Masonry Restoration Work & Cold Weather Considerations (#1 in a Series)

Stories From the Field

Masonry Restoration Work & Cold Weather Considerations

Friday January 20, 2017

Winter weather in Chicago is anything but predictable. Last year the balmy late-season weather allowed our masons to work until just a few days before Christmas. This year, the first cold snap arrived shortly after Thanksgiving, followed by early December snows, followed by a lovely stretch of balmy January weather. (I saw lightning in the skies last night, and this weekend’s temperatures are predicted to reach the mid-50s!)

Work Conditions

• Mortar joints need a minimum of three days of above-freezing weather day and night to cure correctly.
• If mortar freezes early on during the curing process, it may not perform as expected.
• Adding mortar conditioners or accelerants can prevent freezing but reduces the integrity and longevity of the mortar significantly.

AAA-1 Masonry's Approach

• Only performs cold weather work if the job site is heated around the clock.
• The site must be wrapped in tarpaulins or plastic and heated continuously.
• Heat is piped to the site 24/7 to maintain temperatures above freezing.
• Other masonry restoration companies typically turn off their heaters at the end of the day, leading to nightly freezing and morning thawing of the mortar.

Example of AAA-1 Masonry's Effort

To ensure the January worksite temperatures never dipped below 45 degrees day and night, AAA-1 Masonry completely enclosed this commercial building’s facade and piped in heat. This extra effort allowed the brickwork to cure correctly and should last for generations.

Important Consideration

When your next masonry project extends into the colder months, make sure your contractor understands the importance of maintaining above-freezing worksite temperatures day and night.