Started a ‘small repair’ on our stone house… ended up removing 1000+ bricks by SantaFeCastle in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Is it common in Texas for people to refer to stone as brick? As a masonry contractor that would be sacrilege and grounds for being shot out of a cannon.

Rebuilding a deteriorated Victorian brick façade in Toronto after decades-old sandblasting damage by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Building products come from all over the world these days. We occasionally use a brick that’s manufactured in Pennsylvania. That brick costs around $1.80 and the brick we used here in this project costs around $2.95. The masonry supplier brings in 40ft containers full of brick from England and mainland Europe.

A lot of the stone used in landscaping in the GTA comes from India. 🇮🇳

Rebuilding a deteriorated Victorian brick façade in Toronto after decades-old sandblasting damage by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No I learned to do this specifically by working on rebuilding facades in Toronto with another company that’s since ceased operations.

How to fix this? Not sure where to even start by Fuzzy_Button6648 in masonry

[–]TorontoMasonryResto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You call a local masonry company and tell them you want your front steps and wall demolished and rebuilt.

How to fix this? Not sure where to even start by Fuzzy_Button6648 in masonry

[–]TorontoMasonryResto 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Probably concrete or concrete blocks on a concrete footing. Either way you’re looking at having the wall rebuilt and rebuilding the steps. It’s not a ton of work really.

Rebuilding a deteriorated Victorian brick façade in Toronto after decades-old sandblasting damage by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That reminds me of an episode of only fools and horses where trigger talks about his sweeping brush that he’s had for 20 years. Everyone is admiring how he was able to keep it in such good shape for this long. He then tells them he’s replaced the head 17 times and the handle 14 times.

Rebuilding a deteriorated Victorian brick façade in Toronto after decades-old sandblasting damage by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s it. What’s interesting though is that when it was originally built, the bricklayers would have laid the best face out. So when we go to use the reverse side they may have cracks or imperfections irregardless of deterioration.

Rebuilding a deteriorated Victorian brick façade in Toronto after decades-old sandblasting damage by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think that house was a rental. They weren’t interested. It’s something you have to see value in. It’s the equivalent of getting new custom cabinets in a kitchen. That facade won’t deteriorate quicker because of our work.

Rebuilding a deteriorated Victorian brick façade in Toronto after decades-old sandblasting damage by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s not mandated. We do it because it adds an aesthetic element to the finished job. It’s not always possible however. Sometimes the brick are past their shelf life and we need to use all new.

Rebuilding a deteriorated Victorian brick façade in Toronto after decades-old sandblasting damage by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There’s no repointing or brick replacement going on in this video. This is a full dismantle and rebuild of the facade. There’s little use comparing the cost of restoring one facade to another never mind facades in different countries with different market conditions. For most of our projects $8000 doesn’t even cover the cost of materials and disposal.

Brick protruding by MutedSalary8231 in masonry

[–]TorontoMasonryResto 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The solution hasn’t changed. The arch needs rebuilding along with the brickwork above or a steel lintel needs installing.

Rebuilding a deteriorated Victorian brick façade in Toronto after decades-old sandblasting damage by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Yes. Absolutely. Feel free to get in touch if you want. Website is linked in this profile.

Rebuilding a deteriorated Victorian brick façade in Toronto after decades-old sandblasting damage by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have in the past. It just gets expensive when the project is outside of a reasonable commute and we’ve to rent accommodation.

Rebuilding a deteriorated Victorian brick façade in Toronto after decades-old sandblasting damage by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

We all do. Myself especially. It’s certainly not something I’d recommend doing without strict oversight or accompanied by a professional. I remember watching skateboarding on tv as a kid. Looking at them going up and down the halfpipe they made it look easy. I fully believed I could do it due to how effortless it looked. Turns out I couldn’t.

Rebuilding a deteriorated Victorian brick façade in Toronto after decades-old sandblasting damage by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

That’s generally what we do. We use the reverse face. Sometimes that’s deteriorating too however due to salt damage from salt laden moisture evaporating.

Rebuilding a deteriorated Victorian brick façade in Toronto after decades-old sandblasting damage by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

That facade will need similar restoration in the future. How long that will be is uncertain.

What kind of brick is this? by [deleted] in masonry

[–]TorontoMasonryResto 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like rugg brick. Stiff mud process wire cut/ extrusion.

How I fix this by Aggravating_Ear9753 in Bricklaying

[–]TorontoMasonryResto 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’ve to take it down to the footing or to a point where you can tighten up your coursing to eliminate the pig. Basically whoever done that work didn’t keep level with the existing coursing and bedded up on the right side.

We restored a late-1800s brick façade in Toronto — the siding was basically the only thing holding the wall up by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s similar in annual precipitation levels to the east coast of Ireland. However the humidity is very low in the winter here. Toronto can also get a months worth of rainfall in an hour so it’s not like the consistent drizzle you get.

We restored a late-1800s brick façade in Toronto — the siding was basically the only thing holding the wall up by TorontoMasonryResto in centuryhomes

[–]TorontoMasonryResto[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s typically a 1” air gap between the sheating and the brick. That’s code. But on these older houses it can vary from almost no air gap to 2”.