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Building a Sustainable Future: The Environmental Impact of Masonry

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pile of bricks laid in a row

In the area of construction, the environmental impact of masonry work holds significant importance as the world increasingly gravitates towards sustainable practices. From ancient structures built of stone to modern skyscrapers erected with bricks, masonry has played a vital role in shaping our built environment. However, the processes involved in traditional masonry work have historically posed challenges to environmental conservation. In this article, we dive into the environmental footprint of masonry and explore eco-friendly practices aimed at mitigating its impact on the planet.

Eco-Friendly Practices in Masonry Work

Traditional masonry techniques often entail the use of materials and processes that contribute to environmental degradation. The extraction of raw materials such as stone, clay, and sand can result in habitat destruction, soil erosion, and depletion of natural resources. Additionally, the production of cement, a key component in mortar, is energy-intensive and generates substantial carbon emissions, further exacerbating climate change.

To address these environmental concerns, a shift towards eco-friendly practices in masonry work is very important. One approach involves the adoption of sustainable materials, such as recycled aggregates and alternative binders, which reduce the reliance on virgin resources and minimize environmental impacts. Recycled aggregates, derived from crushed concrete or masonry rubble, offer a sustainable alternative to traditional aggregates, conserving natural resources and reducing waste sent to landfills.

Furthermore, the use of alternative binders, such as geopolymers or lime-based mortars, can significantly lower carbon emissions associated with cement production. Geopolymers, made from industrial by-products like fly ash or slag, have emerged as a promising eco-friendly alternative to conventional cement-based materials. Similarly, lime-based mortars, derived from limestone, offer a more sustainable option with lower embodied carbon and improved breathability compared to cement mortar.

In addition to utilizing sustainable materials, eco-friendly masonry practices emphasize energy efficiency and waste reduction throughout the construction process. Adopting energy-efficient techniques, such as optimizing building designs for natural lighting and ventilation, can reduce energy consumption during both construction and operation phases, leading to lower carbon emissions and operating costs.

Implementing waste management strategies, such as onsite recycling of construction debris and minimizing material waste through precise measurement and planning, can further reduce the environmental footprint of masonry projects. Recycling and repurposing materials not only divert waste from landfills but also conserve valuable resources and minimize the need for new extraction.

Mitigating Environmental Footprints in Construction

In addition to eco-friendly practices at the project level, collaborative efforts within the construction industry are essential for mitigating environmental footprints on a broader scale. Initiatives such as green building certification programs promote sustainable construction practices by setting standards for energy efficiency, material sourcing, and environmental performance. By adhering to these standards, masonry contractors can contribute to building healthier, more resilient communities while minimizing their ecological impact.

Education and awareness play a crucial role in driving sustainable practices across the construction sector. Training programs and certifications focused on sustainable masonry techniques can encourage contractors and craftsmen to adopt environmentally responsible approaches in their work. Additionally, raising awareness among clients and stakeholders about the benefits of sustainable construction can foster demand for green building practices and drive market transformation towards a more sustainable future.

In conclusion, the environmental impact of masonry work can be substantial, but with the adoption of eco-friendly practices and the promotion of sustainability initiatives, the construction industry has the potential to minimize its ecological footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. By prioritizing sustainable materials, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and industry collaboration, masonry professionals can pave the way towards environmentally responsible construction practices that benefit both present and future generations.

Sealing A Brick House

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If you own a brick house, then you’re well aware of the dangers of moisture damage to brick. If you don’t own a brick house but are thinking about purchasing one, it’s important that you understand this durable material. The biggest enemy to any form of masonry is moisture. Bricks are porous, and as such, they are prone to absorbing water and cracking or crumbling. The same goes for mortar. 

One of the best ways to protect your brick house from moisture damage is by sealing it. Sealing a brick house can help prevent any issues that you may have with water damage for a period of time. Learn all about sealing a brick house here!

Step 1: Inspect the House

If you’re considering sealing your house, you’ll need to inspect it to make sure that sealing it is suitable. Then, you’ll need to prep it for sealing. When inspecting the home, look for the following issues that may be present:

  • Mold or mildew buildup
  • Crumbling or cracking in the bricks or mortar
  • Salt lines from flooding
  • Creeping plants, like ivy
  • Areas with heavy dirt or mineral deposits
  • Old paint

If you notice that your brick and mortar are heavily damaged, either through cracking or crumbling, sealing your house may not be the first thing you should do. The house may need to be tuckpointed, or repaired further. If so, give us a call. If your home seems to be in good condition, then you’ll be ready to prep it.

Step 2: Prep the Brick

Preparing the brick is an important step. As bricks are porous, it can be assumed that they’ll absorb things like moisture and dirt over time. They may also have residual sealant in them if they’ve been sealed before. As such, it’s important to wash them and prepare them for sealing. To wash the brick, follow the steps below:

  1. Remove any dirt, debris, or old paint from the surface gently
  2. Pull back any debris from the bottom layers of brick
  3. Apply a mildew and mold remover using a scrub brush
  4. Power wash the brick from top to bottom, making sure to wash away any dirty water
  5. Allow the brick to dry completely

Once you’ve finished prepping the brick, it’s time to get the workspace ready.

Step 3: Protecting Surfaces and Yourself

Treat your house as if you’re painting it. That means covering things surrounding the house with drop cloths, taping off windows and doors, and wearing eye protection, a mask, and rubber gloves. If you’ve done all that, then you’re ready to seal.

Step 4: Seal the Brick

You can use a pump sprayer or the traditional method of a roller to apply brick sealant. Regardless, make sure that you coat the surfaces evenly, and allow them to dry completely. Temperatures need to be between 40 and 90 degrees fahrenheit for proper application, and the sealer needs to be allowed to dry without weather interference.

Key Takeaways

Sealing brick is a great way to keep your home in great shape for years to come. However, not all homes are ready to be sealed. If the masonry surfaces of your home need repair, be sure to give us a call. We can help you get your brick tuckpointed, and get it in the best shape before being sealed!

Masons and Masonry

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A cornerstone is the first stone laid when building a structure.  It dictates direction and all measurements for the rest of the building are made in reference to it, making it the most important stone in the structure.  The same can be said for the masons who laid the cornerstone.  Masons have been the constructors of our buildings of today and of the most important structures throughout the history of the world, many that are still standing.

Throughout History

Masonry has been around thousands of years.  In fact, it’s one of the oldest forms of construction.  Some of the earliest examples of masonry come from Egypt (The Great Pyramids), Great Britain (Stonehenge), China (The Great Wall), and the many Greek and Roman structures that still stand strong today.  Bricks are the oldest of all man-made materials, originally made of clay and dried in the sun as early as 8000B.C.

Masonry Today

Masonry is building structures that are made by laying individual blocks or units, usually held together with some kind of mortar or cement material.  Masonry is usually more time-consuming to construct than other structures but because they’re made of strong materials (brick, stone, cement) and are held together  by a strong material, they are extremely strong and durable.  

Wood can rot and is susceptible to mold, unlike masonry, and because masonry structures are nearly air-tight, they keep out more allergens than their wooden counterparts.  They’re also stronger, reduce outside noise, and improve energy efficiency by keeping the interior of the structure warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.  

Masonry construction can be used for load-bearing walls, re-inforced masonry walls, composite, hollow (like cement blocks), or just on the exterior for aesthetics.  It’s also used for fireplaces and chimneys as well as landscape architecture like retaining walls or privacy walls.  

When Things Go Wrong

While bricks and other masonry materials are extremely strong, the mortar or cement that holds them together can deteriorate over time, especially if it was made from inferior materials.  When this happens, it not only looks bad, but it also can affect the structural integrity fo the wall or structure and could pose a real hazard.  A complete reconstruction is an option, of course, but it can be an extensive and expensive undertaking.  This is where tuckpointing comes in. 

Tuckpointing

Tuckpointing is a technique for restoring brickwork and masonry that involves removing the old, damaged mortar and replacing it with fresh, new mortar.  Using a grinder, the mortar is removed and replaced with some that is the color of the brick, and then grooves are cut into the new mortar and filled with mortar that matches the original mortar color.  It not only refreshes the look, but it can also create a straighter, more refined look.  Tuckpointing can be done in a small area or a complete wall or entire chimney. It’s much more cost-effective than replacement of the entire structure or even a part of it and can leave your brickwork looking almost new again.  

Marlon Tuckpointing provides tuckpointing and masonry services to the St. Louis area.  Our services include complete and spot tuckpointing services as well as chimney repairs, caulking, waterproofing, brickwork, and repairs to chimney caps and flashing. For questions or a free estimate call Marlon Tuckpointing LLC at (314) 496-9067.

How Tuckpointing Can Save Your Fireplace

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Fireplaces and chimneys give a home warmth in both the physical sense as well as in ambiance.  Everyone loves the feel of a cozy warm fireplace on cold winter’s night but if yours is old and falling apart and you worry about the high cost of replacing it so you don’t use it anymore, you’re missing out for nothing.  It’s more than likely that tuckpointing can help and for a lot less than replacement.

What Is Tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing is a process for repairing deteriorating mortar by removing the old, damaged mortar and replacing it with fresh, new mortar.  The mortar is removed using a grinder and replaced with mortar that is the color of the brick and grooves are cut into the new mortar and they are filled with matching mortar.  Tuckpointing can be done in a small area or a complete fireplace or chimney.  It not only gets rid of the deteriorating mortar before it affects the integrity of the chimney, but it also makes it look refreshed and renewed.  

How Tuckpointing Can Save Your Chimney

While bricks can last a hundred years or more, mortar does not.  Over time, it deteriorates from wind, rain, and sun and when the mortar starts to crumble, your chimney may begin to lean and may even collapse.  Or it could cause cracks where water can leak in and damage your home’s interior and lead to mold or wood rot.  However, as long as your chimney isn’t too far gone, tuckpointing can be used to replace the mortar, stopping the corrosion, and restore the integrity of the structure.  After tuckpointing has been performed on your chimney or fireplace, you’ll not only be able to enjoy its warmth again, but it’ll also increase the value of your home.

Tuckpointing is much less expensive than an entire chimney rebuild, and with your chimney restored, there will be less heat loss, saving you money in heating costs too.  

What To Look For

You may not realize that your chimney is in need of repair because so much of it is unseen and most of what you can see is high on your roof.  What you can see may still look good.  If you see stain on the paint or wallpaper around the chimney, there’s a good chance your chimney is leaking and moisture is getting in through damaged areas.  If you see areas where the mortar is crumbling, cracked bricks, musty odors after it rains, or discoloration of bricks, you’re probably experiencing some kind of leak inside the chimney.  If a leak in your chimney is ignored, you could face repair costs that go beyond a chimney. 

We Can Help  

Marlon Tuckpointing does chimney repair and can find and fix your leak, quickly and efficiently.  We provide tuckpointing and masonry services to the St. Louis area including complete and spot tuckpointing services as well as chimney repairs, caulking, waterproofing, brickwork, and repairs to chimney caps and flashing.  For questions or a free estimate call Marlon Tuckpointing LLC at (314) 496-9067. 

How to maintain a chimney? –Tuckpointing is the key

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Without being an expert, there are some visible signs that can tell you if your chimney needs maintenance. Some of these indicators are:

  • The fireplace is foul-smelling. This shows you the chimney liners are not working; they are a fundamental part of your chimney as they pull the fumes out of your house. It can be unpleasant –not to mention extremely dangerous. 
  • Cracks on the crown or bricks falling off the chimney. While damage to the crown is harder to notice –most homeowners rarely get on top of their fireplaces, pieces of blocks dotting the ground are also a symptom of your chimney requiring fixing. Fresh mortar and bricks need to replace damaged ones.   
  • There is mortar damage between the bricks. No doubt, the number one sign. Cracks or holes are a clear indicator that the mortar needs repair. Not attending this can cause many problems, such as water getting inside and permanently damaging it. To avoid this, tuckpointing is the best technique to address chimney issues. It can make your chimney look as good as new, and better yet, prevents further problems. 

The most basic steps to maintain your chimney include: remove ashes, remove fire stains, and clean the surface to the top. Nonetheless, chimney maintenance is a job for professionals; it gets much better results, and it is hassle-free. 

Chimney Tuckpointing

As we mentioned above, mortar damage is the most common reason why you need to call a professional company. Snow, ice, or water can infiltrate through the cracks and deteriorate the nearby areas. The process of tuckpointing involves restoration to the masonry mortar joints between the bricks. All blocks, stones, and bricks defaced are taken off and replaced by new ones. The failing mortar also gets replaced. When the technique is applied correctly, the result is a durable, water-resistant joint that prevents future chimney repairs and extends the life of the masonry. Tuckpointing is both a corrective and a preventive procedure. 

When maintaining a chimney, often, other processes come to mind, such as stain removal or sweeping. But, tuckpointing should be on the mind of every chimney-owner, as crumbling, failing mortar it is an evident sign that the weather has taken a toll in the structure and surface. Besides, failing to tuckpoint your joints will result in a much more expensive repair procedure. 

Aside from taking care of your joints, make sure to comply with the following for a durable, beautiful chimney:

  • Sweep it regularly –professionally. 
  • Inspect it often, both in the inside and outside. Look for cracked mortar and joints.
  • Clear ash and debris.
  • Remove stains.
  • Clean and polish all decorative items.

For everything involving chimney maintenance: cleaning, inspection (look out for foul smell or cracked surfaces), and tuckpointing, the best is to call a professional company. 

A fireplace is a lovely addition to a house. It serves beautifully as a decorative item and brings warmth to the home. For effective usage, be sure to maintain your chimney adequately and check it often.

To get a free estimate, or a consultation with the best in the St. Louis area, call Marlon Tuckpointing LLC at (314) 496 9067. For more info on their services, testimonies and photographs of their work quality, be sure to check their website. Just click here: https://marlontuckpointing.com/

Tuckpointing 101: 5 essential things you need to know

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Masonry items, such as block, stone, or brick, can last up to 100 years with virtually no maintenance. However, the mortar joints can present damage if these are exposed to harsh weather conditions –even if the bricks are in excellent shape. If the mortar shows cracks or detriment due to water exposure, it needs to be repaired. The most common and efficient way to do it is by Tuckpointing. If you’re not familiar with the term, don’t worry. Here’s a crash course:

1.      What is Tuckpointing?

It is a technique used to repair mortar joints in stone or bricks and to enhance the appearance of masonry. The process consists of grinding the deteriorated mortar and filling in with new material. The new mortar must match the color of the bricks; then, a thin line of putty is applied in the center of the joint. This layer has a contrasting color against the bricks. The technique gives the impression of well-maintained, delicate, and narrow joints made. 

2.      When should you Tuckpoint?

Here’s a simple test you can do. Take a regular key and stroke the mortar joint. If the masonry is in good shape, the rubbing will not scratch it at all. But, if the scratching releases powdered material, then you need to repair it. You can either perform this basic test or call an expert for a more professional evaluation. Remember, tuckpointing is also used for cosmetic purposes. It is used widely on historic brick homes; the technique helps recapture the home’s original appearance. 

3.      What happens if I don’t Tuckpoint?

When the technique is appropriately applied, the mortar joints become relatively waterproof. It increases the life of your walls. On the contrary, weakened or deteriorated mortar allows moisture and humidity to infiltrate the brick or stone masonry. If the moisture gets behind the wall, the problem will be much severe. In the worst cases, the only fix will be to tear the wall down. By not tuckpointing on time, you will lose time and money. 

4.      Is there a point where it is too late to Tuckpoint?

Unfortunately, yes. Loose masonry units –stone or bricks –mean bad news. If your situation gets to this point, the only way to fix it is to pull down the masonry wall and build it again. In terms of money, there is no comparison between doing this final solution and Tuckpointing on time. 

5.      Can I prevent mortar deterioration?

The lifespan of mortar joints is around 30 years. The wear and tear obey to different causes. We mentioned moisture but also erosion from exposure to extreme temperatures, low-quality craft, or even pressure from the weight of the masonry. Mortar joints are the weakest part of a wall; inevitably, you will eventually have to maintain and repair. 

Although labor-extensive, Tuckpointing is an efficient, effective, cost-worthy technique to keep your masonry walls and chimneys in optimal condition.