10/07/2026
A few masonry hot takes from the JMS crew.
🧱 “Just seal the brick” can make things worse. People assume sealing brick automatically protects it. But the wrong sealer or sealing when there’s an underlying moisture issue can trap moisture rather than solve the source of it.
🧱 “Stronger mortar” isn’t always better. It sounds logical that stronger = more durable. With older masonry, though, mortar generally needs to be compatible with the brick. Mortar that’s too hard can shift stress into softer historic brick and contribute to damage.
🧱 A freshly cleaned brick wall isn’t automatically a well-maintained one. A clean appearance can make a wall *look* healthy, but cleaning doesn’t address deteriorated mortar, water entry, flashing issues, cracks, or other maintenance needs.
🧱 Good restoration should blend in, not stand out. People sometimes think a restoration should look obviously new and pristine. Good masonry restoration generally aims to be compatible with the existing building… matching things like mortar appearance, joint profile, brick, and overall character.
When it comes to restoration, the details matter. The right repair should protect the building and fit the masonry that’s already there.