Old buildings are solidly constructed. They are well built and designed to last centuries. It is important to know if the building was properly maintained and if it was repaired using the proper methods.

Repairing of old homes uses traditional methods and materials that are very different from modern masonry. By hiring a qualified mason with experience in restoration of vintage structures, you can ensure that the repairs are done right the first time, minimizing the need for costly corrections or future repairs.

Leaking gutters and downspouts; rusted lintels; painted masonry; structural cracks; roofside of parapet walls covered completely with roofing material; masonry plastered/parged with hard cement plaster; repointing/repairs done with hard cement mortar; faulty flashings; chimney problems; efflorescence.

Efflorescence is the migration of salt to the surface of a porous material where it forms a coating. It is a powdery deposit on the surface of masonry as a result of loss of moisture when exposed to the air.

Lime mortar is softer than cement mortar. Lime mortar is breathable – it allows moisture to evaporate from the surface and keeps the masonry wall dry. Hard cement mortar is impermeable – it stops evaporation and can cause moisture to be trapped behind it.

No. Repointing means removing mortar from mortar joints (minimum depth of 2 to 2-1/2 times the width of the mortar joint) and installing new mortar in the joints. Tuckpointing means applying new mortar over the existing mortar joints without removing old mortar joints. However, in modern times, the terms “repointing,” “tuckpointing,” and “pointing,” are often used interchangeably.