Get matched with top stone and gravel pros in Oakman, AL

Unfortunately, there are many disadvantages to stone houses. They are slow to build and the materials are pricey, both of which balloon the total cost. Stone walls require a more robust foundation, which costs more to install. Running plumbing, electrical, and HVAC through a stone house is much more difficult too, so homeowners need to seriously consider if the aesthetic benefit is worth the cost of building with stone. One of the questions to ask a masonry contractor is if a similar aesthetic can be achieved with another material.

Yes, technically, you can pressure wash the paint off of brick. However, you run a much greater risk of damaging the brick and causing serious problems. If you go this route, you’ll still need to carefully choose and apply a chemical paint stripper before washing, following all instructions on the product packaging. Set your power washer to a low pressure to avoid damage.

Masonry uses units like bricks, cement blocks, and stone with mortar between them. Mortar is generally made of sand and a type of cement. Examples of masonry include the brick or stone on a house, chimney, or freestanding wall. Concrete is a mixture of water, sand, stone aggregate, and other materials, and is poured into forms or moldings. Types of concrete applications include driveways, garage and basement floors, and poured concrete walls in basements and crawl spaces.

You can hang holiday lights on brick without drilling by using hot glue, outdoor tape, or brick clips for your project. There are plenty of alternatives to consider, so consult a professional Christmas light installer to discuss the best options to preserve your brick exterior.