Brownstone Facade Repair / Resurfacing Advice

I need some advice about resurfacing/restoring the facade on my brownstone from homeowners who have gone through the process.

1) If you had it to do all over again what would you have done differently?  Any wise words of wisdom or lessons learned?

2) Was there anything you wished you had specified in the contract?

3) Are there any issues with leaving the scratch coat exposed over the winter and putting the final coat on in the spring?  The job is scheduled to start in September.  Would it be better to wait until the spring to start?

dianeg

in Facade and Brownstone Repair 13 years and 9 months ago

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greenmountain | 13 years and 9 months ago

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I have some extra printed copies of articles from several years ago in Traditional Building.  Included is a discussion of the “Brooklyn Method” and actual stone restoration.  The building they feature still looks great.  If anybody wants copies, write to me aaron@gmcandd.com

anonymous | 13 years and 9 months ago

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you can have scrath coat over the winter thats not a problem.You may get en estimate from M.Hamid Construction CO. # 718-6331500 licensed and insured.

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 9 months ago

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Not sure about issues regarding leaving the scratch coat over the winter.  Spring is difficult because there’s oftentimes too much rain.  Fall should not be a problem.

Get the underside of the stoop repointed or resurfaced as well.  Have them include that in the price (the “storage area” if there is one).

Make sure they understand that they are to tarp the neighbors front yard area so any stray concrete doesn’t land there and harden.  Also, make sure they understand that they are not to damage any area on the neighbors facade as well either in the paint removal process or the surface removal jackhammering.

In my case, I had all the lintels and sills rebuilt but the majority of the facade was OK and I anly had it patched in.  it looks spotty now but I knew it would and I still believe that leaving the original stone was the best idea.  This was on the area above the garden level.  below that it needed to be completely restored.

Also, don’t forget the cornice work.

If you have metal railings, have them strip them entirely of the old paint.