Why You Need a Masonry Specialist for Your Historic Home Remodel in Philadelphia

APS delivers expert masonry restoration services that preserve structural integrity and restore historic masonry across Philadelphia.

A historic home in Philadelphia holds more than memories—it holds structure, materials, and craft built to last. Restoring that takes more than a contractor. It takes a team that understands every mortar joint, brick course, and wall detail.

APS specializes in historic masonry restoration, preserving the life of each house while respecting its history. Every restoration project is guided by process, expertise, and a deep understanding of Philadelphia’s buildings, stonework, and original mortar.

Book a free estimate with APS and start your masonry restoration project with a team trusted to protect historic homes across South Philly and beyond.

Historic Masonry Restoration

A restoration project on a historic home demands more than confidence. Historic house restoration requires a specialist with direct knowledge of traditional materials, wall movement patterns, and the natural aging of structural elements over time. In Philadelphia, the wrong decision during repointing or stone replacement causes damage that won’t show for years—until the cracking begins, or until trapped moisture softens the core of the wall.

APS restores structural integrity by rebuilding with lime-based mortar that allows your house to breathe. We match brick by age, not just by color. We cut joints to the correct depth. We rebuild using processes tested on buildings over a century old. Our team handles deterioration without erasing the history behind it.

Most contractors follow instructions. APS reads the building itself. We track original work, past repairs, and the intent behind every design choice. That’s the difference a specialist brings—and it’s the reason we ask every homeowner this:

Let's see if you're ready to spot a masonry mistake.

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How Much Do You Really Know About Your Masonry?

Every homeowner wants their restoration done right—but how can you tell if it’s actually happening? This isn’t trivia. These are the real-world questions we ask on-site, during every masonry restoration project. If your contractor can’t answer them, your walls are already at risk. Each one reveals the difference between a hired hand and a specialist. Let’s see how sharp your eye is.

Which type of mortar is appropriate for repointing a pre-1900 Philadelphia rowhome?

Answer: Lime-based mortar with a low compressive strength, matched to the age and condition of the existing brick and joint size.

Common Mistake: General contractors often use Portland cement because it's widely available. But Portland is too hard for historic brick. It locks in moisture and causes the brick face to deteriorate. APS avoids this by matching the original mortar type and applying correct repointing techniques specific to each older building.

What’s the purpose of depth-controlled joint removal during a masonry restoration project?

Answer: It prevents structural damage to surrounding bricks by removing only the weakened mortar, preserving the stability and form of the wall.

Common Mistake: Non-specialists grind too deep or too wide. This damages the outer brick and weakens the wall. APS uses tools designed for surgical accuracy. Our experienced professionals assess each wall individually to determine safe removal depth before repointing.

How does improper stone cleaning affect historic masonry?

Answer: Harsh chemicals or high-pressure water can etch or strip the stone face, accelerating deterioration and causing permanent surface loss.

Common Mistake: Power washers and acid cleaners are common among non-specialist crews. These methods damage the stone's surface, leading to costly repair work later. APS uses gentle, approved techniques that clean without compromising the material. We preserve surface integrity, not erase it.

What role do parapet walls play in the safety of a historic home?

Answer: They act as water deflectors and structural support for the upper portion of the façade. Proper maintenance prevents moisture infiltration and collapse risk.

Common Mistake: Contractors often ignore the warning signs—hairline cracks, loose coping stones, poor drainage. APS inspects every parapet as part of the restoration process, repairing walls before they become structural failures. Ignoring them risks damage to both the home and surrounding property.

What type of brick bonding pattern is often found in 18th- and 19th-century Philadelphia homes?

Answer: Common bond and Flemish bond—both rely on alternating headers and stretchers to distribute load evenly across the structure.

Common Mistake: Untrained masons patch without following the original bond pattern, weakening structural load paths and disrupting visual continuity. APS restores brickwork by matching bonding, coursing, and orientation to maintain both structure and historical detail.

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The Real Cost of Getting It Wrong

Masonry restoration is not a job that allows for shortcuts. One poor decision leads to long-term structural issues, increased repair costs, and accelerated deterioration of historic materials.

Here is what typically follows when restoration work is done without a masonry specialist:

• Hard mortar on soft brick
  Using Portland cement on early Philadelphia brick creates internal pressure. The brick begins to crack and shed face material. Correcting this mistake through joint removal and repointing with lime mortar often ranges from $9,000 to $15,000, depending on wall size and access.

• Improper joint cutting
  Grinding too deep or unevenly weakens the surrounding brick. It can result in the need to replace dozens of units that would have otherwise remained intact. Rebuilding damaged sections and sourcing matching brick often adds $5,000 to $8,000 to the project.

• Incorrect stone cleaning
  Acid-based cleaning removes surface layers and leaves stone exposed to freeze-thaw damage. Within one to two seasons, the face of the stone may begin to flake. Replacing a damaged stone façade can cost $12,000 or more depending on height and surface area.

• Neglected parapet maintenance
  Gaps under coping stones allow water behind the wall. Moisture travels downward, damaging insulation, interior finishes, and sheathing. This commonly leads to structural repairs exceeding $20,000, especially when rooflines are involved.

These costs are avoidable. APS performs restoration work that preserves the value of the property, protects the structure, and eliminates the need for second-round repairs. Quality does not have to be corrected. Read more about historic home renovation costs in Philadelphia.

Why Historic Buildings Need Specialist Care

A masonry project on a historic building is never just about repair—it is about preservation. These properties carry more than materials. They carry meaning. Every cornice, sill, and course of old walls reflects a time, a method, and a standard that shaped Philadelphia’s most enduring neighborhoods.

APS approaches each restoration with respect for that shared heritage. We do not cover up flaws—we trace them back to their cause and rebuild using the original materials wherever possible. That includes lime mortar, handmade brick, and reclaimed stone sourced to match existing fabric.

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Landmarks across the city demand this level of detail. But so do the rowhomes, corner properties, and small walk-ups built before modern codes. These are the buildings that define the city's architecture, and each masonry project we take on is designed to bring them back to their former glory, without losing what made them significant in the first place.

Our goal is continuity, not modernization. Restoration means extending the life of the structure—so it stands as part of Philadelphia’s future, not just its past.

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Let’s Restore What Matters—Together

APS Masonry Contracting specializes in full-scope historical home renovation across Philadelphia. We restore brickwork, repoint stone, reinforce old walls, match original materials, and deliver discreet modern upgrades that respect the build. From South Philly rowhomes to Mt. Airy twins, our team preserves the structure, the story, and the future of your property.

Call us at 215.559.4582 or book a free estimate to start your project with a specialist—not a guess. Let’s bring your home back to life, the right way.