Benchmark Harris & Alan Pettingale: Innovations in Masonry Restoration

Brick Talk Live: Masonry Restoration in Texas with Experts Alan Pettingille and Benchmark Harris In this episode of Brick Talk Live, host Gillian Lancaster welcomes masonry restoration specialists Alan Pettingale and Benchmark Harris. They discuss their experiences and challenges in preserving historic buildings, sharing their journey from their first meeting to their collaborative workshops. The conversation dives into the intricacies of masonry restoration, the role of The Masonry Society, and the importance of codes and patents in ensuring public safety. The guests also talk about their inventions aimed at improving masonry restoration and isolating plumbing from expansive soils. Listeners are treated to insights on historical projects, innovative solutions, and the camaraderie that develops through shared preservation efforts. 00:00 Introduction to Brick Talk Live 00:11 Meet the Experts: Alan and Benchmark 00:50 First Encounters and Early Challenges 01:39 Innovations and Patents in Masonry 03:09 The Importance of Collaboration 04:16 Historic Projects and Personal Stories 07:47 The Role of Codes and Regulations 17:14 Memorable Workshops and Adventures 26:48 Memories on Set and Historical Anecdotes 27:31 Evolution of Building Technology 28:18 Historic Building Kits and Facades 29:21 Empirical Masonry and Engineering Challenges 36:58 Inventions and Innovations in Masonry 40:58 The Mudskipper Invention and Plumbing Issues 45:10 Challenges in the Engineering Industry 54:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts