Our Services
Chimney Restoration
Repointing a chimney normally preserves it for years to come. When there is excessive deterioration, portions of the chimney may need to be relayed. We clean and reuse existing brick and relay them to the original dimensions. We also provide photographs along with a quote explaining the necessary measures to address the situation.
Mortar Joint Preparation
Mortar joints should be removed to a depth of two times the width of the joint in the masonry unit. If there is deteriorated mortar beyond this point, it should be removed also. This removal process creates an adequate bonding surface to prevent mortar pop-outs as a result of insufficient preparation. A repair must be more than cosmetic.
Sand
Due to costly transportation, local sand was used in historic buildings with close-by washed river sand being the most common. We use washed river sand when required for historical restoration.
As mortar weathers, the sand becomes increasingly exposed revealing its primary color. To achieve the initial color, we tint the mortar mix with dyes and provide mortar samples for an owner’s approval before commencement of a project.
Finishing Mortar Joints
A properly compressed mortar joint seals the mortar to the masonry unit, avoiding micro-fissures that pull water into the joint by osmosis which causes rapid mortar deterioration from freeze-thaw cycles. We use a technique that leaves the joint with a slightly weathered finish in order to match the remaining mortar joints in the surrounding area.
Lime Mortar for Historical Chimneys
Historians consider lime mortar to be the most important material used in historical masonry restoration. Lime mortars are permeable, enabling them to expel moisture. Lime mortar better complements handmade historical bricks because they are softer than factory brick.
For example, pound-force per square inch (psi) of lime mortar is usually around 350 while a standard type N cement, the softest cement mortar, is around 750 psi. For most handmade brick, this stronger cement mortar is too hard and does not adjust for differential movement between brick structures, chimneys or walls.
Cement Mortar Removal
Once cement mortars have been inappropriately used, they are extremely difficult to remove because of their hardness in comparison to handmade brick. Since power tools can lead into brick too easily, we take precautions to preserve handmade brick even when cement mortars have been applied.
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