Masonry Repairs
Why is it important to use a contractor who specializes in masonry work?
There are a few reasons why you should choose a masonry contractor. First, it’s not uncommon for this kind of work to be outsourced to subcontractors who don’t have the required experience. A general contractor will likely use someone like this, who will almost certainly do a subpar job. If you go with a company that only does masonry work, they’ll have all the necessary skills and equipment to do the job quickly and accurately. It’s also common for those contractors to be able to offer more competitive prices than others, because it’s what they do all day long instead of just part of their business. Finally, if you’re looking for a masonry contractor in particular to handle an upcoming project, it’s easier to find one that specializes in masonry work than it is to find one that specializes in landscaping or plumbing.
How does the temperature affect my masonry?
When it comes to masonry, the elements are every bit as important as the construction process. The temperature, humidity and moisture content of your stone can affect its performance for years to come. Here’s how you can make sure you’re taking care of your masonry properly.
When it comes to making sure that your work stays up long after it’s been built, there are two major factors: temperature and humidity. No matter where you live, there will be fluctuations in temperature from season to season and from day to night, and likewise in humidity from season to season, day to night and location to location. You’ll want to keep these two things in mind as you take care of your masonry; if a piece is too hot or too cold, it could potentially crack prematurely due to thermal stress. Likewise, if a piece is exposed to either high or low humidity for an extended period of time, the moisture content of its mortar joints could change. This is most likely the single largest factor that causes brickwork and stonework problems over time—if the masonry is allowed to “dry” too much or get too wet over time, then it becomes more susceptible to spalling , efflorescence , cracks and general flaking .
Does new masonry need to be sealed?
Masonry, like most things in life, is not all black and white. While it’s commonly assumed that new masonry should always be sealed, this is actually a tricky question for a variety of reasons.
The first, and potentially most important point to consider is whether it’s necessary. New masonry doesn’t need to be sealed until it’s exposed to the elements, which is something that can take a few years to happen. Until then, there’s no reason for you to apply an extra coat of sealant on top of the mortar between the bricks or stones. If you do decide to seal your masonry earlier than that, you’ll simply be spending money on something that doesn’t offer much protection right away and never will.
On the other hand, there are some situations in which sealing new masonry would be beneficial—namely when there’s a high risk of damage during the construction process. If your house has been built on fill dirt instead of solid bedrock (as many have been), there have probably been cracks in your foundation as it settled into its new surroundings. Since water can seep through these cracks and cause damage to your foundation or even the wall itself, sometimes it’s necessary to seal them up before they get any worse.