Masonry is the art of building, maintaining, and repairing stone structures. Since the ancient days of human history, people have been building grand structures made of stones like the Pyramids of Giza, and the Notre Dame of Paris. These are all fine creations that come from the art of masonry. However, masonry isn’t just about building structures. Masonry repair is just as important as building a stone house because as time goes by, the house’s integrity starts to give. Faults and defects will show up across the surface in time. Masonry repair will help you deal with these issues and improve the structure’s overall longevity.
Common Masonry Repair Materials
To understand more about the masonry repair process, it’s a good idea to go through the most common materials in masonry. Although masonry mainly revolves around the use of stone, it has now included other materials such as brick and concrete. Understanding how these materials work will give you an invaluable insight to help you with your masonry repair needs.
Brick
Although stone is probably what springs to mind when someone mentions masonry, brick is arguably the most famous material in masonry repair and construction at the moment. Brick is a durable material made from clay, and it comes in hundreds of different colors, too. Brick is extremely efficient as a material, as it is water-resistant, fire-resistant, and wind-resistant, not to mention very energy efficient. The only downside is that brick tends to be quite heavy so there will be lots of pressure on the foundation of your home. Brick repair is also quite expensive.
Stone
Stone is the material that popularized masonry. Stone buildings are imposing and beautiful, which is why stone is the preferred material for homeowners who care about their house’s appearance. Stone buildings also last for ages if you use the old building techniques. Some modern techniques do not go well with stones, which might create some problems as time passes by. The good news is that stone structures, using the right material and techniques, require almost no maintenance at all. That indicates that masonry repair will be minimal.
Concrete
Concrete is a new material and it is often used in industrial buildings than in residential ones. Concrete can last up to 80 years without any need for replacement. But you will have to repair the joint every 25 years. Concrete is an extremely durable material, and due to its sheer density, its insulation is top-notch. However, this material is not waterproof, so you must also apply a water seal every 10 years, thus increasing the cost for concrete masonry repair.
Each material requires different masonry repair processes, so it’s a good idea that you should let your repair experts know what materials your house is made of. Granted, if the defect is minor, you could handle the repair yourself. But why should you? Our experts at Omega Masonry know what is best for your house. With our years of experience, we will provide you with the best masonry repair services in the area