Renovating a building is a difficult job, especially if you have to deal with brownstone restoration. Think of it like this; you have to renovate a house that’s almost a century old, and on top of that, the house you’re renovating holds historic value and should be maintained with a particular look. This blog attempts to give you an extensive view of what brownstone restoration looks like.

Reasons Brownstone Fails

Brownstone gets its characteristic sparkle from its mica content. Brownstone is held together with clay and silica. Most of the damage is caused due to these elements’ weakness. Clay and silica used in brownstone swell after long exposures to moisture. Even when the stone dries, it doesn’t return to its original size.

Brownstone Patching Techniques

Using patching materials is a common method for recreating lost profiles, surfaces, and finishes. Almost 95% of brownstone repair in NY includes patching. If a building has been repaired previously using patches, some of its restorations can also include reworking those patches when they start to fail. But, when an old patch fails, usually there’s not enough substrate left to re-patch. The original brownstone becomes weak when the patch is about to finish its serviceable life.

Using a Patching Mix

If you’re going for patching treatment, keep an eye out for the temperature. Do the patch when it’s 45 degrees or above for the next 3-day period. Remove all the damaged and loose stone, dirt, and dust from the area that needs to be repaired. Spray the patch area with water and then apply a bonding agent. The bonding agent is a thin paste that consists of 1 part portland cement, 6 parts sand, and 2 parts lime mixed with water. 

In-Kind Repairs

In-kind replacement is considered far preferable; it includes using alternative materials for replacement. Sometimes, using stone for the repair can cost as much as patching materials. You can go for a partial replacement and remove only the damaged portions of the brownstone. After that, insert a stone piece that is tooled and profiled to match the neighboring areas to fix the problem. However, these types of repairs require professional masonry contractors and should not be DIYed.

AMN Masonry is a brownstone restoration contractor in Boston with an experience of 13 years. We have been helping people through our expert commercial restoration services in greater Boston. We strive to give you the best renovation services and a skilled workforce for all your masonry needs. Contact us right away to know more about our services.