Proper maintenance is essential to keep your masonry in great shape for many years. It preserves the aesthetic appeal and increases the structure's longevity. At Q&E Keystone Masonry, we perform stonework in Ambler, PA, and can help you upkeep your home’s exterior!
Durability and Longevity
One reason why proper masonry maintenance is important is that it greatly improves the durability and longevity of your masonry. Concrete is designed to stand up to the elements, and it is highly durable. However, wear and tear does cause deterioration over time. Regular maintenance minimizes any deterioration, which can preserve your structure for years to come.
Improved Reliability
Maintenance can help keep your structure in good condition, which helps preserve its structural integrity. Issues like water runoff can weaken your structure over time. With regular maintenance, these issues are spotted and corrected early, before the damage can accumulate and undermine the structural integrity.
Lower Ownership Costs
Stone and brick structures are expensive to construct, but they pay for themselves in durability and integrity. Because maintenance can extend the life of your stonework, it also lowers your long-term ownership costs. Regular preventative care is much less expensive than major repairs or replacing the structure, so you'll save money in the long term.
Avoid Major Repairs
Major repairs bring a host of issues. You may need to live somewhere else while the repairs are being completed. This costs money and is a huge inconvenience. Even if you don't need to leave your home, repairs are disruptive. There's also a possibility that damage to your masonry causes damage to other areas or structures, which will greatly increase your repair bill and the stress it causes.
Increased Property Values
Keeping your stonework in excellent condition can even increase your property value. Crumbling masonry, on the other hand, can significantly lower the value of your home. Potential buyers will either see an asset or a problem they need to fix, depending on how well you've cared for your home.
What's Included in Masonry Maintenance?
Masonry maintenance includes several tasks. These include:
- Identifying and Repairing Water Damage: Masonry is designed to stand up to water. However, if it's exposed to water consistently, it will begin to deteriorate. This causes water damage. Your contractor can locate any water damage and repair it. It's also important to identify the underlying cause of the water damage and correct it as well.
- Crack Repair: Small cracks can turn into large cracks if they aren't repaired properly. Regular maintenance allows your contractor to repair any cracks in your masonry before they become a big problem. They will also be able to identify any cracks that are concerning structurally, and which cracks are simply an aesthetic issue.
- Cleaning Masonry: Regular cleaning is very important for the appearance of your brick or stonework. Cleaning helps keep your masonry looking its best as the years go by. It also helps improve the durability by removing any substances that could cause damage over time.
- Tuckpointing or Repointing: Tuckpointing and repointing both involve replacing any worn or damaged mortar. This is often overlooked, but it's a key component of maintaining your stonework. Repointing uses standard mortar, which maintains the same appearance. Tuckpointing, on the other hand, uses different colors or mortar, which highlights the mortar line. This creates a different appearance that some homeowners prefer.
Masonry Maintenance at Q&E Keystone Masonry
If you need masonry contractors in Quakertown, PA, contact us at Q&E Keystone Masonry. Our skilled contractors can provide a range of services, including patio construction, stamped concrete, brick structures, stucco, and more.
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