When many buildings were still constructed primarily out of brick and stone, masonry was a fairly common trade. These days the proliferation of modern building techniques means that most residential repair contractors don’t have the slightest idea how to repair masonry. It’s important to find an experienced mason to perform brick pointing in Conshohocken, PA and other necessary repairs, as inadequate repair work can lead to further, more serious, issues.
Brick pointing refers to the act of repairing the mortar joints that hold bricks and other masonry elements together. In order to maintain older brick buildings, this maintenance must be done whenever the joints begin to degrade. An experienced mason can use either hand or power tools to remove the aging mortar and replace it with properly mixed fresh mortar. In order to create a uniform appearance the new mortar must have the same composition as the old mortar that was removed.
Typically if one area of a wall requires pointing, there will be other more difficult to detect problem areas as well. A professional mason can provide the property owner with an evaluation and an estimate, but most of the time it makes more sense to point the entire wall. Be sure to check any adjacent joints for signs of mortar degradation as well.
The mortar must be packed tightly in between the bricks or stones in thin layers in order to maintain a seal. Any moisture that is allowed to penetrate between the bricks can cause serious long-term damage, and may even necessitate the complete replacement of the entire wall or structure. When a building of historical, sentimental, or monetary value requires re-pointing any mistake can be disastrous. Unlike more modern structures, historical buildings cannot simply be replaced.
Property owners, and particularly owners of historic buildings, should be sure to find a mason they can trust. Experience performing extensive repairs is an absolute must, as the process often requires more precision and finesse than even the initial construction. Visit the website for more information about one local company that provides professional quality brick pointing in Conshoshocken, PA as well as other valuable maintenance and repair services.
