You need tuckpointing when the mortar between your bricks is cracking, crumbling, receding, or missing in places, generally once it’s degraded enough that you can scratch it out with a fingernail or a key. Small hairline cracks can often wait a season or two, but mortar that’s soft, powdery, or visibly gone in sections should […]
How Do I Know If/When I Need Tuckpointing? Read More »
The right mortar for repointing depends on what you’re matching: use Type N or Type S (Portland-based) mortar for standard modern brick, and use a natural hydraulic lime (NHL) or lime-based mortar for older brick, fieldstone, or sandstone, especially on homes built before the 1930s. The goal is always to match the mortar’s hardness and
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Spring in Calgary has a knack for uncovering what was hidden beneath the frost. As the ground thaws, the snow disappears, and the fine cracks in the foundation that were barely noticeable in the fall are now quite evident. Perhaps a small piece of the parging has peeled away near a window well. Or perhaps
Calgary Parging: How to Protect Your Foundation from Freeze-Thaw Damage Read More »
Understanding Chimney Crowns and Their Importance People who have chimneys from time to time may need the crown of the chimney repaired. The crown of the chimney is essentially a roof for your chimney, and it can be damaged because it was installed at the wrong angle, is too flat, or the flue has caused
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Masonry construction stands as a traditional construction method that humans have utilized for numerous centuries. Humans began domesticating animals and building permanent shelters for them, and masonry provided the needed protection during this period. Masonry continues to be widely used throughout the world, even though it was first developed in ancient times before the computer
Masonry Construction Technique: History and Modern Uses Read More »
A candid conversation about stone masonry in Calgary with Astrit Martinaj. We answer frequent questions we get with clients while on-site visits/estimates, in our website form fills Calgarians: Hey Astrit, we keep hearing about natural stone vs manufactured stone. Are natural stones actually natural, or is that just marketing?Astrit: Great question! Yeah, natural stones are
Masonry 101: Q&A w/ Calgary Stone Expert Astrit Martinaj Read More »
Key Points: Understanding Masonry Contractors and Their Role Hiring a masonry contractor could contribute to your construction project’s success or failure. Whether your project entails building a new house, building a fireplace, building an outdoor living space, or making any addition with masonry work, you want to make sure that you hire masonry work done
Tips to Hire a Masonry Contractor in Southern Alberta Read More »
When homeowners think about renovating their homes to upgrade their interior or exterior, the selection of materials can either make or break a project. There are many choices from which to choose, but the natural stone remains one of the most interesting, and undoubtedly the most exceptional when looking for beauty and long-term value unmatchable
The Complete Guide to Natural Stone Benefits: Why This Material Transforms Your Property Read More »
The Importance of Chimney Repairs The chimney plays two primary roles: it removes smoke and flue gases from the furnace, and it creates “draft” that enhances the fire. The draft is the suction created as hot air rises, creating a vacuum in the firebox. This vacuum works to pull fresh air into the firebox, allowing
Everything You Need to Know About Chimney Repair and Maintenance Read More »
Choosing Stucco Colors and Textures When you begin to consider ways that you can refresh your home’s appearance, stucco is going to be high on the list. This incredibly adaptable material has been changing homes for years, and frankly, it’s easy to understand why. From understated earthy colors to colorful statement choices, stucco offers a
Choosing the Perfect Stucco Colors and Textures for Your Home Read More »
