Living in an old home can be a dream come true. It can be like living in another century, as you put your feet up surrounded by the classical moldings and fireplace. Your antique dwelling might also be a point of pride as you invite your friends over to see your brownstone apartment. There’s really nothing like preserved history. Of course, living in an abode of this age can also mean having to repair those parts that have withered and decayed. For instance, terra cotta blocks, being exposed to the elements, may need some attention so as to avoid further deterioration. The first thing you should do after you commit to terra cotta repairs, is call a specialist. He or she will be able to guide you through the process of renovating your classic building.
Testing Terra Cotta
One of the first things that he or she will do is inspect the brick. A common way of inspecting brick is tapping, a method that literally involves tapping the terra cotta with a wooden hammer. If the material rings, it means the interior of the block is intact, but if the block lets out a dull, flat sound then it is not structurally sound and needs attention.
Treating Terra Cotta
Before diving into terra cotta repairs, the mason may want to clean the brick. With water, detergent and a natural nylon bristled brush, he or she will be able to clean the building blocks of your old house, sloughing off the soil from the stone. It’s good to know that glazed terra cotta was designed for easy and cheap cleaning, so you shouldn’t be overspending to clean your bricks.
Repairing Terra Cotta
After the mason has honed in on the problem areas, there are a number of possible routes that can be taken for terra cotta repairs. Repointing is one of those routes and entails repairing the joints of the brick work. In fact, by repointing on a steady and consistent basis, you can be sure to preserve the historical beauty of your property.
Terra cotta is a beautiful material that hearkens back to the turn of the century. It requires tender love and care from a specialist who has the passion and experience necessary to renew that which is decaying.
Terra cotta repairs are a great way of maintaining the essential beauty of an old building. It’s only through terra cotta repairs that the majestic earthy quality of your terra cotta dream house can be maintained. Call a mason soon if you want to effectively repair any terra cotta tiles or bricks that may need attention. For more information visit Soumar.com. You can also connect with them on Facebook for more updates!
