Historic Restorations Logo
Historic Restorations Newsletter
717-291-4688
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
PA Lime Works
Greetings!

The theme of this newsletter is Historic Masonry Care (the topic of our August building maintenance class).  Pictures of this class are available on our website. 
 
Summer has gone by quickly - Labor Day is this weekend.  It is a good time to think about making your building energy efficient in a sensitive manner.  This will be the topic of the September newsletter if you have any questions or concerns that you would like to see addressed let us know and we will try to include the answers in the newsletter.
 
As always any questions or comments are appreciated. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Danielle Keperling
Historic Restorations
Upcoming Events
Historic Restorations' Classes
 
Energy Efficient Older Homes - September 13th Seminar Style Class
 
Build Colonial Style Mirrors or Picture Frames - October 25th-26th
Hands-on Class
 
Controlling Moisture in Buildings - November 8th
Seminar Style Class
 
Our 2009 class schedule has been added to our website at www.historic-restorations.com.
 
Columbia Preservation Workshop
 
Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 10 AM - 1 PM at the Columbia Market House; 15 South Third Street, Columbia, PA.
 
Continuing Education Classes at HACC
 
Older Home Preservation Process- Lancaster September 17th from 6-9PM.
 
Energy Conservation - Lancaster September 24th from 6-9 PM.
 
Dating Your Older Building - Lancaster October 1st from 6-9 PM.
 
For more information visit http://vc.hacc.edu.
 
Lime Based Mortar
Bag of Lime Based Mortar
 
Repointing with Lime Based Mortar
 
The most common mistake made when repointing a masonry building is to use Portland Cement - a modern building material.  Portland Cement is an inflexible material and is harder than the surrounding brick.  I am sure you have seen buildings in which the face of the brick is missing this comes from the frozen water not being able to escape through the mortar.
 
An alternative to Portland Cement is Lime Based Mortar.  We use deGruchy's Lime Works Mortar in our restoration projects.  They have several standard colors and if you send them a sample of your existing mortar they can match the color and type.  Their website is www.palimeworks.com.
Cleaning Masonry

Cleaning Brick and Masonry Surfaces

When cleaning a brick or masonry surface the most important thing to remember is not to use anything that will harm the harder outer layer this includes sandblasting and acid-based washes.
 
It is recommend to use moderate water pressure with a power washer with gentle historic masonry cleaner (available at a paint supply store), or steam cleaning.  This is the most gentle and effective way to clean masonry. 
 
For additional information visit the technical guideline's from the Secretary of the Interior:
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/TPS/tax/rhb/masonry01.htm
Contact Us

341 E. Liberty St.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17602
 
717-291-4688 
Join Our Mailing List!