When it comes time to do the work, homeowners should consider how long they want the treatment to last and what they want it to look like, says Ivan Myjer, principal of Building and Monument Conservation in Arlington, Massachusetts.Ī row of classic brownstones in Brooklyn, New York.īrownstone is a medium- to coarse-grained red-brown sandstone, usually with noticeable mica content that gives the stone its characteristic sparkle. This source offers homeowners whose homes were originally Portland brownstone the choice of in-kind repairs on small restoration jobs or, if their budget allows, refacing the entire building with in-kind stone. Another boost is the reopening of the Portland Brownstone Quarries in Portland, Connecticut, which supplied 85 percent of the original brownstone used in New York and surrounding areas. ![]() ![]() Today there’s a resurgence in preserving these Brown Decades buildings, in part because of the success of commercial patching materials and masons who have perfected their own patching brews and techniques over the years. It was economical as well as offering a range of shades-from a seductive dark chocolate to milky cocoa-to match the brownstone. Patching with a mixture of cement, sand, lime, and mortar colors became the preferred fix. By the 1970s, however, preservation-minded folks began to look for more appropriate choices. In the 1950s many Brooklyn residents tried to disguise these modern ruins by covering their tattered facades with aluminum siding, faux brick, and paint. Historical records show that some brownstone began deteriorating 30, 20, and even 10 years after it was installed, says Alex Herrera, director of technical services at the New York Landmarks Conservancy. More than 50,000 row houses in the Northeast were finished with brownstone, and because of the high demand, the best quality stone was not always available. It was also easy to quarry, inexpensive, plentiful, and soft enough for fine carving and honing, making it a favorite among 19th-century masons. Once the fresh stucco has cured, you can paint the house as you wish.Used in middle-class neighborhoods of East Coast cities between 18, brownstone offered a handsome Italianate-style veneer as well as the prestige of stone-considered more sophisticated than the mundane brick structure it covered. If you decide to make the repairs yourself, always wear gloves when working with stucco as the alkaline in the cement can cause burns. They can repair the stucco or replace large sections of it if necessary and the experts will warranty their work. If there are extensive cracks, holes, or areas where the siding has sloughed off, hire a contractor who specializes in stucco repairs. If you don’t have too many repairs to do, you can purchase pre-mixed stucco patch material in quarts or larger buckets. Depending on how much of the wall is damaged, you may need to buy a bag of cement, sand, or lime and an acrylic bonding agent and mix them to apply onto the wall. You will want to clear away any buckled or damaged stucco with a hammer and chisel before removing the debris with a wire brush. Too much moisture or heat will keep the material from setting well and the repairs may not last. It is best to wait to make the repairs until temperatures at night stay above 40 degrees and try to do it when the side of the house is shaded. If the cracks in the stucco are larger or if there are holes in it, then you will need to purchase a cement-based material or patch. Its elasticity will allow the textured acrylic to adjust instead of come apart if the wall moves slightly. When you touch the caulked area, it will still feel flexible but it is fine. Then, using a sand-textured acrylic caulk, fill in the crack from top to bottom using a trowel to smooth it out as you go.Īllow the material to cure for at least 24 hours before painting with a water-based paint. Clean the edges of the crack with a wire brush to remove any debris. It should be cut perpendicular to the wall with the top of the crack being slightly wider. To repair thin cracks, use a hammer and cold chisel to widen the crack so it is about a quarter-inch wide. Wide, deep cracks could be caused from the house settling and you should consider having the foundation checked in case it is crumbling and needs to be fixed. ![]() Most of the cracks will be cosmetic and easy to repair. Some will be thin hairline cracks while others could be much wider or you could have holes in the stucco. Not all of the cracks in the stucco of your house are going to be the same. It won’t be difficult to repair the cracks using these tips. There are many reasons why stucco cracks, such as the house settling or the exterior being exposed to the extremes of hot and cold weather. If it’s time to paint your stucco home but there are cracks or holes in the walls, you will need to repair them before painting commences.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |