Bricks hold a significant place in history. You can spot them in historical locations, both in buildings and in roadways, and create recognizable facades. In order to keep the building looking beautiful, as well as to ensure the structural integrity, masonry restoration projects are required.
The earliest bricks were made by forming clay or mud and drying them in the sun until they were strong enough to use. The oldest discovered bricks were found in the Middle East and South Asia, dating back from before 7500 BC. In China, the earliest use of bricks can be dated to around4400 BC, and in Europe the Ancient Greeks and Romans used bricks in building large structures.
Bricks were used on a massive scale during the Industrial Revolution, as factories quickly rose around England. They were the preferred building material for economic reasons, as well as for the speed of production and construction. That notable bright red coloring was chosen in London to help buildings be more visible in the notoriously heavy fog.
As surfaces age, they deteriorate naturally. Aging causes both the building material itself and the mortar to become weak, crack and fail. Through masonry restoration, it is possible to improve the primary cause of building material deterioration.
Masonry restoration refers to any work on a residential or commercial building that is already standing. The broad term covers minor repairs on the outside of your home to major masonry restoration on historical buildings. Masonry work is needed when you have cracked or chipped bricks, crumbling mortar, or discoloration.
Restoration jobs require plugging gaps and cracks in the mortar, as well as removing and replacing bricks that have lost their structural integrity. Stones can also be repaired during masonry restoration using similar techniques. In all cases, the restoration effort strives to match the new material to the existing material with very minimal changes in appearance.
Larger jobs in masonry restoration involve more than just one brick, but a section of a building, or even the entire building itself. The efforts taken during restoration are crucial in improving the building’s appearance, as well as ensuring that the structure remains standing.
Regular maintenance on historical buildings means fewer necessary repairs or replacements to the bricks and mortar. A more thorough restoration effort may only be necessary after decades, or even longer, on most historical buildings.
All buildings age, but D.C. Byers Company/Grand Rapids can help limit damage or fix your building’s masonry through any means necessary. Masonry restoration is important in keeping our history alive, and in keeping those structures safe and secure.
To get a quote on your masonry restoration needs, call DC Byers Company/Grand Rapids today at (616) 538-7300. Our experience and expertise allow us to assess the damage correctly and plan how to perform the repairs to allow you to use your space properly.
For masonry restoration and repair, DC Byers Company/Grand Rapids looks at all the factors contributing to the deterioration of the masonry. By understanding the underlying problems, we can start working on the most satisfying and cost-effective solutions.