How To Determine Quality Of Masonry Restoration

Masonry is notorious for being a robust, long-lasting material. Whether your building is made of stone or brick, you can expect it to last for a long time with regular maintenance. However, even the most weather-resistant materials will still begin to degrade over time. One look at historical buildings, for instance, can reveal just how much the color, texture and structure can change due to weather and age leading to the need for masonry restoration.

The good news is that experienced masonry restoration experts can breathe new life into these buildings, whether they are 20 years old or 200. That being said, choosing a reputable contractor is critical. Here’s what you need to know about how to determine the quality of masonry restoration so that you can rest assured your building’s repairs are done correctly and with longevity in mind.

What Constitutes Masonry Restoration?

Masonry restoration is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of tasks, all with the goal of keeping a masonry structure in good repair. The duties included in masonry restoration can include anything from fixing cracks and chips to restoring the color of bricks with pressure washing and carefully selected detergent.

Most often, masonry restoration will focus on a combination of both aesthetic and functional fixes. Ensuring that the weight of the building is bearing down evenly and that the foundation is holding up are two critical jobs that restorers will need to keep in mind.

Identifying Quality Masonry Restoration

Understanding what makes a quality masonry repair will come down to what type of fix is being done. Things to look out for include:

Thorough inspection – Masonry restoration services that create a repair plan for you based only on your description of the problem may not provide the quality that you are looking for. There are many issues that are nuanced and complex, and seeing the damage in person can give valuable insight about not only how to fix the problem, but how to stop it from happening again.

Protecting nearby surfaces – Any quality masonry repair service should not limit its repairs to only the problem at hand. It does no good to fix one section of a brick wall if doing so does not remove the source of the problem. For example, using the wrong kind of mortar on one section can cause a mismatch in the building’s weight distribution. Sure, your cracked mortar will be fixed, but it will be at the cost of the surrounding walls experiencing greater strain and faster deterioration.

Installing future-proof tools – Masonry works as a system, not just as individual bricks or stones. During the repair, a reputable masonry restoration service will ensure that critical elements, like flashings, remain properly installed (or reinstall them if they must be removed). Flashings keep water away from the brick, helping it to last longer.

Participation in relevant groups – The work of a masonry restoration service should speak for itself, but you can also get an idea of the quality of their masonry restoration through their reviews and accreditations. For example, for historic masonry repair, contractors may choose to participate in the Historic Masonry Preservation program to earn a certificate focusing specifically on this type of task.

Active participation – You do not need to be experienced with masonry yourself to participate in the project. In fact, your insight about how the structure is used and what sorts of elements it is exposed to will be critical to enable the masons to make smart decisions about repairs. You can identify quality masonry restoration services by how well the masons listen to you and incorporate your feedback and concerns into their strategy.

In the end, high quality masonry restoration will blend seamlessly into the building without compromising its existing structures. It will future-proof itself against predictable deterioration and tackle any underlying problems to prevent existing issues from occurring again. If needed, this may include the installation of steel and anchorage to bolster support or water management to prevent new damage. If you are considering a masonry restoration service and you see evidence of these practices in previous projects, it is likely that you are in good hands.

Trust the Professionals to Help You Restore Your Masonry

Whether you are in charge of a historic building that has seen better days or a commercial masonry structure that faces significant weather and work forces year after year, masonry restoration is a worthwhile option to consider. The experts at Waterproof Caulking & Restoration can assist with everything from repointing your bricks to keeping damaging water out of your masonry. Reach out to learn more about how we can help or to schedule an appointment to discuss your concerns.