Masonry Repairs, Cleaning and Restoration

Precision Restoration Co. restores all types of masonry structures such as exterior/interior masonry walls, masonry porches, chimneys, parapet walls, retaining walls.

Our craftsmen take pride in the work they perform and pay close attention to detail. We are experienced with all types of masonry such as brick, block and many different kinds of stone including lannon stone, field stone and cultured stone.

Our craftsmen go the extra step to assure all new mortar matches existing mortar in color, texture and joint style as closely as possible.

The different procedures are as follows:

Power Washing with Only Water

This technique is typically used on hard and soft surfaces such as sandstone, limestone, lannon stone and concrete by controlling the amount of water pressure and using the proper tip. In most cases this technique will remove surface dirt or mildew staining.

Chemical Washing With High-Pressure Water

Sand Blasting With Air Pressure

This technique is typically used on only hard surfaces such as lannon stone, field stone and steel by using a fine-grade sand and high air pressure. In most cases this technique will remove heavy mortar smears, paint, tar, rust, carbon, surface dirt and mildew stains.

Power Washing With Sand Mixture

This technique is typically used on hard and soft surfaces such as sandstone, limestone, lannon stone, field stone, concrete and brick by mixing a fine-grade sand at the tip with controlled water pressure and an amount of sand so when the two hit the targeted surface, it is very soft but effective. In most cases this technique will remove surface dirt, mildew staining, lightly flaking paint, rust and light-to-medium mortar smears.

Tuck pointing (aka "repointing") is the procedure of removing existing deteriorated or cracked mortar between brick, stone or block to a specific depth and applying new mortar.

A rare maintenance task for brick masonry is the repair of mortar joints. The longevity of mortar joints will vary with the exposure conditions and the mortar materials used, but a lifespan of more than twenty-five (25) years is typical. The longevity of brick, however, may well exceed one hundred (100) years. Consequently, occasional repair of mortar joints is expected over the life of brick masonry. It has been observed that the most common reason for repointing brick masonry is to improve water penetration resistance. Repointing deteriorated mortar joints is one of the most effective and permanent ways of decreasing water entry into brickwork. This is because the most common means of water entry into a brick masonry wall is through debonded, cracked or deteriorated mortar joints.

How do I know if I need Repointing?

The most common means of determining areas to be repointed is visual observation in combination with light scraping of the mortar joints using a metal tool.  This procedure can detect cracked, spalled or crumbly mortar joints.

Indications for Repointing:

1. Mortar erosion more than 6mm deep
2. Crumbling mortar
3. Hairline cracks in the mortar
4. Cracks between the brick and mortar

Precision Restoration Co., carefully analyzes each situation to be repointed and assures all defective areas are properly cut back to appropriate depth without damage to adjacent brick, stone or block.

There are many different products available to us for different areas of application.

Precision Restoration Co., carefully analyzes each situation to determine the proper sealant needed for each specific areas.

Common areas to be caulked are exterior perimeters of windows, doors, flashings, movement joints in masonry, vertical control joints and where different products meet.

Windows And Doors

Sealant around windows and doors should be checked every three years. If sealant is cracked or separated from adjoining masonry walls, water can penetrate behind the masonry causing white staining to masonry surfaces (efflorescence) or deterioration of the galvanized wall ties used to hold the masonry to the structure, thus causing the masonry facade to shift or even fall off of the structure, leading to extensive expensive masonry repairs.

Flashings

Sealant of flashing should be checked every three years due to the expansion and contraction of the metal flashing. Flashings are most commonly used above and around dormers, where chimneys meet roof levels, parapet walls, or where different products meet. If the sealant from these areas is cracked or separated from adjoining surfaces, water will enter directly into the structure causing interior damage to wood joists, rafters or drywall, leading to expensive interior repairs.

Movement Joints In Brick Or Concrete

Sealant in vertical or horizontal movement joints should be checked every three years. Vertical movement joints are most commonly used on buildings or walls over forty feet long and are spaced every twenty feet apart allowing for expansion and contraction of the building or earth supporting the building. Horizontal movement joints are most commonly used on buildings with multiple floor levels and are placed on the exterior of each floor level. The importance of sealant in these areas is to keep exterior water from entering into the building and preventing water from entering behind the masonry facade.

Water penetration through porous masonry can cause costly damage that could have been avoided with the application of the proper waterproofing product.

When combined with chlorides or freeze-thaw cycles, water penetration into masonry causes immeasurable interior damage and rapid deterioration of block, concrete, mortar joints and brick. For this reason it is important to use a product that seals out water without sealing in water vapor.

Waterproofing exterior masonry with a clear non-residue sealer known as Alkylalkoxy Silanes in a preparatory blended solvent provides long life to masonry surfaces and prevents water penetration behind masonry.

Please call or e-mail if you would like additional waterproofing product information.