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Bricks are still one of the prevalent materials used in both interior and exterior walls, usually seen on chimneys, fireplaces, and entire houses and establishments. They’re a bunch of sturdies and visually pleasing ones as well, so it’s not a wonder how property owners keep it well-maintained to increase its value and appeal in the long run. Besides, even bricks and mortar need repair and renovation once in a while – and this is where the magic of tuckpointing comes in. So read on if you want to learn everything that you need to know about tuckpointing, and how it’s beneficial for different brick structures.

What is Tuckpointing?

Masonry structures can slowly deteriorate and become damaged in time (whether you like it or not). Mortar joints along the bricks can weaken and turn unpleasant due to harsh weather, a severe accumulation of water and moisture, and maybe through force. Although you can do a complete rebuild of your brick structure to start anew, tuckpointing is a nifty repair process that saves both time and costs for the average joe. 

In simple terms, tuckpointing removes old mortar from the bricks and replaces it with something as good as new. Not to mistake it for “repointing” though, as instead of simply replacing the mortar, tuckpointing also has an added step of embedding it with contrasting lines in the middle to form grooves. This gives the brick surface a crisper illusion of straight lines just like brand new masonry. Neat right?

How does it work?

Property owners who have the experience can definitely try it out as a DIY project, though the tuckpoint process is still labor-intensive, requires time and materials, and the precision to draw on and level mortar along the joints so it wouldn’t look like a clumsy job done. The general procedure looks like this:

1. Grounding and removing the old mortar to at least an inch, manually or with a grinder.
2. Mixing the new mortar to match the color, before filling it within the grooves.
3. Flattening the wet mortar according to your desired look.
4. Using a straightedge or tuck pointer tool to form the straight lines in the center. 

There is, of course, the option of hiring a professional tuck pointer instead of dealing with the complicated process. After all, it’s more advisable to leave it to the experts when dealing with larger spaces and keeping your peace of mind at bay.

Why Do I Need Tuckpointing?

Aside from giving your masonry a needed restoration, tuckpointing can offer a lot of benefits and is definitely an investment worth saving for. For one, you’ll save your brick and mortar from completely collapsing due to corrosion and deterioration. Trust us, a weak structure is the last thing you want to stick with. Another advantage of tuckpointing is it safeguards your masonry joints from the horrors of stormy weathers: water, moisture, mildew, mold, and other destructive elements. 

Tuckpointing St. Louis

Lastly who wouldn’t jump at the chance to not only save time and prevent a complete reconstruction but also make sure that your masonry is always in great and quality condition? With a few tuckpoints here and there, you can find yourself with a brand-new looking chimney, or a fireplace, or your entire brick house, as soon as possible. And you should seriously consider calling on a tuckpointing company like us for a reliable assessment and the best results.

People often underestimate the great value that comes with taking care of a certain asset: trees. Yes, there is more to them than just being the decorative greens making your backyard look “fresh”. Once the first hints of summer start kicking in (or for any other season, for that matter), you may want to consider hiring a tree service to keep your trees in tip-top shape – after all, it’s one of the sources of shade and cooling against the scorching heat. Not to mention how you probably want your trees to look neat with everyone going outdoors.

So, where do you start? Simply typing in “tree service near me” may end you up in various arborists with a range of services. What you need to hire is a professional tree service company, one with a knack for tree trimming experience and the highest set of quality standards under their belts. How? Stick around for these useful tips that you need to know about hiring a tree service as the summer arrives.

1. Do your research

One of the most important things to consider when hiring a tree service is safety. Tree care operations are critical and need plenty of pre-requisites, such as having the necessary licenses, following industry safety protocols, having qualified staff, and even providing insurance for their clients in case anything doesn’t go according to plan. So, if you want to keep that peace of mind as you call that number, make sure that the tree company is experienced and within your local radar (like us!) – it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

2. Know the tree service you need

Once you get a gist of the “who’s”, then it’s necessary to think of the “what’s”. What exactly does your tree need? Do you need to cut a couple of branches? Prune young trees to develop their health? Remove some dead stumps? Many tree services can be offered to you once you’re on the line, such as quality tree trimming, tree pruning, tree and stump removal, and even efficient plan and tree care. You can simply call your chosen tree company for insightful recommendations and perhaps even set up an appointment so they can inspect it for you and align it to your needs.

3. Double check on the company

If you want to get the best experience and high-quality results, then it doesn’t hurt to get to know more about the company you decided on hiring. Know their reputation and how long they’ve been on the business (5 years minimum, preferably), check on their portfolios and the reviews left from their clients, and verify the products and equipment that will be used. Once you get these straight, chances are, you won’t end up with an amateur guy with a truck and a chainsaw around your valuable trees. 

4. Get an estimate

Most tree service companies allow free estimates when you call to hire. This is your chance to compare the tree service costs from different quotes and see what’s being charged, while also checking whether the work is worth the price. If you’re hoping to look for a quality tree company that has all these in check, why don’t you give us a call and find out?

You’re probably here because you’ve taken a closer look at your roof, at how it has lasted for decades, looking worse for wear with cracked roof tiling and damaged parts. And building owner or not, hearing about a non-functional, worn-down roof is enough for anyone to step right into the action (unless one would prefer a constant leaking somewhere in the interior). If your roof barely holds on beyond any repair you’ve attempted, or perhaps you’ve just started building a house from scratch, then it’s time to face the truth of the matter: you need a roofing installation service right now. It’s quite a daunting task that requires time and money but having a roof that is sure to provide protection and foundation is worth any future risks.

Besides, what are expert roofing companies here for?

You can search for “roofing companies near me” and find yourself with plenty of professionals that are willing to accept your call. That is – if you know who you should be calling. Obviously, leaving it to unlicensed and amateur roofers is a huge no-no. But here are some tips to consider when hiring the best roofing company that’s perfect for your roofing installation project.

1. Go over their credibility

The first thing that you should look for when searching for a qualified roofing company is to search for proof that they are, indeed, a team of professionals. Having licenses, certifications, being years in the roofing installation service, giving you insurance, and following industry standards are good signs that you and your property are in safe hands, and not to mention keeps you away from unnecessary stress and trouble.

2. Go through their works and reviews

Nothing provides a more solid evidence other than looking through their projects and client ratings and feedback. Peek through the roofing that they’ve installed and ask yourself if you want the same thing on top of your establishments. You can also look through their roofing services, if whether what they say reflects on the quality of their work. As for the customer feedback, it’s simple: high ratings are a go, negative reviews are a no. Read through all the information in their websites, social media, or any platform that suggests that they are a reliable roofing contractor around your area.

3. Prioritizes quality 

This can be a tough nut to crack, but there are plenty of factors that can lead you to picking a leading roofing company. Make sure that they’ve got years of experience under them, with multiple roofing services offered to gauge their skills. Having a well-trained staff, safety protocols, and advanced equipment and techniques are also definite go signals and can lead you to a roofing company that is not only qualified for the work, but is sure to provide you guaranteed satisfaction and high-quality roofing installations. Trust us – it’s worth it knowing that your roof will last through decades and bring immense value to your property. If you want a head-start with your roofing installation project and are deciding on a good company with all these great characteristics in check, you may want to give our roofing company a shot (or a call, for that matter).