Tuckpointing, sometimes referred to as repointing, is the process of repairing the mortar joints in stone or brick masonry walls by grinding or raking out old mortar then filling in the space with new mortar. In Texas –as well as surrounding areas- tuckpointing is often needed to update older homes or in situations where significant water damage has caused deterioration. It can be a labor-intensive job, so should not be approached by the [...]
Whether you are a first time homeowner or buying or selling a home, you are undoubtedly familiar with the need for a home inspection. Omega Masonry has a special team of field agents who understand your realtor’s need for verification about the soundness of load-bearing brick walls, the strength of a stone or brick retaining wall, chimney integrity, fireplace functionality, and the reliability of a home’s decorative elements. You can count on Omega [...]
While not every home or business location in the Texas area is built out of brick, many of them do have brick chimneys or fireplaces. And while these decorative, yet functional design elements might not require a large amount of yearly maintenance, they are not design elements that should be ignored. In fact, if chimney maintenance is overlooked, you will eventually find yourself dealing with sometimes rather extensive chimney repairs such as loose [...]
Why should you opt for CMU walls for your next build? For many business owners in Texas there is no reason not to. After all, concrete masonry units (CMU) are one of the oldest and most reliable building materials available. They are typically made from products such as Portland cement, various aggregates like quartz or stones and water. They can be solid or hollow, and designed with either two or three voids, and [...]
As Texans, we are all aware of the value of friendship and hospitality – after all, it’s the Southern way. We love having friends over for some Texas BBQ, sitting outdoors and enjoying a cool evening, and sharing time together on the patio or around the pool. However, with this friendliness also comes the need for our space. It is then that the adage gleaned from American poet Robert Frost, “Good fences make [...]
There is something quite majestic about a brick fireplace and the warmth – both physically and aesthetically- that it provides to a home. They offer a nostalgic, cozy charm to any home and can last for years. However, this does not mean that a brick fireplace will last forever and never need any repair work done. Think about it. The fireplace and chimney is one of the few elements of your home that [...]
If you are looking for a great exterior siding for your Texas home, then don’t overlook the simplicity of stucco. As a favorite home exterior choice in the southwestern US for many years, it a perfect choice when revamping –or initially building- your home’s exterior. As a home exterior that has stood the tests of time, stucco provides a unique, stylish siding for your home, and allows you a great deal of flexibility [...]
It is our experience that most homeowners who see cracked brick walls, deteriorating brick, or bulging brick walls around their home are immediately concerned about structural failure, settling, or foundational issues. While, in some instances the worst may be true; brick wall issues are far more likely to be caused by small cracks or holes in the mortar. Once moisture enters the breach, it spreads along the least path of resistance, creating lengthy [...]
Your retaining wall is not just a bit of masonry that adds beauty or architecture to your Texas property. Nor is it simply a way to show off your style or landscape design or to provide you with some seating at the back of your property. Though all of these uses would be true. However, your retaining wall serves a unique purpose – to hold back or retain the soil behind it. The [...]