By: Alexandra Sasha Potapov
Have you ever walked down a street of old brick row houses and noticed metal star shaped decorations attached to the brick? Well, those are not decorations, but structural bolts to brace these old building and prevent the walls from bulging and eventually collapsing.
Age and building techniques of the time contribute to the eventual breakdown of the support in these buildings. Often the beams ran connecting wall to connecting wall rather than front to back of these row houses. Add this to disintegrating lime mortar, shifting foundations and the overall age of all the structural components, eventually things begin to fail. Bulging walls which could eventually collapse, need to be secured.
Securing these walls with star anchor bolts was found to be the best solution and significantly cheaper that replacing the entire wall. The star is actually a large washer for the bolt with helps spread the pressure across a larger area on the brick wall. Because these washers or anchor plates are on the outside of the wall and are highly visible, they can be found in different shapes and styles.
How NK Construction and Design Can Help
Philadelphia’s rich architectural history often presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining and reinforcing older masonry buildings. At NK Construction and Design, we specialize in this critical service, providing tailored support to building owners throughout the city.
At NK Construction and Design, we don’t just install star bolts; we provide comprehensive solutions including structural repairs across the Philadelphia area, ensuring your property stands safe and strong for generations to come.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you preserve your building with both efficiency and aesthetic sensitivity.
