What to Look for in a Masonry Contractor: 10 Questions to Ask
Let’s say you’re a homeowner in Meridian-Kessler with a deteriorating chimney. Or a resident of Lawrence who has a broken fireplace. Or a family in Noblesville with some brick sidewalk in disrepair. Who are you going to call? (Not Ghostbusters, although that would be cool.)
Laying Brick Over Concrete: A How-To Guide
The North side of Indianapolis (Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, and Westfield) is a hot real estate market these days. Couples of all ages are looking for their next dream home. But with any home purchase, updates usually need to be made.
In the event that a concrete patio or sidewalk isn’t meeting your expectations or desires, have no fear. A great way to give a facelift to an outdoor area is to lay brick over the concrete. One of the biggest advantages to this is that you already have an established base. You can instantly improve the look of your property without the added hassle of digging up concrete and hauling it away.
This is a fairly easy project that can be accomplished in a weekend. Depending on the size of the area, cost will obviously vary.
Here’s what you need to do to lay brick over concrete:
- Choose a brick or clay paver that you like, then create the design. Keep in mind that some patterns (like herringbone) will require more cutting than others.
- Clean the perimeter of the patio where you will lay the frame. The cleaner it is, the stronger the bond you’ll have with the glue.
- Frame your project with bricks placed perpendicular to the concrete. We recommend using a few dots (about the size of a penny) of masonry adhesive on each brick. This will allow rainwater to easily pass underneath.
- On the inside of the frame, cover the concrete with a single layer of roofing felt. Do not overlap the edges.
- When you have finished the first layer, put down a second layer of roofing felt perpendicular to the first.
- Starting at one corner, lay the bricks in place, leaving approximately ⅛ “ gap between them for sand.
- Between the bricks, sweep concrete sand in the joints until they’re full.
You can do this project, but you can also leave it to the pros. Give us a call… we’d love to take care of this job for you!
Patio vs Deck: Which Should You Choose?
There’s nothing like a versatile outdoor area where you can entertain guests, do a little backyard grilling, lounge on a lazy weekend afternoon, or even enjoy a tranquil cup of coffee first thing in the morning. If you’ve been thinking of ways to gain more usable space from your backyard, you really can’t go wrong with a deck or a patio. But which is better?
Well, it depends. You’ll have to consider the landscape and the design of your house, your budget, the look and feel of the final product, and your long-term desires. While either may be a viable option for you, choosing the right one to suit your needs is important—after all, you want to make a decision you’ll be happy with for years to come.
Wooden Decks
Wooden decks are built above ground, which can be an attractive option if you’ve got a backyard that’s uneven or is likely to have problematic tree roots in the area in which you’ll want to build. They’re also generally less expensive than patios because they require less labor to install.
One crucial thing to consider is lifespan. Wooden decks will usually last around seven to eight years before they’ll have to undergo major repair or reconstruction, though you can sometimes stretch the time a deck will last by using composites and different sorts of sealers and all-weather finishes.
Concrete Patios
While patios can be more expensive to install, they’re much more durable and will generally last for twenty-five years or more without the need for serious maintenance. Because of this factor alone, they may be the better choice just because you’ve got a higher return on your initial investment. You’ll get more use, for longer, out of a concrete patio versus a wooden deck.
Another important thing to consider is what you plan to do with the space. If you plan to install something like a hot tub—or might in the future—you’ll want to go with a patio, which will bear the weight and give you a solid (and safe!) foundation.
The Final Word
Both patios and decks have their pluses and minuses, and both are unquestionably great ways to transform your backyard space into a more versatile and enjoyable extension of your home. Which you ultimately choose depends on what suits your needs—and wants.
Our team of professionals at Brick + Ember Outfitters will be happy to answer any questions you might have, and have extensive experience working on these kinds of projects throughout the greater Indianapolis area. You’ll find some helpful information on our website, and please feel free to contact us at (317) 500-1250—we’ll be glad to help.
There's a Bird in My Chimney! What do I do?
If you’re an Indianapolis homeowner, most likely you have birds get stuck in your chimney. Rest assured, you’re not alone. In fact, this is a fairly common phenomenon.
Why does this happen?
Houses today are frequently built with small metal flue pipes instead of clay liners. These flues can prove to be deadly for animals who are unable to establish a solid grip on the slippery metal, causing them to fall into the fireplace. Chimney Swifts are notorious for this, hence the name.
How to Fix Small Concrete Cracks: a DIY Guide
Here in Indianapolis, winters can be rough on concrete, so cracking is a common occurrence. Not only can cracking be dangerous if tripped on, it can also be a liability if you’re wanting to sell your home. Not surprisingly, we hear the following a lot: “My concrete is cracked. Help!”
Resurfacing Concrete Patios 101
What’s a homeowner to do when they have a patio that’s in good condition but not very attractive to look at? You might think that you have to tear it out and start over. Thankfully, that’s not the case. Even if your patio has surface discoloration, imperfections, or cracks, there are options available for converting that drab space into a beautiful surface.
What is resurfacing?
Resurfacing concrete is a way for homeowners to spruce up their patios without having to completely start from scratch. Not only will this save you money, you also conserve resources and avoid disposal problems.
What are the different types of resurfacing?
There are lots of options when it comes to resurfacing. You can completely resurface it with a polymer-modified overlay to update your look. This gives you lots of options of color and patterns, as well as covers up flaws and discoloration. If your concrete is already in prime condition, you might consider engraving, stenciling, or staining it to give it a facelift. This can makes it look like stone, slate, tile, or brick.
What do I do first if I want to resurface my patio?
We recommend consulting a professional to make sure that resurfacing is a viable option for you.
Resurfacing can help make old patios become new. Aren’t you ready to spruce yours up for spring? Give us a call. We would be delighted to come out and share with you our recommendations for breathing new life into your space. We even offer free estimates, so what are you waiting for?
Concrete Patio Restoration: What you Need to Know
A patio should be a place that you go to relax or spend time with family and friends, especially in the summertime. But if your outdoor space has some damage, it may instead be a source of stress. Don’t let your patio get you down!
Thankfully, old or cracked patios can be restored to look like brand new. And if Brick + Ember Outfitters does it, you might even be the envy of the neighborhood. Did you know…?
- Most concrete patio repairs can be made in one day?
- If your patio is uneven, it doesn’t mean you have to tear it out and completely re-pour it. (We can offer additional, cost-effective solutions.)
- Have an old patio? We can lift it while stabilizing the underlying foundation.
- Repairing concrete patios improve the value of your home.
- We can take care of your patio repairs from start to finish. We’ll even educate you along the way!
- Brick + Ember Outfitters is a locally-owned and operated business that employs professionally-trained technicians.
- There is no job too big or too small for us. We tackle them all!
- Our work is guaranteed.
- We love the work that we do, and we think you will too!
Need some help with your concrete patio repair? We’d be glad to come out and give you a free estimate that meets your needs and your budget.
Concrete Steps: When is it Time to Repair
If you are a homeowner, then you know how quickly repair costs can add up. So you want to be wise about when and how you update, especially if you’re on a budget.
When it comes to concrete, it’s fairly obvious when it is damaged. After all, no one really wonders if they should do work to a sidewalk that looks like it’s in perfect condition. So what is it that you need to look for when you’re evaluating cracks?
Smokey Chimney?
Homeowners will occasionally call in inquiring, “why is my chimney smokey?” Or report smoke coming into the home from their chimney. The chimney is designed and constructed to pull air up, out, and away from the home. However, there are a few common reasons you may be experiencing what industry professionals refer to as a drafting issue - when air or smoke is coming back into the home, through the chimney. It is extremely important to have any drafting issues, causing a smelly chimney, addressed as the fireplace is often not the only component of a home which uses the chimney. Other heat systems such as the furnace and water-heater, are also exhausted through the chimney, which means if the air is coming back down the chimney rather than out, the natural gases from those systems may be as well.
Causes of Drafting Issues:
- Build-up of creosote or soot in the chimney’s flue system can cause a negative, or down draft in the chimney
- Solution: Chimney Sweep & Inspection
- Holes in the chimney’s flue system (between flue-tiles or throughout the liner) can also be a cause for drafting issues
- Solution: Assessment of the Flue System (tiles or liner)
- Missing Rain-Caps
- Solution: Assessment & Rain-Cap Installation
- If there are large trees directly above the flue or top of the chimney
- Solution: Assessment & Trimming of Trees
- Wind circulating from larger homes or trees that surround your home (mountains can also cause this to happen, but we’re in central Indiana, so..)
- Solution: Assessment of the height of the flue
It’s really not normal to be experiencing a downdraft from your chimney — it could be quite hazardous. If it smells smokey, or musty, or just strange give us a call, risking the health and safety of your home and those in it is not worth neglecting the issue (it could be as simple as a sweep and inspection).
Making a Home Sellable in a Season That Lacks Color and Vibrancy
Winter may not be ideal for selling a home, but to say it’s impossible to sell isn’t necessarily accurate either. My folks are actually looking to sell a home at the moment! As the winter months move in, my mother has become a bit more cynical about the possibility of selling. Less than thrilled, she’s looking for ways to make the place more appealing as we head into the grey of the winter. There are a few things that can be done to help in making a client’s home sellable in a season that lacks a lot of color and vibrancy.
A few of the tips from the folks over at realtor.com included:
Put in the Work
We’ll keep the summary simple here. It’s Fall now, so rake the leaves, but once the leaves are cleaned up, make sure things are properly and neatly pruned. When the snow hits, make sure sidewalks and driveways are shoveled. Basically the idea here is keep it clean, safe and tidy!
Dress Up Your Garden Beds
The garden beds may have had the brightness of the warmer months; plants in bloom and radiant colors galore! And, while the trees have a phenomenal ability to make dying look beautiful (leaves changing color), once those leaves hit the ground, outside of the spruces, we’re looking at less than beautiful for the seasonal plants and the mess of the edges of the garden beds that the squirrels have made, running all over the place hiding their winter-stash. Re-edging is a great way to clean the place up and give some definition to the yard!
Mix In Color and Greenery
Color in the garden beds and flower pots is a great touch for increased curb appeal for the winter season. Spruces do well in the winter months, and a list of others, but we’re not going to make a list here (www.realtor.com).
Add Lighting
During the Holiday season especially, lumineers are a great accent to any path or walkway. Spot-lights help to highlight focal points of the home, and bring a sense of warmth to the exterior. If you have beautiful masonry on the exterior of the home, this is a characteristic worth highlighting.
Don’t Ignore the Backyard
Snow is in season, but if you have a patio or a deck, keeping it cleaned off is a great way to ensure your potential buyers don’t miss any possibility for envisioning themselves in the home in the warmer months, enjoying that backyard. Any cleaning up and added color you did in the front will be beneficial in the back. Sure, mention the patio or deck in the listing, but anything you can do to help the potential buyers visualize that warm summer evening in the backyard can go a long way in the sale of your home.
Brick + Ember Outfitters’ is all about building equity, restoring beauty and growing peace of mind. Ensuring your masonry, chimney and fireplace is in safe and functioning order is essential to the resale value of your home. Inspectors will indicate any potential for concerns, so before you delay the process ensure you’ve got all of your loose ends tied up and you’re ready to move out and on with things!