Efflorescence in Masonry, or Why is my building all white? Many buildings at some point in their history exhibit some form of efflorescence. What is efflorescence? Efflorescence is a white... read more →
What is a crinkle crankle wall? This is the term for a brick serpentine garden wall also called a ribbon wall, wavy wall, radius wall, or a crinkum crankum wall. ... read more →
Masonry Doesn't Burn For years folks have been saying that MASONRY DOES NOT BURN! I am here to tell you it is true! Masonry products like brick, concrete... read more →
Facing Brick A Specification for Facing Brick Over many years the masonry industry with the collaboration of the American Society of Testing and Materials, (ASTM), an international standards... read more →
The Masonry Advisory Council is known for promoting the use of masonry. Here is an example of some new technology that is promoting the use of masonry and more.... read more →
We sometimes forget about the flexibility of concrete masonry is and how efficient it is for construction. In many cases concrete masonry units are the back-up or the support... read more →
Protect Masonry Walls. In my masonry career, I had not heard of spray cork. I know that cork as a material is green, it is renewable, it does not... read more →
Winter construction costs should take into account many items that contribute to installing masonry below the 40 degree temperature guideline. In cold weather at 40 degrees, the hydration of... read more →
In todays’ buildings there are many items that are highly combustible, so having a little or a lot of masonry creates safety within a structure especially in a stairwell, elevator,... read more →
While commuting home last week, I was passed by a pickup that advertised “Cement Contractor” on the side of the truck. What is a cement contractor? I think it was... read more →
The reason for re-pointing is that mortar lasts roughly between 25-50 years while brick lasts approximately 100+ years. Over a buildings life, foundations settle, caulking becomes dry and brittle,... read more →
When we build with brick, concrete block, stone and the many other materials that we use in masonry, we need movement joints. Materials built with cement in their composition,... read more →
I like to watch DIY home shows like This Old House and Holmes on Homes. I like Mike Holmes motto: “If you're going to do... read more →
In October of 2018, the United States Senate passed the Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education and Promotion Act, providing Congressional authorization for the concrete masonry products industry to develop... read more →
In the masonry world this topic comes up seasonally. There are necessary procedures needed to follow for successful installation of masonry in the cold weather. This information is helpful... read more →