Home Restoration FAQ for 2022 and 2023
We’re living through unusual times, but that doesn’t mean your personal plans have to fall by the wayside. And if a home restoration has been in your sights over the pandemic, this year might be the best time to tackle the project!
We’ve heard lots of great questions lately, so we thought we’d put them in one handy blog post. But if you don’t see the answers to your questions, don’t hesitate to call and ask!
How much does home (or apartment) restoration cost?
This is usually the first question people ask, and that makes sense! Successful projects begin with realistic budgets.
Cost factors vary according to the degree of luxury you’re looking for, but most homeowners in New York City spend between $7,000 and $24,000 to update the exterior of their homes. At the high end of the spectrum, we’re seeing luxury restorations cost more than $60,000.
Which part of my exterior should I start with?
If you don’t want to restore the entire exterior at once, you might start with one project. For instance, upgrading your windows can not only improve your home’s look from the street, but it will also keep you warm and draft-free over the winter. This single project can make a big difference in your home’s comfort.
What’s the process for restoring a brownstone’s exterior?
If you have a brownstone townhouse, it might be time to resurface the exterior. Here’s the process:
- Surface Preparation – A toothed chisel is used to cut back deteriorated surfaces to a sound base, and all loose stone is removed to provide a rough, workable surface.
- Mechanical Keying – We undercut the edges of patches to form a fine dovetail and then drill holes in staggered rows. This creates a mechanical key or holding mechanism for patches.
- Washing – The surface of the exterior is washed with water and a soft brush.
- Slurry Coat – A thin slurry coat is applied with a brush and then rubbed vigorously into the surface. It consists of Portland cement, s-lime, and sand.
- Scratch Coats – Scratch coats of ⅜ inches are pressed into the slurry coat while the slurry coat is still damp. Scratch coats consist of Portland cement, s-lime, sand, and water, and they must sit for 2-4 hours between applications.
- Finish Coat – Once the patch has been built up to the required thickness, the finish coat is applied. It’s formulated to match the texture of the rest of the facade. It consists of Portland cement, s-lime, sand, crushed stone, pigments, and water.
- Surface Finishing – Finally, the surface must be finished to match the original stone tooling. This could require stippling, dry toweling, or acid etching with diluted hydrofluoric acid. Curing time is required between applications and treatments.
Once I restore my brownstone, how can I keep it looking good?
A recently restored brownstone looks so fantastic that you’ll want to keep it in tip-top shape. Here’s how to do it:
- Clear your gutters regularly to make sure water can flow freely
- Maintain your roof (repair leaks and drainage systems promptly as needed)
- Remove vegetation like ivy, which weakens the brownstone’s structure
- Fill open joints – caulk around windows and doors to prevent the infiltration of moisture
- Maintain flashing – use non-corrosive sheet metal to cover the gap between stone elements and windows and doors
- Repoint when necessary
- Clean carefully every few years, and don’t use harsh chemicals on the building
Can you help me with my roof, too?
Yes, at Z. Abedin Construction, we can handle small repairs and large-scale roof replacements at Z. Abedin Construction. If you’re not sure if you’re ready for a full replacement, we can send someone out to inspect. Many roof issues can be solved without tearing off the whole apparatus.
What do I need to know about gutters?
Gutters seem like a small feature, but they’re significant. And when they’re not working well, they can cause big problems.
When rainwater doesn’t drain properly, it can leak into your roof or pool around the building’s foundation. Left unaddressed, these problems can lead to costly issues in the future. Our gutter specialist can ascertain if you have any structural issues with your gutters and recommend how to fix them.
Did we answer your question? If not, ring us at 718-633-9605 during normal business hours, or fill out this contact form. We look forward to talking with you!
