Masonry Contractors to Masonry Repair
Alamo Masonry Repair (AMR) began as a local masonry contractor performing new construction and specializing in custom stone works building
patios, waterfalls, archways, retaining walls, fireplaces, and other new masonry structures including brick and stone homes and commercial
block buildings with brick and stone veneer. Around '97 or '98 Alamo Masonry Repair started to lean away from the new construction and specialize
in repair of masonry cracks and damage as we saw the need for masonry repair services that focused on the details and made a true effort to do
masonry repair right, and not just a patch over the cracks. When we specialized in masonry repair, we changed our name to this focus. As with any
major transition, it was not easy focusing on masonry repair. We had a lot to learn.
Matching Mortar for Masonry Repair
We quickly realized that there was far more to
matching mortar for masonry repair than just adding some pigment to color the mortar.
What we found is that most mortars had faded or darkened from their base tone of grey or white. This seemed easy enough to compensate and perform
the masonry repairs, but we quickly found problems with the masonry repair industry standard of mixing some from a bag of grey mortar and some
from a bag of white mortar to adjust this tone. While the blending of grey and white is the only way to match this tone, Alamo Masonry Repair
learned that we could not do this with the pre-mixed bags of mortar without changing the ratio of binding materials and mortar type. This was
evident in changes of color and hardness in one batch to the next on the same masonry repair project where we knew that we had measured the
exact same amounts from each container.
When we found this, we began research into how this could happen, and the answer was simple. The binding
materials have dramatically different weights, and when placed into a bucket and vibrated in transport, these materials separated into layers
inside the bucket that we could not see. These studies led us into other research to better improve the industry of masonry repair, but
we identified that to blend the grey and white tones you must mix the binding materials in proper proportions for the mortar type ratio on your
own and not use pre-mixed bags to blend.
As Alamo Masonry Repair (AMR) continued to research, I was reminded of my formal studies in chemistry and lab works. I had finally found a way
to apply the things learned in school to the career I grew up in.
Masonry Repair Services
Alamo Masonry Repair began offering
mortar analysis and matching services
to our customers to accurately identify the mortar type and compressive strength of their mortar in addition to the color matching services.
Over the next ten years, we became not only the first to specialize in nothing but masonry repair, but as we gained competition, we became the
most trusted name in masonry repair due to the practice of matching mortars completely and the professional masonry repair services we provided.
While the goal of Alamo Masonry Repair was to provide quality masonry repair, we also wanted to improve the industry and provide all customers
the highest level of quality for masonry repair, and realized this was not
possible on our own. We could only train so many crews to do masonry
repair the right way. So in an effort to reach more customers and provide them the best in masonry repair, we opened our lab services to our
competitors and homeowners. This quickly took hold, but it began to create a conflict to compete in the local masonry repair industry.
Masonry Repair in Dallas Fort Worth
This led Alamo Masonry Repair to change our name to AMR Labs, release our masonry repair training
manual and bags of custom made premixed pointing
mortar to the public, and step back and out of onsite masonry repair services allowing us to provide AMR products and services nationally. We
have leased our website for local masonry repair in the Dallas Fort Worth area to a young promising business that seems to put forth the effort
to providing high quality masonry repair services and competitive pricing.
For masonry repair services in the Dallas Fort Worth area, visit:
http://dfwbrickrepair.com and request an estimate.
We provide testing and matching masonry repair services across the U.S.
call:
(817) 366-8376
*AMR Labs*
1525 Corona Dr.
Granbury, TX 76048
Or email us:
mortarlab@gmail.com
Brick Repair Articles
Mortar Matching - "Alamo Certified Mortar Match - The First Step to Quality Repairs".
Locating Brick - Knowing where to look to find replacement brick is one of the most important factors to being able to repair the brick around your home. This article will explain how and where to find replacement bricks for your home.
When Should I Get A Service Professional? - You will need a service professional to complete your repair needs if they are for specialized projects that can become very dangerous such as archway repairs, shifting or stabilizing walls, or stabilizing and repairing wing-walls and columns.
Causes Of Cracking - Homes with brick siding often succumb to outside forces that influence the structural integrity of the brick. These forces create cracking and damage in the brick and mortar over time. The forces most commonly seen include changes in the soil due to soil type, drainage and movement as well as weather.
Common Areas Of Cracking - Some of the most common places to look for cracks and loose brick include:
Above and below doors and windows
In the angles of bay windows
Around corners
Along the edges of coined corners
Archways-above, in the corners, and in the center
Above garage doors
Throughout walls over 25 feet long without expansion control joints.
Fireplaces and chimneys
Tuck-Pointing - In today’s market, tuck pointing is considerably different. We no longer have to hammer and chisel the mortar-joints to open the cracks up for repair. Most companies use an angle grinder fitted with a diamond-carbide blade prepared for the purpose of removal of the mortar. This innovation allows us to cut the mortar-joints out deeper and faster than had typically been done prior.
Selling Your Home - Selling your home can be difficult when you have cracks in your brick masonry siding.
Brick Fireplace Repair - Many homes have brick fireplaces, but most people don’t know how to maintain them. There are a few basic things to watch for regarding your fireplace.
Brick Repair Dallas-Fort Worth - A lack of maintenance can result in more extensive damage, higher costs, and many serious concerns.
Sand - In the various forms of construction the sand used is very important. In Brick Repair, it changes the color, the texture, and the crushing pressure of mortar.
Brick Cracks - Cracks in the brick form as a result of flexing or movement in the foundation of the home.
Copyright © 2007 James R. Nech/Alamo Masonry. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED