1. Know your upkeep cycles. Most structures require tuckpointing maintenance every 50 to 60 years.
2. Match the mortar. New mortar should match as closely as possible in color, consistency, and elevation. Utilizing too much Portland cement in the mix creates difficult mortars, which can damage old buildings.
3. Never grind out joints. Just scrubby mortar should be eliminated. If someone tells you otherwise, run.
4. Never ever utilize sealers. Sealants trap wetness, compounding problems during freeze/thaw cycles.
5. Change in kind. Harmed masonry units must be replaced whole or by means of Dutchmen of the exact same material. Spaces filled with putty do not last.
-- Jacob Arndt, Conservation Specialist, Architectural Stone Carver
Radiators
6. Do not throttle a http://query.nytimes.com/search/sitesearch/?action=click&contentCollection®ion=TopBar&WT.nav=searchWidget&module=SearchSubmit&pgtype=Homepage#/Montclair Victorian Restoration one-pipe steam radiator The steam and condensate need to share that restricted area. Keep the valve either totally open or totally near to avoid water hammering and spraying air vents.
7. Develop a best pitch. One-pipe steam radiators should pitch towards the supply valve. Use 2 checkers under radiator feet-- they're the best sizes and shape.
8. Gain control. Thermostatic radiator valves are an excellent way to zone any radiator and conserve fuel. Hot-water and two-pipe steam radiators get them on the supply side; one-pipe steam radiators get them between the radiator and the air vent.
Old radiator.
( Image: Sylvia Gashi-Silver).
9. Get a terrific surface. Pros concur that sandblasting followed by powder finish gives the best, long-lasting, non-sticky surface-- however do not attempt this in your home.
10. Don't fret about fires. Even with steam heat, a radiator gets only about half as hot as the temperature needed to kindle paper, so you can rest easy.
-- Dan Holohan, Author, The Lost Art of Steam Heating.
Woodworking.
11. Usage heartwood. Heartwood is always the most disease-resistant. Sapwood of most types must never be used.
12. Rift or quarter-grain cuts are best. These cuts are the most stable. Flat grain typically broadens and contracts seasonally at twice the rate of quartered stock.
13. Set up plain sawn lumber with the heart side up. Flat lumber will use much better with the heart facing up. If there's cupping, the edges will stay flat, and only the center will hump slightly.
14. Learn to use hand tools. A lot of historic woodwork how to restore victorian woodwork Montclair was produced by hand tools, and a lot of machine-made Montclair Victorian Restoration millwork (late 19th century and after) was installed with them. Historical woodwork surfaces produced with hand planes can't be reproduced by modern devices like sanders.
15. Usage standard joinery. Part repairs should be used standard joinery instead of non-historic techniques like a wholesale epoxy casting of a missing part.
-- Robert Adam, Creator and Senior Advisor, Conservation Woodworking Department, North Bennet Street School.
Slate Roofing, refurbishing old houses.
Slate roofing on a turret, renovating old homes.
Slate roofing system on a turret. (Picture: Nathan Winter).
16. Identify your slate.To properly look after your slate roofing system, learn what type of slate it is. Simply as you can't repair a Chevy with Ford parts, you should never ever utilize New York red slate on a Pennsylvania gray slate roofing.
17. Understand your roofing's longevity. If your roof just has 100 years of durability and is 95 years of ages, it's unworthy sinking cash into. But a roofing system with 200 years of durability that's 75 years old is a young roofing system that needs to be extremely valued and effectively maintained.
18. Check your roof routinely. A minimum of as soon as a year, walk your home (usage field glasses if required) and take a look at your roofing system. If you see missing, broken, or moving slates, or flashing that looks suspect, call your slater.
19. Look around for quality. Great slaters are out there, however you have to search for them. It's worth the effort to have someone who genuinely knows what he's doing.