WE ARE SKILLED MASONRY TRADESMEN SERVING WESTERN PA.

BRICK & BLOCK WORK

Bricks and blocks are components of durable masonry construction, in which uniformly shaped individual units are laid in courses with mortar as the bed and binding material. They usually consist of high-mass materials with good compressive strength, formed into units that can be lifted and handled by a single worker. Materials used in masonry construction include brick, concrete and stone, or newer materials such as manufactured stone, timbercrete and glass.

Brickwork is usually left exposed for its aesthetic qualities and blockwork is usually rendered, but most bricks and blocks can be used as facing materials or given a render coating.

CRACKS, SETTLEMENT, LEAKS

Foundation settlement cracks appear on the cinderblocks and brick of a house when the footing is settling. Diagonal cracks, aka stair-step cracks, indicate that the foundation could be sinking. But maybe not!

Properly diagnosing a foundation settlement issue is critical to preventing further damage, without breaking the bank. Cracked bricks either mean the foundation is shifting or could be caused by a swollen lintel. If foundation repairs were installed in an area where the cracks were caused by the metal of a lintel swelling, the problem would not be fixed and the whole expense would have been a waste.

CUSTOM MASONRY

Masonry is commonly used for walls and buildings, but when your masonry project calls for a completely custom masonry build, we've got you covered from the ground up. Brick and concrete block are the most common types of masonry in use in industrialized nations and may be either load-bearing or non-load-bearing.

Concrete blocks, especially those with hollow cores, offer various possibilities in masonry construction. They generally provide great compressive strength and are best suited to structures with light transverse loading when the cores remain unfilled.

MASONRY CLEANING, REPAIR, AND MAINTENANCE

Brick is a material built to last, but it still calls for some maintenance. While some cases are better left for the professionals, there are many ways for homeowners to maintain and prevent further damage to brick. These simple maintenance tips will help keep your brick, and your house, looking brand new.

Brick is relatively maintenance free, but occasional cleaning, spot checks for water damage, and repointing are necessary in order to ensure long-lasting structural integrity. The least aggressive approach should be your first plan of action when it comes to cleaning brick

MORTAR ANALYSIS & MATCHING

A detailed understanding of existing mortars is essential in informing and assisting the specification of replacement or repair materials in historic buildings. It can also contribute to understanding a building's construction history. Mortar analysis is often required for listed buildings consent.

The color of the grains of sand makes a huge difference in mortar color once the actual cement paste wears away.

CHIMNEY REPOINTING

The chimney is constructed with motor joints to keep the structure in place. As years go by, the mortar joints can begin to decay and create voids in areas of your chimney such as in between the bricks. This is typically the result of exposure to the elements.

If your chimney’s brick are in good shape, repointing might be the best option for you. This option helps repair the appearance, as well as, the structure of your chimney. It also prevents further damage and moisture from entering between the bricks. This is what can ultimately lead to your chimney experiencing major structural damage to the point where it needs rebuilding.