
The maintenance, restoration, preservation, and retrofit of existing masonry structures requires a comprehensive project team approach. The ultimate success and performance of the repairs, however, is dependent upon proper material selection and the quality of masons performing the work. Existing and historic masonry buildings represent a cross section of construction technology and are comprised of materials and methods that may no longer be readily available. Therefore, repairs to these structures require a systematic approach which begins by understanding the entire building envelope, both as it was originally intended to function and how it will function in the future. In addition, the individual materials that comprise the system need to be assessed to evaluate long-term performance. These preliminary steps will help inform the types of contemporary and traditional repair materials that will be most appropriate and compatible with the existing masonry.