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