Call Irish Construction To Get Your Home Fixed Right the First Time!

Winter is fading fast into spring and now is the time to get your home ready for the real weather. Cycles of snow and ice are the most damaging weather a brick or masonry home can face. It loosens mortar, forces bricks out of line, caused other bricks to break and can heave massive concrete slabs into cracking. If you see any suspect areas in your home’s brick work, concrete or masonry, call Irish Construction for a free home inspection.

Area in box will let water leak in house and allow bricks to crack!

Winter opens the door for water damage
Although winter is rough on home exteriors, it is the rain that will get your attention if issues are not resolved properly. When a little ice and snow gets into the mortar cracks and then freezes, it creates paths that the heavy rain can flow into and cause massive damage to your home. In many cases this could mean expensive water infiltration into the interior of your house. This water infiltration often damages interior plaster or drywall, ceilings, hardwood floors and carpets. Irish Construction can fix your interior plaster issues, but by repairing the exterior brickwork these problems can be prevented.

Tuckpointing isn’t just to make your house pretty!
A lot of people hold off on re-pointing mortar joints or repairing broken bricks because the area is not on the front of the house. They figure that when the damage is unsightly, then they will fix it. Many assume you have to re-point the whole house. Well that is not the case! Irish Construction can repair one brick, one area of tuckpointing, one wall or the whole exterior. We are honest folks and will fix what is necessary, not take you to the cleaners! Our idea is that we will work for the second call, the referral and most importantly for your satisfaction!

We would have said “all”, but our attorney suggested modesty…
St. Louis has lots of fine, old homes that feature plaster finishes. Lately we have repaired a few jobs that the owners thought were hopeless. One particular job had an upstairs room that had been neglected for 30 years, relegated to storage. It is now a beautiful, useable part of the home. In another job, the plaster in the room had pulled away, but after carefully stripping down to the masonry and re-plastering, the owner’s comment was “Not only does it perfectly match the undamaged plaster, but there is no indication that it was ever repaired.” Feel free to research us on Angie’s List for the complete comment!

Before you let someone put drywall over your plaster….
Please call Irish Construction, our second or even third opinion my just help you retain your home’s original charm. More importantly restoring plaster is likely to be the most affordable restoration option. Note that in the pictures in this post there is more to the room than just plaster walls. You will note crown moldings and then there are all those windows.

The unknown costs of covering plaster with drywall.
A contractor can add up what it costs to rebuild window and door frames. A contractor can estimate what it will take to re-wiring extended outlets and light switch boxes. In some cases those costs will exceed the plaster repair, especially if your home is older and code demand an extensive electrical update! As far as that charming crown molding? Chances are it won’t survive removal to install drywall and if you only have to

Many agree that brick and stone homes have extra appeal. Brick, stone and masonry exteriors suggests success, elegance, durability and long-life. Brick, stone and masonry are ideal for patios, planters, paths, raised beds and landscape walls. These materials also have practical applications as retaining walls. Landscaping with brick and stone can also enhance a brick home’s look and value. Whether age has deteriorated existing brick and masonry landscape or you want to add a new look, Irish Construction can help.

Brick patio extends the ambiance of brick homes

If you are considering a new patio or replacing a deck, consider a brick patio. As with any major construction project, call Irish Construction for a free consultation. At the very minimum our experience can offer you compare options and material. In some cases we have suggested replacing a wood deck with a combination of a landing and brick patio to enhance the landscape and save money! Since we are also concrete experts, we can accurately estimate a variety of options.

Mild winter weather is perfect for new landscape projects with brick and concrete

In St. Louis we are having another mild winter. That means Irish Construction can do spring garden and landscape enhancements now! It is perfect weather to build raised garden beds, repair existing flower beds, add concrete, stone, or brick pathways, or repair existing driveways and sidewalks. You can have the raised beds for your vegetable or flower gardens in place before the spring storms soak the ground. This is also ideal weather to do tuckpointing existing landscape brickwork or stabilizing stone walls. A little tuckpointing goes a long way to preserve brick construction while enhancing the value and visual appeal of a home.

Don’t just fix or cover cracks, let a pro figure out way it’s happening
Lath and plaster walls crack for a variety of reasons. To permanently repair cracks in lath and plaster as well as drywall interior walls, you must figure out why the wall cracked. In many homes, old or new, foundation issues can be the culprit. Whatever caused the foundation issues must be corrected otherwise a crack is likely to reappear.

Plaster crack repairs often return to foundation issues

Any contractor that says he can cover up plaster cracks due to foundation, footing or flooring issues is probably guessing. Even the hassle of covering lath and plaster with drywall cannot guarantee a long-term repair. In many cases plaster cracks that are covered with drywall reappear as bulges, bows or new cracks. The shifting of the house cannot be disguised with tape and joint compound either! You have to stabilize the geometry of the house. Drywall and plaster don’t flex, so if the house is shifting, cracks will return fast!

Fix underlying foundation and footer issues first

Instead a proper, permanent repair may start by repairing the foundation or footing.  Irish Construction has many options when it comes to affordable foundation repair. Whether you need a corner of the house lifted, a section of subfloor footing repaired or a whole wall mudjacked level, Irish Construction has the experience to repair the real problem the first time. They Irish Construction can fix crack, bulges, or bows in your lath and plaster walls.

Signs you may need your foundation inspected

There are obvious signs of a defect in your foundation or footing. Cracks in exterior brick or stucco walls, cracks in the foundation, leaks in the basement and uneven gaps between window and frame suggest further inspection by a professional. Any crack in interior or exterior walls should prompt a call to Irish Construction. In some cases what seems like a foundation defect could be a flooring footing that has rotted. When it comes to a permanent repair of a crack in a plaster wall, footing or foundation should be repaired first! We are committed to exceeding your expectations, but to even begin to meet them, we need to know what is at the root of the problem.

Sealing your concrete isn’t just for winter and will save you a lot of money!
We posted awhile back about sealing your driveway and most of the emphasis was on protecting it from winter weather damage including the ice melt you might sprinkle on to keep if safe for walking. Quite frankly that post wasn’t worded harsh enough! Reecently we bid to resurface a driveway that was about four years old and had lots of spalling. You probably have seen spalling of concrete including chips, scarring, pitting and crumbing of the surface. The driveway died way too young!

Frankly we should have screamed that if you don’t remember when your driveway was PROFESSIONALLY sealed, just get it sealed as soon as possible. It isn’t just the damage from ice you sprinkle or the stuff your cars drag over the winter that a professional sealing can protect you from. Sealing your concrete can also protect you from age related defects such as chipping that can be accelerated by a bad pour!

A proper sealing makes it harder for your concrete to suck up salts, water, oil, gas and other chemicals. A proper sealing of your concrete can keep water from being absorbed into the surface of the concrete where it can expand by freezing causing surface damage. Maybe you have seen concrete where the smooth finish is pockmarked with areas of exposed aggregate? If it isn’t water freezing and causing the top layer to flake away, harsh chemicals like salt, gas and oil eat away and maybe stain the surface as well. By sealing your concrete you reduce the chances of this happening!

Defects in workmanship can eventually cause damage to concrete pads!

Another note, sometimes it is the actual construction that causes a concrete pad’s surface to fail. A bad mix of concrete, concrete that was in the truck too long, concrete that was poured on an extremely hot day and other construction miscues can come back and show themselves five years down the road. Sealing can help prevent how soon these issues show up by preventing the mechanical processes of freezing or the deterioration caused by harsh chemicals from accelerating the failure of a pad’s surface.

The bottom line is a professional sealing can save you thousands, if not ten thousand dollars or more. The cost of sealing is small compared to the cost of tearing out an average-sized driveway!

We can seal anytime of the year so call 314-725-9024 for a free estimate on sealing your driveway.

FAQ On Sealing Your Driveway
1. How often should I have my driveway professionally sealed?
- Every three to five years is good practice. More often if there are many freeze cycles or harsher winter weather.
2. How soon can I seal my new concrete driveway?
- Typically you should wait three to four weeks to seal a new concrete pad.
3. Do I need to seal my sidewalks as often as my driveway?
- No, you don’t have to seal your sideways as often. Driveways are subject to heavy traffic compared to sidewalks and that can cause wear the sealer off.
4. Can I do it myself?
- Sure, you could paint on a home improvement purchased product, but those tend to not be as durable as professionally available products and therefore wear away fast. In some tests the store-bought sealer was done in less than 6 months!

Factors That Make A Difference When It Comes To Concrete Construction
The attention paid to the craftsmanship before, during and after the finishing
- Attention begins at site preparation and ends with sealing the new pad after curing.
The weather conditions when the concrete was poured and finished
Hot, cold, extremely dry, sunny and wet weather can call for different practices.
The quality of the concrete is paramount.
- including making sure it is poured and finished in a timely manner
American Concrete Institute says concrete shouldn’t be more than 1 hour old when poured, though that can be drastically shortened or lengthen depending on weather.
(ASTM C 94, “Standard Specification for Ready Mixed Concrete.” Section 10.7 of the standard notes: “Discharge of the concrete shall be completed within 1 1/2 hours, or before the drum has revolved 300 revolutions, whichever comes first, after the introduction of the mixing water to the cement and aggregates or the introduction of the cement to the aggregates.) – making sure the concrete has the right additives for the temperature and weather
- making sure the concrete is allowed to cure properly including protecting it if necessary
- making sure that the air entrapment and water content of the mix is correct.
(big air bubbles are bad, small air bubbles are normal!)

Relatively Dry Weather Is Perfect For Fixing Retaining Walls Of All Sizes!
Over the summer you may have noticed sagging or bulging walls on your raised beds. Other signs like broken or missing bricks are more obvious. Well this cool, dry winter is the best time to fix these issues.

With the first freezes behind us, your garden is probably dormant and the annuals are dead. The ground is relatively solid because we haven’t had a lot of rain or snow. Plus wintertime is savings time because we can save you at least 10% due to our winter special. Fixing those raised garden beds now is the smart plan because St. Louis springs can be a very wet affair and we tend to be much busier. Soft ground tends to make masonry and brick messier. Furthermore working with wet or muddy soil chances disturbing its structure which could affect how the flowers and other plants grow. Even your trees, now entering their dormant stage, appreciate you when you fix garden structures in the winter!

Save spring for planting, let Irish Construction get busy this winter fixing up your garden retaining walls! Even better if you always wanted brick retaining walls or raised beds, building them in the winter gives the cement time to cure!

Call Irish Construction at 314-725-9024 and we will be glad to come out and give you a free estimate for repairing existing retaining walls or building all new ones! Winter work saves at least 10% of your best legitimate licensed contractor quote from Irish Construction.

Don’t let a problem over-winter because it could cause expensive damage
A lot of people hold off on interior and exterior repairs of masonry, bricks and plaster because they think these are best repaired in the summer. Take a look around, new construction happens in all but the most inclement weather conditions. It is no different for repair, patching, tuckpointing and resurfacing.

In many cases effecting an exterior or interior repair of interior plaster, exterior stucco, foundations, sidewalks and driveways should be done as soon as the problem is detected. Weather such as rain, snow and ice can wreak havoc through small cracks in bad mortar. Water that gets underneath a driveway can turn to ice and heave even the largest slab. A chimney that is pulling away can let water into a home destroying walls and ceilings.

Signs your home may have an issue include cracks in driveways, weeds growing between pavement slabs, moss in mortar joints, water staining from soffit areas, missing mortar, broken bricks, uneven sidewalks or flaking on any horizontal cement surface. All of these suggest an inspection is in order.

If you see any signs of weathered, broken, or cracked external masonry, it is better to have an experienced professional and licensed contractor like Irish Construction of St. Louis perform a thorough inspection. We can see if you have a problem and suggest the appropriate repair. Even better since winter is our slow time, we are offering up to a 10% savings on any repair or new construction. The first step is to call Tony at 314-725-9024.

The bottom line is that we can effect durable repairs or new construction anytime of the year!

Just finished by Irish Construction of St. Louis, MO (NOV 2012)
Just finished repair of a unique home Art Deco classic in O’Fallon, MO. Basically the edge of the roof above the soffit was coming apart. This area not only exposed the home to further weather damage, it comprised energy efficiency and allowed small animals to plan for their winter retreat. The Irish Construction crew under the supervision of Tony Monaghan had to basically repair the edge of the roof soffit area from scratch. The images below show the initial damage, repair in stages and the final outcome before painting.
Before and After Gallery of Stucco Repair is Automated – Click to Change Images
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Resurfacing can be faster and far less messy too!
Resurfacing a broken sidewalk, stairway or landing could save you thousands of dollars over removing and replacement. Other advantages over resurfacing concrete, brick and stone around your house include a shorter repair time and less mess! A lot of homeowners don’t realize that it costs a lot of money to demolish and haul away an old landing or staircase! Concrete demolition can be even more expensive as well as louder since it often takes a jack hammer to remove the structure and it’s footing!

Resurfacing – The quicker, less expensive alternative

Resurfacing on the other hand is a faster, generally less expensive way to repair cracked, broken, uneven or flaking concrete, stone, brick or masonry surfaces! The process retains most, if not all the original structure so there is no need to demolish and then remove several tons of material before you start!

Same area of crack after resurfacing!

Resurfacing also reduces the chances of the scope of the job increasing because of unanticipated costs. For example, there are times when the vibrations from the jack hammer cause other damage which increases the overall cost of the repair and delays the project’s completion.

Getting creative with resurfacing

color tinted stair and landing resurfacing

When you resurface landings, sidewalks and stairs, you can opt for adding color, textures, or make design changes to enhance a homes appeal. It is the perfect time to add or update safety railings or customize the surface texture to increase traction. Other options include changing the texture by adding material to the surface. Stone can be added over the top of plain concrete to match an entryway’s decor. Other options include adding color the cement finish for an elegant touch. Irish Construction can advise you on your options including updating railings, gates and fences.

A free estimate from Irish Construction could save you thousands!

Before you agree to an estimate that includes tearing out your existing sidewalk, stairway or entry landing, call Tony from Irish Construction at 314-725-9024 and set up a free consultation. This no-obligation estimate could save you thousands of dollars and several headaches! Irish Construction has over 20 years of experience repairing concrete, stone and masonry surfaces, so we know what it takes to repair your most precious investment.

Restoring old plaster or new decorative plaster, we do it all!
Architectural craftsmanship from Europe is prominently featured in many St. Louis homes. In particular, plaster was the material of choice for interior walls of most 18th, 19th and early 20th century homes. Plaster is also a favorite interior wall covering in modern, upscale homes. Plaster is also the elegant choice in many modest homes built before

Plaster repair doesn’t mean covering with drywall!

If you have a home with plaster walls, at some point cracks will develop. It is inevitable, but it doesn’t mean you will face an expensive repair. When cracks in plaster appear, many homeowners first try to patch with spackle. Don’t waste your time patching plaster with spackle or joint compound because cracks will re-appear pretty fast. Any paint applied over plaster repaired with spackle or joint compound will crack as well!

Some homeowners call a painting or drywall contractor to repair or patch plaster! Drywall and painting contractors often suggest covering plaster with drywall. At Irish Construction, a company with actual experience in artisan, classic and modern plastering, we will tell you all your options when it comes to repairing plaster! Whether you have a divots from  door knobs, broken 19th century-era molding, or an area of wall pulling away from the lath, Irish Construction of St. Louis can effectively and affordably repair your plaster issues.

Why Keep Plaster Over Covering With Drywall?!

There are a lot of reasons to repair your plaster walls and ceilings. One of the most important is the expense of converting a room or house to drywall when all that was really needed was a plastering professional to patch a few holes and secure the plaster back to the lath. Where patching could be a few days of work, removing all the molding, baseboard and window frames to properly install drywall could make a job last weeks. Then there is the mess! In many cases pulling off the molding to install drywall can cause plaster to come off in chunks, increasing the size and cost of the repair! Then there are potential added costs associated with updating electrical outlets, light switches, door frames and windows. Take a look at your room, imagine bringing a wall out an extra 1/2 inch or more. If done improperly, a room can actually look worse when plaster is covered by drywall!

The main reason to try to preserve plaster interior walls is because plaster is beautiful. In many cases, putting drywall over plaster can also reduce appeal and value of certain homes. Add to that the cost and mess of covering a repairable plaster wall and it just doesn’t make any sense to not have a professional like Tony Monaghan give you an estimate from a plastering professionals point of view!

Plaster Veneer, When You Want Drywall To Look Like Plaster!

Although not a repair issue, Irish Construction can apply a plaster veneer or plaster skim over your drywall! Until around World War II, lath and plaster was the standard and after that gypsum drywall became the standard. Plaster veneer was a way to mix the modern cost savings of drywall and provide a genuine plaster surface. If you are tired of the uniformity of drywall, plaster veneer just might be the way to get the texture you want. Also, if your home has already had interior plaster walls covered, a plaster veneer is the way to regain the artistic feel, custom textures and tints available when plaster is featured.

The Right Way To Repair Plaster Begins With A Free Estimate!

If you see cracks or what appears to be areas of plaster bulging from the wall, your first step is to call Irish Construction of St. Louis for a free estimate by a professional plastering contractor. Tony Monaghan, the owner of Irish Construction, is highly experience in all forms of plaster repair as well as modern and artisan plaster techniques for new construction. His experience with plaster began in Ireland and includes working all over Europe restoring historic buildings as well as new construction since plaster is still popular in Europe.

Don’t hesitate to call Tony for a free consultation or estimate. In many cases Irish Construction can help alleviate any stress before an estimate by talking to you about your plaster issues. Before you allow anyone who suggests using joint compound and tape to cover plaster cracks, call Irish Construction. Again, if you see cracks, it is your plaster warning you it may be separating from the lath. As previously mentioned, covering up cracks without understanding the nature of the problem will waste your time and money.

For more information, call 314-725-9024 and schedule a conversation or estimate with Irish Construction of St. Louis. Irish Construction of St. Louis is licensed and bonded general contractor that focuses on plaster, masonry and brickwork. Irish Construction of St. Louis has been in business in St. Louis for over 20 years and is highly rated by Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau of Greater St. Louis