Masonry Restoration or Masonry Destruction?

Central Pennsylvania Chapter – Construction Specifications Institute – Dinner Meeting & Program

Presenter: Jonathan Owens, Founder of Lancaster Lime Works and Owner/President of Brookline Builders

Do you love brick? Are you romancing the stone? Does your heart break to see beautiful old masonry falling apart? Have you ever wondered why mortar is falling out or has disappeared from masonry joints, why the faces of bricks are missing, or why a brick wall is bowing out? Be our valentine for an evening of passionate explication in which Jon Owens will discuss some of the major causes of masonry deterioration, explain why Portland cement can be a detrimental ingredient in mortar, walk us through the appropriate steps in historic masonry repointing and repair, illustrate why breathability in masonry is desirable, and help us understand the composition and characteristics of mortar necessary for long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing historic masonry preservation. Come embrace the knowledge!

Learning Objectives:
● Discover what happens when the wrong kind of mortar is used for historic masonry repair, including the entrapment of unwanted moisture and increased potential and likelihood for mold and mildew growth on the inside surface of the exterior walls.
● Understand the advantages of lime-based mortar over Portland cement mortar for certain types of masonry work.
● Recognize the appropriate types of lime, sand, and mix requirements for a good, breathable, lime-based mortar suitable for historic masonry.
● Learn how to determine what mortar characteristics are appropriate and how to specify them.

See CPC-CSI website for more details