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Masonry Building Restoration in Cold Weather 

2024/11/01

Masonry Building Restoration in Cold Weather 

As the cooler weather quickly makes its way into New England, masonry building restoration doesn’t slow down. However, restoration technicians sometimes need to change their procedures, equipment, and supplies to repair and restore brick successfully. The goal of cold-weather masonry restoration is to minimize the effects of the elements on materials while remaining a cost-effective solution.

 

Masonry building restoration requires extra steps and precautions in cold weather conditions. Here’s an overview of the cold-weather restoration process.

 

Brick Masonry Repair

Unlike other restoration processes, brick masonry construction can be done in nearly any weather condition. With a bit of tweaking and a few additional precautions, restoration specialists can work as effectively in the winter as they can in the spring or summer.

The mortar is a greater concern when it comes to cold weather conditions. Extreme cold weather causes the moisture held within the mortar to freeze and expand. This cycle may compromise the structural integrity of the building and its components. To ensure the integrity of the building, there are guidelines restoration and repair technicians follow. The Masonry Standards Joint Committee Code and Specification (MSJC), Section 1.8C regarding cold weather, stipulates codes, specifications, and standards to provide needed protections for masonry building restoration and the masons.

Among many of the detailed guidelines, the MSJC lists procedures to ensure proper mortar bonding and curing. Even if a cold-weather construction plan is not required, the code requirements are mandatory.

 

Mortar guidelines

Made from a combination of Portland cement, hydrated lime, and sand, mortar is the binding agent for brickwork. Because it is activated by water, colder temperatures affect the hydration ratio within the mortar. The colder the temperatures, the longer it takes for the mortar to set. Without the proper precautions, mortar won’t reach full strength, which may again compromise the structure’s integrity.

Mortar temperature should stay between 40º and 120º F. In colder temperatures, it is possible to maintain the proper temperature range by incorporating one or more of the following strategies:

 

Masonry Building Restoration in Boston | Abbot Building Restoration

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