The Mortar Notes
The Mortar Notes
Plain-English guides on bonds, mortar, cracks, chimneys, patios and walls, written to be read in a few minutes.
The ProcessBuying or Selling a Brick Home: What a Masonry Look FindsJoints, chimneys, lintels and foundations: what a masonry inspection checks and why it helps both sides of a sale.
The ProcessWhat to Expect When We Rebuild a WallFrom the first look to the last cleanup: the order of work on a masonry rebuild and what you will see each day.
Patios and Outdoor LivingRetaining Walls: Why Drainage Decides EverythingMost retaining walls fail because of water, not weight. How a good wall handles both.
Patios and Outdoor LivingPlanning an Outdoor Kitchen That LastsFootings, utilities, counters and layout: the choices that make an outdoor kitchen work for years.
Patios and Outdoor LivingPaver Patio Basics: The Base Is EverythingWhy the part of a paver patio you cannot see decides how long it stays flat, and how it is built.
Chimneys and FireplacesChimney Crowns, Caps and Liners ExplainedThree parts that protect a chimney from the top and from the inside, and what each one does.
Chimneys and FireplacesSigns Your Chimney Needs AttentionCrumbling mortar, white stains, rust and water marks: the signs a chimney is asking for help before winter.
Repair and RestorationHow to Read Cracks in Brick and BlockHairline, vertical, horizontal or stair-step: what each kind of crack usually means and when to call for help.
Repair and RestorationWhat the White Powder on Your Brick MeansEfflorescence is salt carried out of the wall by water. What it tells you and how to deal with it.
Repair and RestorationWhy Old Brick Needs Soft MortarHard modern cement can crack soft old brick. Why matching the mortar to the wall protects it.
Planning and MaterialsRunning Bond, Flemish or Herringbone: Choosing a Brick PatternThe pattern changes the character of a wall or a patio. How the common bonds look and where each one works best.
Planning and MaterialsBrick or Stone: Which Is Right for Your Home?Brick and stone both last for generations. How they look, how they are built and the questions that help you choose.Have a question that is not here?
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