Standard Practice

This section outlines our process when it comes to some standard masonry services. In the province of Ontario masonry repair and restoration is unregulated and there can be a big discrepancy in the standard practice from one company to another. No matter who you hire to take on your project make sure that they do take the proper steps in all aspects of the job to insure the overall quality and longevity of the work.

Repointing: Cut out the existing mortar by a depth of ~1 inch then either rinse or vacuum the joint clean to prepare for the bonding of new mortar; then replace the removed mortar with new mortar. This replacement of mortar is done by hand. Not preparing the joint before repointing is skipping a critical step, it saves considerable time and looks fine when initially completed but the work will not last. The mortar type used for repointing is also very important, the unit and their purpose dictate what type of mortar should be used. As for mortar colour matching, we always replicate the colour unique to your home right on site; then we apply the appropriate joint finish to blend in with the rest of the wall.

Concrete pouring: The same initial steps are taken as in the procedure of parging only mechanical anchors and rebar get installed to add tensile strength and tie everything together. When required, a concrete adhesive is added to ensure that the new concrete properly adheres to the existing concrete. For large projects we enlist the service of our local concrete delivery companies and have a truck come to provide the precise type of concrete mix right for the job. For smaller jobs we create our own mix on site using the proper ingredients and methods which adds to the longevity of our product and workmanship.

Laying of units: This is a fairly straightforward practice within the industry, the main thing to look out for is proper mortar type (which depends on what exactly you’re laying and where). Major problems can arise down the road if the incorrect mortar type is used. When it comes to restoration, preparation of the surrounding areas is also paramount. Like all the other types of masonry work, surfaces must be cleaned and prepared before proper brick, block, or stone laying should commence, otherwise a proper bond will not be obtained.