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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.

Sep 10, 2026

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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.

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Structural Masonry Repairs

Does Fire Damage Brick Walls? Safety and Repair

Learn when fire-blackened brick can be retained, why mortar and lost roof bracing matter more, and which signs require urgent engineering review.

Stone Cleaning And Sealing

Blue Flagstone: Types, Sizes, Costs & Buying Guide

“Blue flagstone” sounds like a precise material specification. It is not. Suppliers use the name for several blue-gray stones sold as flat paving pieces,…

Stone Cleaning And Sealing

Flagstone Colors Span 8 Families and Vary by Lot

Trade names such as Buckskin and Castle Grey are not standardized colors. Compare broad families, undertones, stone types and expected natural variation.

Structural Masonry Repairs

4 Options for Fixing a Leaning Retaining Wall

Removing soil from behind a loaded retaining wall can trigger further movement because excavation changes the wall's support and loading conditions.

Building Envelope Repairs

Chimney Flashing: Reseal, Repair or Replace?

Rust-through, substantial thinning, missing or distorted parts, broad separation and repeated leaks after patching make replacement more likely.