There are four unique approaches to the treatment of historic properties: preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction. Deciding which of these approaches is best for a historic building is key to a job well done. People often throw out words like reconstruction and restoration to describe any work going into an …

There are numerous warning signs that indicate a broken chimney crown in need of repair. Completing these repairs as soon as possible can save you thousands of dollars, and even an entire chimney rebuild. The chimney crown located at the tiptop of your chimney is an important component to your …

There is a formal set of principles outlining the dos and don’ts of repairing historical buildings in Canada. These practices help protect archaeological sites and other important landmarks during rehabilitation, restoration and through preservation methods. In order for a building to be considered an official historical place with heritage value, …

It’s important to know what you are looking for when scanning a building for foundation problems. There are differences between foundation problems and normal settling, although at times they may present themselves similarly. A wise homeowner once said, “Scanning your property for signs of foundation problems is the best thing …

Repointing is one of the most common forms of repairs conducted on historic masonry, but the type of replacement mortar used can make or break an old building—quite literally. Most historic buildings in Canada include some form of brick, stone, terra-cotta or concrete block. In other words, it’s pretty much …