MGH Boston, MA steel lintel replacement & waterproofing
Gilrace Masonry, Inc. preforming on going steel lintel replacement & waterproofing MGH Boston, MA
6000 SF of Historical Restoration at Royal Worcester Apartments building, Worcester, MA
6000 SF of Historical Restoration at Royal Worcester Apartments building. Gilrace Masonry Inc. preformed historical restoration re-pointing, waterproofing & caulking, historical brick replacement, non-chemical cleaning completed summer of 2015. Mixing Specifications, coloring and texture of mortar was approved by Historical landmarks & National Parks Services.
Vault Maintenance repairs & New Sidewalk on Newbury Street Boston
Gilrace Masonry & Waterproofing Inc. is currently working an on-going project since April 2014 on Newbury Street in Boston which consists of extensive Vault Maintenance repairs, removal of Existing Sidewalk and replacement of New Side walk. A total restoration on the front facade of the building is the next phase of this project on Newbury Street, Boston.
Completed historical restoration & waterproofing services on 7 adjoining building on Columbus Ave in Boston
Historical Restoration & Waterproofing on Columbus Ave in Boston
Signs of a Problem
Your building will likely need re-pointing in Boston if you have noticed that your mortar or masonry blocks have begun to crack, fall out or disintegrate. Cracks and missing mortar will allow water to penetrate into the heart of your masonry structure, which can result in the breaking away of interior plaster walls; the rotting of wooden framing, flooring and moldings, and; the deterioration of your bricks and stones through freezing and thawing.
Loosened masonry blocks can be dangerous and present a great liability. Bricks and stones that fall from higher portions of your building can cause serious personal injuries and property damages. While those loosened or fallen from lower portions of the building can affect the stability of the entire structure. If you have noticed any signs of cracking, crumbling, loosening or falling, please contact one of our masonry experts at Gilrace Masonry immediately
Our well-seasoned team will perform your re-pointing in Boston according to exacting industry standards. Gilrace Masonry & Waterproofing Inc. methods have earned an impeccable reputation with business owners throughout Boston.
Zoning and Permitting
One of the most important steps to take as you begin your commercial building restoration and waterproofing in Boston is contacting the appropriate zoning and permitting committees to get your project off the ground. We know how confusing that can be, because there is more than a single committee that oversees building projects in the city. Every project has to be reviewed to ensure that its plans are in compliance with the building zoning codes.
All work preformed on historical building in Boston are reviewed and approval must be sought from the Environmental Department for any structural work being preformed. This process begins with an application to both the building and historical departments in Boston. The request to preform the work on historical building in Boston is approved by the Environmental Department first which can take up to 4 weeks as there are monthly board meeting in order to approve the work.
Violations of zoning and building codes can result in lengthy and expensive delays, harsh fines and even tear-downs of whatever structures were erected without committee approval. This is one aspect of the building process that can not be overlooked. At Gilrace Masonry & Waterproofing Inc, we ensure that building, historical and street permits, police detail if needed are in place prior to the commencement of the project. The organization of the project is an important component to a successful completion of the project.
Gilrace Masonry is preforming brick re-pointing/restoration at Briar Hill Condominium, Malden, MA
Briar Hill Condominium, Malden, MA
The Gilrace masonry team decided to get into the spirit of Halloween today, but only one man followed through!
In this photo aka Paddy is removing the old mortar by using a mechanical grinder, washing the joints of the masonry units out with water, leaving no moist to prevent bricks and stones from absorbing the water in the new mortar as this would weaken the setting mix and lead to inferior results. Paddy then applied the new mortar which is applied in quarter-inch layers, until the joints were completely filled again and restored back to original detail.
Happy Halloween from the Gilrace Team!!!
Gilrace Masonry & Waterproofing Inc. has just completed brick re-pointing and restoration on the Marriott Custom House, 3 McKinley Square in Boston, MA.
Below is some key points to take into consideration when a commercial building or historical home needs re-pointing and restoration services.
The Brick Re-Pointing Process
Once Gilrace Masonry has discovered the recipe for your new mortar, our masonry team will begin your re-pointing project by removing your old mortar. Mortar removal is performed using a combination of hand chisels and mechanical grinders. It is a job that must be done very carefully, in order to avoid causing any unnecessary damage to the bricks and stones on your building. To guarantee that you will receive quality results, you should ask your masonry contractor how they will be removing your old mortar and request to see pictures of their finished works.
Once the old mortar is removed, the joints of the masonry units are washed out with water and left moist to prevent bricks and stones from absorbing the water in the new mortar. This would weaken the setting mix and lead to inferior results. Then the new mortar is applied in quarter-inch layers, until the joints are completely filled again and your home is restored.
Mortar repair
Some contractors have been known to use saws, when removing old mortar, which can lead to unnaturally squared joints and damage to bricks and stones. Do not take anyone’s word about their skill level, without proof. And do not settle for a contractor simply because they have offered you the lowest estimate. Protect your building and your pocketbook and request references along with photographs, before entering into any labor agreement.
If the mortar of your masonry commercial property or home in Boston is beginning to crack and crumble, please feel free to contact Gilrace Masonry and we will send a specialist to your area.
Matching Your Exterior Brick Mortar
Matching Your Mortar
Matching the mortar that was originally used during the construction of your property is vital, because you want to create a seamless finish that allows the re-pointed sections of your building to blend in perfectly with any joints that were not refurbished. Additionally, you want the new mortar to function in the same capacity as the original.
New mortar needs to be as water permeable as the mortar that was originally in place. This means that it needs to be able to draw water away from bricks and stones equally as well as the original mix.
New mortar must be softer than the bricks or stones that it will be supporting. This is so the building will still have the same level of “give” or support as it had when first erected.
If the new mortar is denser and harder than the masonry units that it will be supporting, it will not provide any margin of flexibility, when the building shifts or settles. This will ultimately lead to cracking and crumbling in both the mortar and the masonry units themselves, which can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars of damages that could have been avoided.
Getting the Right Mortar Recipe
Accurate recipes for mortar combinations can be achieved through laboratory analyses, which may sound very complex and over the top. However, they are really quite commonplace in cities, such as Boston, that contain so many historical buildings and districts.
We work with a network of local preservation and conservation specialists to ensure that the work we perform is done with precision and in accordance with the guidelines of contemporary preservation practices. We know that many of the properties that we work on are more than just businesses; they are landmarks, and they are a part of the history of our city.
If you have noticed that the mortar of your commercial masonry building has begun to show signs of aging or disintegration, call our team today and schedule your free on-site consultation and estimate. Our team uses a proven combination of old-fashioned principles and modern technology to produce results that leave our clients both satisfied and amazed.
Our team provides professional masonry repair in Boston. We have extensive experience working with both architects and conservation specialists to ensure that your commercial property is restored properly. And we will take every element of your building’s needs into consideration, before our work begins.
Extensive restoration on a 6,441 sqft Single-Family stone and stucco home, Milton, MA
Gilrace Masonry & Waterproofing Inc, is currently preforming extensive restoration on a 6,441 sqft Single-Family house, Milton, MA which is reminiscent of a rustic stone home.
Re coating all exposed exterior concrete walls and re caulking at rear of Quincy Towers, Oak Street, Boston, MA
This week, Gilrace Masonry & Waterproofing Inc. is currently working on re coating all exposed exterior concrete walls and re caulking at rear of Quincy Towers, Oak Street, Boston, MA. This will prevent concrete from spoiling and crumbling in the future.
Chimney Restoration before & after pictures on Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA
Chimney Restoration Before & After pictures on Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA, August 2013. Gilrace Masonry & Waterproofing Inc. preformed repointing and flashing services to maintain the structure of the chimney and prevent any future water damage. A custom made stainless steel chimney cap was placed on top of the chimney which is both aesthetically appealing and acts as a deterrent for any rodents gaining entry to the chimney
