Part of the appeal of owning a historic brick home is brick's resilience through weather and years. That said, it does require attentive care and maintenance. Keeping it in good shape is essential..

Brick and mortar as building materials have been around for centuries. Mortar is a mixture of sand, cement, and water and is the binding agent that keeps brickwork together. Brick and mortar as..

Ever since you saw that gorgeous old two-story brick home, you’ve been anxious to buy it. It’s a charming historic Washington DC row house in a beautiful, walkable neighborhood. But now you've..

Water is an insidious enemy for homeowners. It can find the smallest entry point and travel throughout your home’s interior to cause significant damage. Often, when the damage becomes visible, it..

Many older, historic brick homes in the Washington DC area feature interior brick walls and exteriors. Over time, these brick structures can erode and decay just like outside masonry exposed to..

Tuckpointing is an essential remedy for deteriorated, broken, or missing mortar. It’s a big job but only needs to be done every 25 - 50 years or so if done correctly. If the time has come for your..

If the hardscaping in your urban garden includes large trees, you may also need to watch where you walk. You worked hard to lay bricks and pavement a few summers ago, and perhaps you notice tree..

Regardless of how much or how little space exists on your front porch, stoop, or front steps, there are various ways to make that space more friendly and inviting for socializing. When it feels..

Brick homes can be refreshed and beautifully transformed with the right paint job. Following a few helpful color scheme guidelines can assure a gratifying result.

If you own a rowhouse or other historic home in DC, there's a good chance your home has a retaining wall along at least one border of the property. At some point, that retaining wall will likely..