COMMERCIAL
MASONRY RESTORATION
IN HOWE, TX.
Howe's US-75 commercial strip dates to 1983 on average — and the combination of expansive Grayson County clay soils, Union Pacific rail vibration, and North Texas severe weather has been working on those facades for over 40 years. As the southern gateway to the Sherman-Denison semiconductor corridor, buildings on this corridor need to be structurally sound and professionally maintained to compete for the new commercial traffic heading north on US-75.
What Commercial Masonry Restoration Includes
Comprehensive masonry repair and restoration for commercial facilities — from mortar joint repointing to structural wall stabilization.
Tuckpointing & Mortar Joint Repair
Deteriorated mortar is removed to a minimum depth of 3/4 inch using angle grinders and hand tools, then repointed with mortar matched to the original in type, color, and aggregate composition. On Howe's 40-year-old commercial facades, this is typically the highest-return maintenance investment available.
We specify mortar softer than the masonry units it bonds — a critical detail that prevents brick spalling and ensures the new joints remain the sacrificial, replaceable element they're designed to be.
Brick & Stone Replacement
Spalled, cracked, or structurally compromised units are replaced with matching brick, limestone, or sandstone. We source period-appropriate units to match color, texture, and dimension — critical on Howe's older commercial buildings where original brick runs are no longer in production.
Dutchman repairs — cutting out a failed section and inserting a matching patch unit — allow us to restore localized damage without disturbing surrounding sound masonry.
Structural Masonry Repair
Failed lintels are replaced to restore load transfer over openings. Cracked or bowed wall sections are stabilized using crack stitching bars or helical ties installed into repaired mortar beds. These repairs address structural movement — often driven by Grayson County clay-soil cycles and rail vibration — before it progresses to collapse risk.
Wall stabilization work is sequenced with tuckpointing so the completed facade is both structurally integrated and weathertight.
Masonry Cleaning & Sealing
Chemical or steam cleaning removes decades of atmospheric staining, efflorescence, and biological growth without damaging the substrate. After cleaning and repointing are complete, we apply breathable penetrating sealers that repel liquid water while allowing masonry to release internal moisture vapor — preventing the trapped-moisture deterioration that film-forming coatings cause.
Sealer selection is matched to substrate porosity and exposure — masonry on Howe's open-terrain sites requires products rated for high UV and wind-driven rain.
Industries We Serve in Howe
Why Howe Commercial Buildings Need Masonry Restoration Now
Howe's commercial building stock along the US-75 Business Route dates to 1983 on average — placing it at the 40-year threshold where original mortar joints, brick veneer ties, and sealant systems have typically reached end of service life. Lower median household income ($51,108) has historically meant deferred maintenance cycles, compounding surface degradation into structural facade concerns that are now more expensive to address.
The Union Pacific rail corridor running through Howe adds a factor not present in most commercial corridors: persistent ground vibration that accelerates mortar joint cracking and caulk fatigue well beyond what weather alone would cause. Buildings within a few hundred feet of the rail line need more frequent inspection cycles.
As the southern gateway on US-75 to the Sherman-Denison semiconductor corridor — anchored by Texas Instruments' $30+ billion fab campus 12 miles north — Howe's commercial facades face new competitive pressure. Businesses upgrading their storefronts now are positioning ahead of the commercial traffic wave heading up US-75.
Howe's commercial strip averages 40+ years — past prime for original mortar joints and masonry ties
Texas Instruments' $30B+ fab in Sherman drives commercial traffic through Howe's US-75 corridor
Howe grew from 2,600 to 3,571 in one decade — rising property values reward facade investment
Why Choose Griffin Restoration
Commercial exterior restoration since 2000
Licensed in TX, OK, AR, and LA
56' and 72' — self-performing capability
Full coverage for commercial projects
Commercial Masonry Restoration FAQ
What is the difference between masonry repair and masonry restoration?
Masonry repair addresses isolated failures — a cracked lintel, a few spalled bricks, an open mortar joint. Masonry restoration is a comprehensive scope of work that returns the entire building envelope to structural integrity and weathertight condition. For Howe's US-75 commercial strip, where median year built is 1983 and many facades have never received professional attention, restoration is typically the right scope: tuckpointing combined with brick replacement, crack stitching, and sealing treated as a coordinated project rather than piecemeal patches.
How do you match mortar color and composition on older commercial buildings?
We collect mortar samples from undisturbed joints — typically from protected locations under window sills or at wall-to-foundation transitions — and analyze the composition and color. For Howe's early-1980s commercial buildings, original mortars were often Type S or Type N mixes with regional sand aggregates. We match type, color, and aggregate gradation to ensure new mortar joints don't stand out visually and, critically, don't exceed the compressive strength of the original masonry, which causes brick spalling over time.
What causes masonry deterioration on commercial buildings?
In Howe, three forces dominate: Grayson County's expansive clay soils shift seasonally, opening mortar joints through differential movement. The Union Pacific rail corridor running through town adds persistent ground vibration that accelerates joint cracking and sealant fatigue. And Howe's open position on the Grayson County plain provides no topographic shelter from North Texas severe weather — hail, straight-line winds, and freeze-thaw cycling attack brick veneer and mortar joints every season. On buildings that have also seen deferred maintenance, these forces compound into structural-level deterioration.
How long does commercial masonry restoration last?
Properly executed tuckpointing with matched mortar lasts 25-50 years before the next repointing cycle. Brick and stone replacement using matching units is essentially permanent — those units will outlast the building. Masonry sealers typically require reapplication every 10-15 years depending on exposure. The key variable is getting the mortar type right: if new mortar is harder than the original brick, it will force spalling within 5-10 years, negating the investment. We specify mortar to be softer than the masonry units it bonds, following established preservation standards.
What is tuckpointing and when does a commercial building need it?
Tuckpointing is the process of removing deteriorated mortar from joints to a depth of 3/4 to 1 inch and replacing it with fresh mortar matched to the original. A commercial building needs tuckpointing when joints show crumbling or powdering mortar, open voids allowing water entry, efflorescence (white mineral staining) from water tracking through joints, or interior moisture infiltration without an obvious above-grade breach. On Howe's US-75 Business Route, where storefronts have been exposed to rail vibration and clay-soil movement for 40+ years, tuckpointing is typically the highest-return maintenance investment a property owner can make.
Related Services
Commercial masonry restoration often works alongside these complementary services.
Commercial Facade Restoration
Full building envelope assessment and restoration coordinating masonry, caulking, coatings, and structural repair into a single scope of work for maximum efficiency.
Learn more about facade restoration →Historical Building Restoration
Period-appropriate restoration for Howe's historic grain elevator complex and older commercial structures. Mortar matching and lime-compatible systems that preserve character-defining features.
See our historic restoration work →Sign Rebranding & Facade Work
Building rebranding, signage removal and installation, and facade updates for commercial properties undergoing renovation or tenant turnover.
Learn more about sign rebranding →Protect Your Howe Property
Whether you own a commercial building on the US-75 Business Route, an institutional facility, or an older structure near the Union Pacific corridor — we'll assess your masonry and provide a detailed scope of work.