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1. Know your maintenance cycles. Many structures require tuckpointing upkeep every 50 to 60 years.

2. Match the mortar. New mortar must match as closely as possible in color, consistency, and elevation. Using excessive Portland cement in the mix develops difficult mortars, which can damage old buildings.

3. Never grind out how to restore victorian woodwork Montclair joints. Only deteriorated mortar needs to be removed. If someone tells you otherwise, run.

4. Never use sealers. Sealers trap moisture, intensifying issues during freeze/thaw cycles.

5. Change in kind. Damaged masonry systems ought to be replaced whole or through Dutchmen of the very same product. Spaces filled with putty do not last.

-- Jacob Arndt, Conservation Specialist, Architectural Stone Carver

Radiators

6. Do not throttle a one-pipe steam radiator The steam and condensate have to share that confined space. Keep the valve either fully open or totally closed to avoid water hammering and spraying air vents.

7. Produce a best pitch. One-pipe steam radiators should pitch towards the supply valve. Use 2 checkers under radiator feet-- they're the best shape and size.

8. Gain control. Thermostatic radiator valves are a fantastic way to zone any radiator and conserve fuel. Hot-water and two-pipe steam radiators get them on the supply side; one-pipe steam radiators get them between the radiator and the air vent.

Old radiator.

( Picture: Sylvia Gashi-Silver).

9. Get a fantastic finish. Pros agree that sandblasting followed by powder coating offers the best, lasting, non-sticky finish-- but don't try this in your home.

10. Do not worry about http://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=Montclair Victorian Restoration fires. Even with steam heat, a radiator gets only about half as hot as the temperature level required to kindle paper, so you can rest simple.

-- Dan Holohan, Author, The Lost Art of Steam Heating.

Woodworking.

11. Usage heartwood. Heartwood is constantly the most disease-resistant. Sapwood of the majority of types must never ever be used.

12. Rift or quarter-grain cuts are best. These cuts are the most stable. Flat grain frequently broadens and contracts seasonally at twice the rate of quartered stock.

13. Install plain sawn lumber with the heart side up. Flat lumber will use better with the heart facing up. If there's cupping, the edges will stay flat, and just the center will hump slightly.

14. Learn to use hand tools. The majority of historical woodwork was produced by hand tools, and a lot of machine-made millwork (late 19th century and after) was installed with them. Historical woodwork finishes produced with hand planes can't be recreated by modern-day makers like sanders.

15. Use conventional joinery. Component repairs ought to be used standard joinery rather of non-historic methods like a wholesale epoxy casting of a missing part.

-- Robert Adam, Creator and Senior Consultant, Conservation Woodworking Department, North Bennet Street School.

Slate Roofing, refurbishing old houses.

Slate roof on a turret, renovating old houses.

Slate victorian house renovation Montclair roof on a turret. (Photo: Nathan Winter Season).

16. Recognize your slate.To correctly take care of your slate roofing system, learn what kind of slate it is. Simply as you can't fix a Chevy with Ford parts, you should never ever utilize New York red slate on a Pennsylvania gray slate roofing.

17. Comprehend your roof's durability. If your roofing just has 100 years of durability and is 95 years old, it's not worth sinking money into. But a roof with 200 years of durability that's 75 years old is a young roofing system that ought to be extremely valued and effectively maintained.

18. Check your roofing frequently. A minimum of once a year, walk your home (usage binoculars if necessary) and take a look at your roofing. If you see missing, broken, or sliding slates, or flashing that looks suspect, call your slater.

19. Look around for quality. Good slaters are out there, however you have to search for them. It's worth the effort to have somebody who truly understands what he's doing.