When you see deterioration or cracks in your bricks and mortar, it’s never too early to consult a professional. Depending on the scope of your project, an expert in the historic preservation of old..
Read MoreBrick and Mortar Repair: Yesterday and Today
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..
Read MoreShould I Buy the House With a Bulging Brick Wall?
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..
Read MoreICYMI: Where is That Leak Coming From?
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 is..
Read MoreDoes Tuckpointing Make a Mess?
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..
Read MoreThe Damp Realities of Doglegs
In the DC area, homeowners likely know all about "doglegs" built into many historic two to three-story rowhouse homes, which share at least one wall side with their neighbor's house. Doglegs were..
Read MoreRemodel, Renovate, Restore | What's the Difference?
Even contractors sometimes use the terms remodel, renovate, and restore interchangeably, though these terms have entirely different meanings. When working on a home in a historic district, it’s vital..
Read MoreWhen It Rains It Pours: Water Penetration via Failing Brick and Mortar
Stately old homes are a thing of beauty. Historic neighborhoods, like those in Washington DC, boast many brick homes built in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. These homes require specialized..
Read MoreWhen You Can't Do It All: Prioritizing Home Renovations and Repairs
Homeownership is a big responsibility. One constant that all homeowners face is the need for ongoing maintenance. Any homeowner will tell you there is always something that needs doing; repairs,..
Read MoreThe High Cost of Deferred Maintenance
“Why do today what can be put off until tomorrow?” This tongue-in-cheek adage describes many homeowners’ attitudes toward dealing with home maintenance and repairs. Maintenance costs money, and it's..
Read MoreHistoric Buildings
Don’t Take Care of Themselves
Maintaining centuries-old structures requires traditional methods and materials … and that means you may not know the right way to handle upkeep of your historic building’s masonry. There’s so much more to tuckpointing than replacing mortar.
Sign up now for tips and tricks to help you understand how to preserve your historic home or building and maintain its architectural integrity far into the future.