Gilrace Masonry is preforming brick re-pointing/restoration at Briar Hill Condominium, Malden, MA

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Briar Hill Condominium, Loomis Street, Boston, 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.

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The Marriott Custom House Boston

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

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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.