Bethlehem, PA Job
Job Description:
This brick building had a myriad of imperfections to the masonry. deGruchy Masonry restored the brickwork with a low pressure wash and a full repointing, which always includes the removal of the existing joint to adequately key-in the new high lime content repointing mortar. | View Next Job Back to Topics |
Customer Comment:
Andy, I think the guys did a super job! Steve was always here and very pleasant and accommodating (even when the roofer was in his way). Sandy HB
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Two years later a persistent water infiltration problem corrected:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am the owner of a brick home built in 1850. Since 1999 I've had a problem of water coming in through the bricks. This water problem covered one quarter of the original part of my house, and over eleven years was spreading from the living room to the dining room. Through the years I hired many experts trying to solve this problem. Local contractors, general contractors, three different restoration experts, engineers and well known Lehigh Valley architects specializing in restoring old homes in this area. All of them offered their solution to the problem after carefully studying the house. Each summer I started a new solution only to find the house returning to its original problem by spring. So many threw up their hands and walked away from the project, having run out of ideas of how to solve it. It has been a very frustrating, frightening and expensive problem and I was worried that I would never get this mystery solved. It was by chance, through yet another mason who worked on my house that I learned of deGruchy masonry. One phone call to the pleasant and knowledgeable person who answered the phone and an appointment was made for Mr. deGruchy himself to look over the situation.
After years of experts going through my house from top to bottom, of course my expectations were low with this visit. Mr. deGruchy was at a disadvantage with me because I was skeptical before he even arrived. But within that initial 4 hour visit and inspection of my house Mr. deGruchy was pretty confident he found the problem and solution. Mr. deGruchy took the time to go over every detail of his study and followed up with written step by step plan. He answered all of my questions, as well as the ones I didn't know to ask. It was a big leap of faith for me, but one that I felt was worth a try. I am overjoyed to report that the water problem seems to be solved. The plaster in the house has been dry for three months now, during heavy rainstorms and thawing and refreezing of ice - the normal culprit that seemed to always bring me back to square one. Mr. deGruchy has installed a moisture monitoring systems in multiple areas of the walls and all readings are indicating that the moisture levels within the core of the walls have gone done. He will continue to monitor the readings himself for the next few months. I would also like to mention that his work staff was excellent. It was obvious that they have passion and pride in their work. Their main concern was always to do the best job possible and they exceeded all of my expectations, which were set quite high. I was impressed by their attention to detail, their love and knowledge of this art of restoration and their cheerful and courteous attitude. They arrived promptly each morning with a smile on their faces, were serious about their work and at the end of each day the work area was cleaned up and nearly spotless. They always made a point each morning to tell me what they were going to do that day, what they did the day before and what obstacles they faced and conquered. I have never met a more professional, sincere and honest group of men who you could see really loved what they do. Besides knowledge, which they obviously have, this attitude and work ethic is what sets the great apart from the mediocre. I am more than pleased, and yes relieved, with the work that has been done by deGruchy Masonry and I commend Mr. deGruchy for hiring and motivating an exceptional staff such as his. It is so rare to see such character in people today and it did not go unnoticed. I would highly recommend Andy deGruchy and his staff. I feel a great burden has been lifted in the solving of my water problem.
Sincerely,
Patrice M Salezze
Everyone at Moland is very impressed with you and your crew.
Great people, Great work. I enjoyed dealing with Dave, Abe & Charlie.
Can't thank you enough for all you have done for us.
Dave Healy
One of the surprises that was encountered during the job was that the reason for the tilted slates along the side of the house was there was an enormous tree root that went along the side of the house. Certainly a surprise and the crew removed the root and kept moving forward. We also didn't expect that all of the slates would have been in poor condition which is why we had to replace them with brick. Andy and his team were very good at thinking on their feet and making good decisions when problems would arise.
The brick pointing went very well and the guys were careful. It is a messy job but there really tried to keep the mess to a minimum. I wiped down the window sills and we had professional window cleaners come in after the job and virtually all of the residues are gone. Also, the group of workers is very solid and trustworthy. A pleasure to have working on the house.
One issue did happen and that was I thought that all of the necessary brick work was quoted at the start of the job but Andy later found that there was a large problem spot that he did not see when quoting the job. We worked this out but was not something that I had expected.
Andy closely inspected the job near the end and found some areas that needed improvement which they took care of and went above and beyond what was originally expected. A lot of this had to do with minimizing efflorescence and matching the mortar between the old and the new. Andy is a perfectionist which is a great asset when doing historic renovations. I know that Andy has already demonstrated his standing behind his work (needed a minor touch up at a missed spot on the chimney and was quickly corrected) which is reassuring.
Andy and his crew are definitely my go to guys for any project involving masonry.