Mistakes That Non-Professional Masons Make
Masonry Should Be Done Right
Masons create residential, commercial, and industrial structures out of bricks, concrete blocks, and natural stone. They do retaining walls, houses, fireplaces, walkways, and many more, as well as repair and restore buildings of great historical value. The quality of their work largely depends on their training, skills, and experience. Finding a reliable masonry contractor is vital for the success of your project because if you fail to hire true professionals, it will turn into a huge disaster. How so?
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Using the wrong proportion of mortar. Mortar is a mixture of sand, cement, and water. If the proportion is wrong, the mixture will not be able to sustain a solid construction and as a result, it will begin to crumble. This is one very common blunder made by homeowners and inexperienced contractors. Experts always choose the mortar according to the type of the brickwork.
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Inadequately-installed flashing. For those who are not familiar with it, flashing is the most essential part that keeps the brickwork stable and intact. To put it simply, they are strips installed on strategic spots on the outside of a brick or a stone building. Sometimes, improper placement is done by professional masons. If these strips are too loose, for instance, they will let the water drip onto them and enter a structure through holes. In the end, mold and mildew will grow, resulting in a total collapse.
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Too harsh efflorescence. Block masons are very well familiar with this term. Efflorescence is actually crystals formed on the bricks themselves, over time. Eventually, they can grow too big to lead to awful cracks in the brick and the mortar. A possible solution is a careful and accurate installation of flashing to stop the water from penetration through the walls.
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Corrosion and rust. We all know they appear as a result of prolonged contact of metal parts with water. Steel is a material used for support in these structures, and it is prone to corrosion. The specialists usually use galvanized steel or steel coated with zinc.
Whenever you need impeccable masonry work in Redwood City, CA, done by skilled and knowledgeable experts, you know who you can trust. TLR Masonry is your wise choice. Call us now at (408) 887-2046.