The harsh weather of winter adds ice and snow to DC brick walkways and steps. Using salt or other chemical de-icing products to remove ice and snow from brick walkways can damage and stain the bricks, degrade the mortar joints and harm any nearby vegetation. Homeowners are challenged by the need to maintain safe walkways […]

Like most owners of old houses, your renovation plans probably include matching as many of the authentic building parts – doors, flooring, fixtures, and millwork – as possible. It is possible to find reasonably priced, period materials by shopping the salvage market. 

You’ve just purchased an old DC brick house, and are eager to realize your dream of renovating a historic home. You can look beyond the neglect to see restored plaster walls, reproduction wall paper and period antiques. Here are some tips for surviving the messy and challenging process of an actual old house restoration.

Many historic homes in DC have brick steps and walkways. If properly built and well maintained, these classic entry ways have lasted for decades. Bricks are durable and reflect the formality of the historic design. Repairs should be done in a way that maintains their architectural and structural integrity.

Historic brick homes in most DC neighborhoods were constructed with relatively soft, porous bricks and limestone mortar. Many of the interiors were covered with lime plaster. Occasionally these plastered walls, spackled and repainted during a renovation, show signs of bubbling. Homeowners can find a solution in the original materials used to build their old homes. 

Historic brick homes in most DC neighborhoods were constructed with relatively soft, porous bricks and limestone mortar. Many of the interiors were covered with lime plaster. Occasionally these plastered walls, spackled and repainted during a renovation, show signs of bubbling. Homeowners can find a solution in the original materials used to build their old homes. 

Many historic homes in the Washington DC area display stately brick facades. One of the advantages of this type of construction is that brick masonry is relatively maintenance free. While the brick units can last 100 years or more, the mortar joints typically last for twenty to thirty years depending on the type of weather exposure. After that, […]

If your historic brick home has a brick chimney, spring is the right time to consider the need for a chimney repair. Deteriorating brick-mortar isn’t just a cosmetic problem, but rather a serious potential source of water leaks into your home. The exposed mortar in many Washington DC brick chimneys is particularly vulnerable to weather […]

Brick and masonry might be among the longest-lasting, most weatherproof building elements, but old brick buildings still require maintenance and repair. To ensure long-lasting structural integrity, homeowners should regularly check for water damage, conduct periodic cleaning, and have masonry joints repointed when necessary.