Our masonry restoration is a work of art.
Masonry restoration is very slow and tedious and really is a work of art. Many people profess to be restoration professionals, but as simple as this trade may seem, there is quite a lot to know and much training that takes place.
Our process:
The process of repointing and rejuvenating masonry is crafted in the following manner.
Preparation & Planning Donovan and his team are professionals in their field with decades of experience under their belts. We know that preparation and planning are part of the overall success of your project. In order to do the best possible job it is important to work from a stable, clean and safe platform. We take the time to properly set up and maintain the work site so that everyone involved in your project is protected. We find that this unwavering commitment to doing things the right way results in jobs being finished on time and on budget.
Safety All work will be executed off of scaffolding, where applicable. To work off of a ladder is not safe and you cannot perform quality work. Any true craftsmen would choose to work off a solid foundation other than a shaky, unreliable ladder.
Joints Preparation Our method of brick or block restoration consists of first cutting the joints back in depth by utilizing a four-inch angle grinder equipped with a diamond or carbide blade. This process cuts down on labour immensely and leaves the brick or block free of damage. The joints will be cut out to the proper dimension to hold a sound tight bond.
Proper mortar mixture The next phase is the process of mixing the mortar will take place. The way mortar is made on site is extremely important. We cannot stress this fact enough.
You may have noticed other mason contractors mixing mortar in a mixer. The majority of the time they will add some amount of cement and shovel after shovel of sand is added to the mixture until the mason feels the mortar looks like it has the right consistency. Please note that we stated some amount of cement and shovel after shovel of sand. The question we would ask you, how can that contractor know that the second shovel of sand has an equal amount of sand as the first shovel, and the third shovel of sand is still the same amount of sand as the first shovel of sand, etc. If they don’t know by measuring precisely the amount they use, how can they achieve equal strength, color, durability, longevity, and basically, a uniform job all the way through? If you add too much cement (mortar), the mortar joints will crack. Too little masonry cement, the mortar will be too soft and wash away. If you add too much sand, the mortar is too weak. Too little sand, the mortar mixture is too strong. I cannot over emphasize the fact of the proper mortar mixture. As you can see, to eliminate the type of problem that you now have, it is really a science in itself of mixing the proper mortar mixture. Much of the longevity of the project will be based on this phase.
Pointing
Next, the very slow tedious task of pointing will be started. The individual crafting the work will have mortar placed on a ten inch by ten-inch plate with a handle attached, which is called a hawk. The mortar is then applied using iron rods, which are called slickers or tuck pointers. Depending on the size of the joints will determine the size of tool we will use. Upon completion of portions of the wall, excess mortar is brushed off.
We take time to educate our clients.
We not only hope to win most of the work we bid on, but we also educate our clients in the process as well, should they decide to choose another contractor. A home is an important investment and for you to have to fix inferior work can be costly and sometimes the damage caused by inferior work is not repairable. Over the years we have built a fine reputation for doing the finest professional restoration available. Our firm has been handling work for clients who truly desire a professional restoration team.
Please contact us today and we will be happy to arrange an appointment to answer all your questions and address your needs.
