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BEFORE AFTER
Getting to the Point of Repointing
There ’ s no shortage when it comes to contractors looking to upgrade features inside your home , or to create luxury additions like decks or patios . But who do you call when the actual structure of your home needs attention ? Who do you turn to when the bricks themselves have issues ? That ’ s when you call Michener Masonry for help .
“ What I do is very specific : repointing work , cracked joints , chimneys . With a house , it ’ s something people don ’ t notice until it ’ s too late because they think that bricks and brickwork last forever , and while it ’ s the most durable part of your home , your brickwork can and will fail eventually ,” says Jim Michener , owner . “ Once you see cracks , you need to take care of them before they get worse , and they will get worse .”
One of the most common things people will notice in their homes are cracks that radiate out from the corners of windows and doors . Those appear because of worn-out angle irons — steel bars that bridge the tops of windows and doors to carry the weight of the bricks above them . Over time , those angle irons can rust , swell and crack the surrounding brickwork .
Another area of concern common to homes in Western Pennsylvania is weak mortar . Constant abuse from the elements can erode mortar into deep spaces between bricks , or leave it crumbling at the slightest touch . These mortar joints need to be repointed , a process where the old mortar is chiseled or ground-out and replaced with fresh mortar
that will keep your home safe from the elements . Around areas of the home that are hard to inspect , such as chimneys , homeowners may not even know there ’ s a problem until a brick falls or water starts showing up in the home .
If these areas aren ’ t taken care of , they can and will let moisture and water leak into your home and also heat to escape . The longer they ’ re left untreated , the worse the damage can be .
Fortunately , Michener Masonry has been helping homeowners solve these problems for more than 25 years . An experienced brickmason who will work anywhere in metropolitan Pittsburgh , Michener offers homeowners results without having to empty their wallets . And while many homeowners worry about brickwork making patchy areas on their homes , Michener Masonry ’ s abundant experience means that mortar and brick will be matched as closely as possible – leaving a finished job that looks as natural as the day the house was built .
“ I do most of the work myself with a small crew behind me ,” says Michener . “ We work with homeowners to do what ’ s necessary and what fits their budgets and schedules . Springtime is a good time for people to do a walk around their homes to see if they find any cracks or areas that need attention . The truth is , you have to maintain your brickwork just like anything else .”
For more information on Michener Masonry , call Jim Michener at 412.853.2277 and schedule a free estimate for your home today .
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