7 Things to Consider Before Choosing Your Fire Pit

Fire Pits can be a great addition to any backyard.  Not only do they provide you and your guests with warmth, they can be a great selling point should you choose to sell your home.

There are a few things to consider before choosing which fire pit is best for you and your family.

1)      Temporary or Permanent?  If you are a renter, a temporary fire pit may be for you.  The ability to move temporary fire pits around may also be an advantage to you.  Typically, not as aesthetically pleasing than built in fire pits, these fire pits are also affordable, and come in many styles and sizes to keep you warm on a cool night.  Permanent Fire Pits, usually made of brick, are a great addition to any outdoor living space.  Not only will they spruce up your patio space, but they will also keep you and your guests warm; not to mention ward off any bugs that may be flying around. 

2)      Fire Pit or Oven, or both?  If you are into cooking, a brick oven may be for you.  Fire Pits add ambience to your backyard.  An Outdoor oven is practical if you like to cook and can also add practical outdoor living for those who spend a lot of time outside entertaining.

3)      What are your local rules regarding your new space?  Most homeowners already know they have restrictions based on where they live; usually the strictest policies come from the home owner’s association (HOA) which may have rules on what can be added.   If you live in a condo or close proximity to your neighbors, you may want to check with them before adding a feature to your outdoor living space.  A new fire pit may bring late night entertainment that could annoy some close neighbors.

4)      Safety.  Having a fire outside is a great feature; If something goes wrong with your fire, make sure you have a safe way of taking care of the situation.

5)      Size – Will this look good and fit on your patio?  Maybe you need a larger patio to accommodate your new feature.  A nice looking fire pit can be a great focal point for your patio and will likely be the gathering space in cooler weather.

6)      Will you use gas or wood?  Costs are a factor in choosing which fuel you use for your outdoor fireplace or oven.   

7)      Does your feature blend in with home and neighborhood?  You may want a very modern fire pit or oven, but the homes in your neighborhood are very traditional. 

Any outdoor feature you choose will be an asset to you and your family.  Years of enjoyment with your new outdoor feature and the possibility of your home becoming more valuable to you and others are just a bonus.

What is BrickWork?

As a mason, I am surrounded by “brick work” on a daily basis.  Simply put, brickwork in the field of masonry is when a masonry contractor repairs (sometimes by tuck-pointing also known as re-pointing your bricks) or constructs a new project containing bricks (e.g. a fireplace or chimney).  Although a pretty general term for masons, most people in the masonry field use this term; those not in the field of masonry do not really know what brick work means.  Understanding why brickwork can be important, its first important to understand the basics.   

Bricks, although incredibly durable, are subject to deterioration over time.  The lifespan of a brick can be hundreds of years; your mortar around the bricks is a completely different story.  Water is a big culprit to the destruction of many structures.  The process of bricks and mortar breaking down can be accelerated by time and mostly by moisture; which St. Louis has had its fair share of lately.  The good news is that there is a way to stop the deterioration process.

Water can be the most destructive force to all elements of your home.  The best way to stop deterioration is to begin the repair process when you first see signs of wear and tear or even better is to take care of a problem before it starts; preventive maintenance of your brick structure may help save your building.  Taking care of your home chimney or other brick features through the practice of tuckpointing is one way to stop this damage.  Maintaining your home and all its components, including bricks, can assure you have an edge against water damage that can hurt your bricks structure and lead to potential future costly issues.  One sign you may need your building repaired is the crumbling of the mortar around your bricks.   Another sign may be water damage in your home.   Either way, it may be time to call someone to repair your brick structure before further damage occurs. 

Signs Your House May Need a New Roof

The St Louis area has seen its fair share of rain lately, which may be good for plants but not someone with potential roofing problems.  Tell-tale signs of a bad roof can occur during the rainy seasons.

 

The following are just a few common signs you may need roof repair or to completely replace your roof:

• Clear and obvious signs of water damage; “spots or streaking” that appear on your ceiling. 
• Visually check signs such as loose materials such as shingles or areas near your chimney.
• Signs of mold.  Mold loves water.  Roofs and gutters are meant to repel your water away from your structure.  A sign of mold may be mean its time to call a roofer.
• Shingle damage. This can be loose or cracked shingles (or loose or broken tiles).
• Gutter Damage – gutters should be cleaned on a regular basis (most yearly).  Water damage from faulty gutters can also cause your foundation harm among other things.

Whatever style roof you have (pitched roof or flat roof with asphalt or wood shingles, tiles, or a metal roof) it is a good idea to make sure the roof and the gutter system is in decent working order to spare your home of potential problems.   An annual gutter and roof inspection is a good idea even if these signs don’t seem to be an issue.  Not only does a new roof make for better curb appeal, it can help your building be functional as well.

 

While this may not be what someone with a bad roof wants to hear, fixing a leak before it gets worse may be your only option.  This may mean getting a new roof or fixing your existing one, which may be your only option and save you future repair or replacement work.  

Moes Masonry is more than just brickwork—we fix and build new roofs of all kinds:  flat roofs, pitched roofs and more; if you find yourself needing a new roof give us a call at 314-255-8940.