Heritage Masonry
What Is Quicklime? Calcium Oxide in Lime Mortar
Understand quicklime, hydrated lime, lime putty and NHL, with a material checker and guidance on hot mixing, historic mortar compatibility and safe handling.
Brick, stone, and the craft of old walls
Heritage Masonry
Marble Spalling: Identify the Cause Before Repair
Distinguish marble spalling from etching and sugaring, trace moisture and anchor problems, and choose compatible repairs for historic stonework.
Oct 10, 2026
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Heritage Masonry
Heritage Masonry
Soldier Course Brick: Identification, Support and Set-Out
Distinguish soldier bricks from sailors and rowlocks, assess support over openings, match historic repairs, and calculate a straight course’s layout.
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Heritage Masonry
Running Bond Pattern: Identify It and Set It Out
Identify half- and one-third running bond, calculate brick-and-joint offsets, and match historic repairs without confusing the face pattern with structure.
Masonry Cracks
Horizontal Foundation Crack Repair: Diagnose Before Reinforcing
A horizontal foundation crack may signal lateral soil pressure. Compare sealing, reinforcement, anchors and rebuilding—and diagnose the cause first.
Mortar And Repointing
Masonry Cement: What It Is and When to Use It
What masonry cement contains, how it differs from mortar cement and mortar mix, and why historic masonry requires a compatibility check.
Heritage Masonry
Masonry Repair: Diagnose the Wall Before the Fix
Diagnose cracks, moisture and failed mortar before choosing masonry repair materials, then confirm compatible work with a cured test panel on site.
Mortar And Repointing
Pointing and Repointing: What the Terms Mean and What Good Work Requires
Pointing is the visible mortar finish; repointing renews failed joints. Learn when it is needed, how mortar is matched and what a sound scope includes.
Structural Masonry Repairs
Is My Brick House Earthquake Safe? What Determines It
The verdict depends on wall system, reinforcement, connections, condition, site, alterations and retrofit history—not brick alone.
Brick Repair
Brick Restoration: Find the Cause Before You Repoint
Match crumbling mortar, spalling, rust stains and cracks to their likely cause, the first check to make, who to call, and when repointing can safely start.
Heritage Masonry
Flemish Bond Brickwork: How to Identify the Pattern
Check every course for alternating headers and stretchers, then verify the offset, corner closures, and why the face alone cannot prove structure.
Mortar And Repointing
Fireplace Mortar Repair: When and How to Fix It
Small, stable indoor firebrick joints may suit approved refractory mortar; loose, damp, moving, or recurring damage calls for qualified assessment.
Heritage Masonry
Historic Masonry Restoration: Assess, Test, Repair
Diagnose moisture and deterioration, retain sound fabric, match mortar by performance, test cleaning, and approve mockups before production.
Heritage Masonry
Harling: Lime Finish, Application and Repair
Cast wet onto prepared masonry, this rough lime-and-aggregate coating manages weather; success depends on preparation, compatible materials and curing.
Mortar And Repointing
Brick Pointing: When and How to Repoint
Diagnose water or movement, match mortar by behavior and appearance, approve a cured test panel, then repoint without sacrificing the brick.
Mortar And Repointing
What Is Mortar? Ingredients, Uses & Differences
Made from water, sand and a binder, it beds and bonds brick, stone or block. See how it differs from cement and concrete—and why compatibility matters.
Mortar And Repointing
Masonry Repointing: Diagnose Before Repair
Inspect symptoms and correct active moisture or movement first, then specify replacement mortar compatible with historic or traditional masonry.
Building Envelope Repairs
Demolition by Neglect: What Dallas City Hall Shows
Dallas City Hall shows why landmark status cannot stop water: inspections and routine envelope repairs preserve masonry options before costs become unworkable.