worth Area, Historic Restoration, Leaning brickwork

Historic restoration in Bonham? Alan Pettingale’s business card says it all: “A brick building only has one life.” That is especially true of historic buildings that achieve iconic status in local communities. “When you lose one of those, you lose heritage,” says Pettingale. “You are not going to be able to put that backup.” Fittingly enough, Pettingale was sharing his expertise at an informal meeting held at Texcel Exploration, located in a historic building on the south side of the Bonham Square that has been restored by David and Teresa Stapp.

There is an art to properly repairing historic masonry structures and Pettingale is something of an artist. For more than 30 years, he has been designing and implementing a wide range of masonry stabilization and restoration strategies.

Maintaining historic downtowns requires a somewhat unique skill set — unique in Texas, anyway. Pettingale is from England, where the art of remedial masonry stabilization has been practiced for centuries. The oldest structure he has worked on was the York Wall in Yorkshire built almost 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Examples of Pettingale’s masonry expertise in North Texas include Heard-Craig House in McKinney and First Christian Church in Bonham.

So, what does a masonry expert with a deep appreciation for historic structures notice first when he looks at downtown Bonham?

I’m concerned when I walk around the square and see the exposed walls,” Pettingale states, referring to flank walls that were never meant to be exposed to the elements.

If one building collapses, it exposes two flank walls.

People think, ‘Ah, I’ll just slap a bit of mortar on it,’ but it is a bit more complicated than that,” says Pettingale.

To understand how these buildings can be stabilized, it requires a working knowledge of how they were put together in the first place. Concrete wasn’t readily available until the late 1800s, therefore a lime-based mortar, similar to the mortar used extensively by the Romans, is commonly found in Texas structures built 1850-1880. Lime-based mortar, while not as hard as Portland cement, has important characteristics that provide advantages when working with natural stone and other softer building materials often found in historic structures.

Pettingale has been applying his knowledge of historic masonry restoration, when called upon, for the past 14 years in Bonham. Most recently, he has been offering advice as City of Bonham officials and concerned building owners consider devising a comprehensive plan that would ensure public safety in a high-traffic area dominated by historic structures. Locals remember the building that fell 36 hours before a crowd would have been gathered in that exact location during Heritage Day Celebration in 2013.

When one building becomes unstable or actually falls, it can have a detrimental effect on the surrounding buildings.

“When these structures are all intact and tight, they all support each other,” explained Pettingale. “Basically, we are working with a set of dominoes.”

Since the structures are all dependent on each other, it is important to educate owners of the buildings regarding what should be a common goal to preserve their investment and protect the public. A consensus is growing to form a Downtown Bonham Association to address this concern.

“Once the owners of buildings on the square understand the significance of a sound and reasonable project such as this, an effect will be caused to produce a movement that is vital to the preservation of the heritage of Bonham,” David Stapp predicted.

“I think this is a project that should be explored if it will preserve and implement safety to the historical buildings on the square,” added Teresa Stapp.

As this discussion gains momentum, look for Bonham City Council to consider tools at its disposal to ensure public safety.

Pettingale says it is fairly easy to spot any one of a handful of telltale signs that indicate a deteriorating historic masonry structure presents a danger to the public. With the advent of high resolution aerial photography, documenting that danger is relatively easy. Pettingale offered to work with a local engineering student who wants to specialize in remedial masonry stabilization.

Historic restoration in Bonham? “They could use me as a resource,” remarked Pettingale.

Dropped and bowing brickwork cracked above my garage door

by Al | Mar 23, 2022 | Brick Repair, Dallas Fort Worth Area, Lintel Repair, McKinney

If you have dropped and bowing brickwork above your garage door, in all likelihood your lintel needs to be replaced. A lintel is the horizontal support above door openings and windows. If installed too short, the weight of the brick or stone will force the lintel to bow, which can lead to collapse. Because it is steel, it can rust severely over the years. This causes a structural defect which create cracks around door/window/garage openings due to the expansion of the rust.D

Do you have dropped and bowing brickwork cracked above your garage door? If so, contact Specialized Masonry Restoration of McKinney, Texas for help.

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