Stone masonry is an art form that has been developed and honed over literal millennia. It’s one of the few trades that can actually trace its origins back to the oldest and most famous civilizations throughout history, and regardless of whether it was the Romans or the Khmer, tricks of the trade have remained the same throughout the world. But while these tricks aren’t hidden behind some shadowy ancient organization…most people are blissfully unaware of what it takes to create masterpieces of stone and rock that last throughout the ages.
Choosing High-Quality Materials Ensures Durability And Longevity
As with all sorts of work, whether it be carpentry, metalwork, or masonry, selecting the correct materials for the job is vital. Moreover, it’s not only about choosing the proper materials but ensuring that you opt for high quality over cheap. The latter can be tempting when struggling for money, but it will cost you more from repairs over time. This Masonry Company in Dallas notes various masonry problems that can occur over time and, in most instances, are due to lower-quality materials or poor maintenance. By choosing the best, you will almost certainly encounter fewer issues.
Select A Professional Contractor To Perform All Necessary Work
If you need some masonry work done around the house, such as building a new retaining wall or renovating an old one, the best policy is always to hire the pros. The fact is that quite a lot of work nowadays can be done DIY, saving you a significant amount of money while being able to repair things without having to wait for a contractor to show up. However, when it comes to this specific trade, unless you know what you’re doing, you can really mess things up. While you might be able to mix the cement and lay the bricks, without the requisite tools and knowledge, you risk endangering yourself and anyone else living at your property. In addition, some jurisdictions have strict codes that must be adhered to and checked by local offices.
Image source: https://images.pexels.com/photos/16239802/pexels-photo-16239802/free-photo-of-close-up-of-worker-holding-pavers-in-rain.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=600
Accurate Measurements Are Crucial
Measure twice and cut once might be an idiom related to woodwork, but it stands fast for all facets of life. In fact, it could be even more critical to masonry, particularly if the materials you’re working with cost a lot. With other materials, you can usually rework things until they’re correct, but if you’ve built a wall that’s out of plumb, good luck knocking it down and starting again. While you can definitely salvage a lot of the bricks, it’s such a tedious and messy job that you will be kicking yourself that you didn’t simply take a few extra moments to get the measurements right the first time. Anyone who has ever worked around the old guys on a worksite will tell you that at some point in their career, they’ve been told that if you have time to redo a job, you have time to get it right the first time, which is as true as it is annoying to be told all the time!
Creating an amazing stone structure of some description is far more involved than many people give it credit for. By following these really quite basic tips, you can ensure that if you do want to build something yourself, you will either be sensible and call in the experts or at least learn how to use a tape measure.