Masonry Solutions

Diamond Bar

News and Insights on the Masonry Repair and Maintenance of Institutional, Commercial, and Condominium Buildings in Eastern Massachusetts   
 



Vol.4 No. 2

   April 2012   


Greetings!


In this issue, our Case Study article features our completed restoration of the fa�ade of a 4-story brick and brownstone building in the heart of Boston's historic South End district. Our Masonry 101 article provides a brief primer on bricks and their strengths as a building material.


We trust that you will benefit from the information provided in this publication. If you have any comments or questions, or would like an estimate on a masonry repair project, we can be reached at

617-445-0274 or at www.abbotbuilding.com.  

  

Sincerely,

  

Michael Norman, President
Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.

 

Case Study 

Abbot Restores Historic South End     Brick and Brownstone Building Facad46 San Juan Streete

Abbot  recently completed restoration of the fa�ade of a 4-story brick and brownstone building located at 46 San Juan Street in the heart of Boston's historic South End district.

 

When the building began to exhibit structural issues including leakage over several windows following the harsh winter of 2011, the owner and property manager contracted Thompson & Lichtner, a Cambridge, MA engineering firm, to evaluate the damage and establish a remedial plan. In compliance with guidelines set forth by the South End Architectural Commission, Abbot was contracted to remove the brick above all of the brownstone over the leaking windows, install flashing in the affected areas, and reinstall the brick. Abbot then cut and repointed the entire brick fa�ade, and caulked all of the windows to provide a tight waterproof seal.

 

Masonry 101

Brick: The Ideal Building Block     

 

When it comes to selecting a building material, a clay brick is difficult to beat. A brick is a 100 percent inorganic, inert material. It does not contain carbon-based materials nor does it contain toxic compounds. And with a projected service life of 100 years or more, it is regarded as one of the strongest and longest lasting building material in the world. 

 

Properly designed and constructed brickwork requires minimal maintenance and will not need to be painted or coated in order to manage moisture.

 

Drainage Wall 

 

Mortar RepairToday, most brickwork in the United States is installed as a drainage wall with an anchored veneer in front of a structural backing. In a drainage wall, the brick veneer provides the majority of protection against moisture. Any small amount of water penetrating the veneer is directed downward by an air space to the flashing below and out of the veneer through weep holes. A water-resistant barrier over the surface of the structural backing keeps moisture out of the substrate.

 

Brick Veneer 

 

Many manufacturers are now creating brick veneer units that are lighter, thinner or both. Such units use fewer raw materials, conserving resources and requiring less energy to fire, and their lighter weight reduces transportation costs.

 

Recycled Brick 

 

The demand for reused/reclaimed bricks is high. The fact that bricks made more than a century ago can often be used again is a testimony to their superior durability. Bricks salvaged from buildings constructed more than 60 years ago were typically laid with a mortar made of lime and sand with minimal, if any, portland cement content. This type of mortar was not as strong as contemporary mortars made with portland cement. As a result, when older bricks surrounded with this mortar are extracted from an existing wall, most of the mortar residue can be removed easily during cleaning.

 

During the manufacturing process, any raw bricks, fired bricks, or scraps are recycled back into the production stream. Scrap bricks and bricks from demolition can be crushed and formed into new bricks, or used as brick chips for landscaping or other applications. Recycled bricks also can be used as sub-base material for pavements, on quarry roads, or even as aggregate for concrete.

 

 

abbot logo
 

Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.

28 Allerton Street, Boston, MA 02119
Tel: 617-445-0274  � Fax: 617-445-0277

estimating@abbotbuilding.com www.abbotbuilding.com  

Featured Articles  

 

Case Study

Abbot recently restored the facade of an historic brick and brownstone building in Boston's historic South End district. 

 

See full article below 

 

Masonry 101

When it comes to durability and maintenance, a clay brick is difficult to beat..  

 

See full article below

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To learn about more "Masonry Solutions", visit our web site at :

www.abbotbuilding.com