Brick repair in Fairfield CA - sound brick and fresh joints where they're needed
Crumbling mortar, a loose brick or a crack running up your wall? We fix the cause, then the brick, so the wall stays put.
Do my bricks need repair, or just new mortar?
Brick repair in Fairfield, CA fixes the parts of a brick wall that have given out, from refilling worn mortar joints, which masons call repointing, to replacing bricks that have cracked or worked loose, so your wall sheds water and stays solid.
If the trouble is only in the mortar, like sandy joints you can scratch out with a house key, then repointing is the job, and you'll also hear it called tuckpointing. But if you're seeing a leak, a stair-step crack zigzagging along the mortar, or bricks that are cracked or wiggle when you push on them, new mortar alone won't solve it, because the brick itself needs repair.
The price mostly comes down to how many joints and bricks need work, how tall the wall is, and what's behind the damage, since a leak or settling has to be fixed before the brick. The schedule turns on that same cause and on whether a permit is involved. When I come out, the estimate shows you what I found, what's causing it and the price for your wall.
- Worn, cracked or crumbling mortar joints raked out and refilled to match your wall's color and shape.
- Cracked or loose bricks cut out and replaced with the closest match we can find.
- House walls, garden walls, brick steps and planters, wherever the brick or mortar has given out.
What happens after you call about brick repair?
I come out to every job myself and work right alongside our small crew. Here's how a brick repair goes, from the first call to the last look at the finished wall.
Call or send a message
Call (707) 398-2147 or use the form, and tell me what's going on with the wall. I'll get back to you and set up a time to come take a look.
I walk the wall with you
I look over the joints and bricks with you, explain what I see and what's causing it, and tell you straight if a smaller fix will do. You get the price for your wall before anything starts, and you can take whatever time you need to decide.
We handle permits and repairs
Once you say go, we take care of any permit the job needs and keep you posted. Then we get to work, and I'm there for it, not just checking in.
We walk the finished job
Before we pack up, we walk the wall together so you can see every repaired joint and brick up close. Every job is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Brick walls and mortar joints, up close
These photos show the kind of brick and mortar work this page is about. Look closely at the joints, since that's where a brick wall usually starts showing its age first.
Stone outdoor fireplace with a tall chimney stands in a wooded patio among cushioned metal chairs.
Curved stone retaining wall supports a paved patio beneath a wooden pergola beside a house.
A curved concrete block retaining wall with inset lights borders a landscaped patio with a small metal table and chairs.
Circular stone patio with a central fire pit is surrounded by dark wooden chairs and colorful flower beds.
Square stone fire pit with flames, surrounded by cushioned chairs on a paved garden patio.
Curving stone-paver walkway beside a house leads past landscaped flower beds to a backyard pool and gazebo.
Get a price on your brick repair
Tell me roughly how tall the wall is and have a few photos of the damaged joints handy, and I'll get back to you within one business day to set up a free look at your property. There's no obligation.
(707) 398-2147Brick repair questions we hear in Fairfield
These are the questions homeowners ask me most when we're standing at their brick wall together. If yours isn't here, give me a call at (707) 398-2147 and I'll talk it through.
How much does brick repair cost in Fairfield, CA?
Brick repair across the US usually costs about $500 to $2,500 per job, and that's what the market charges nationally, not our price. Walls taller than 8 feet need scaffolding and cost more per square foot to repoint, and one cost guide says emergency work in winter or a heat wave will likely cost more, which is why it suggests spring or fall. When I come out, you'll get the number for your own wall.
Does the whole brick wall need repointing, or just the bad joints?
Usually just the bad joints. Brick industry guidance says only defective joints need work, meaning mortar that's crumbling or cracked, has holes in it, or has worn back more than 1/4 inch from the face. I'll point out which joints those are on your wall and leave the rest alone.
How long does mortar last on a brick wall?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the bricks themselves can easily last more than 100. So it's normal for the joints to wear out long before the brick, and redoing some joints now and then is just part of owning a brick wall.
What mortar should be used to repair old brick?
New mortar should be about as strong as the original or weaker, because mortar that's harder than the old stuff can damage the bricks past repair. Think of the joint as the part that's meant to give, so the brick doesn't have to. Ask me how the mix I'm planning compares with your old mortar, and I'll explain it before we start.
Who can do brick repair in California?
A contractor with California's masonry license can, unless the job is small enough to fall under the state's minor-work exemption. The Contractors State License Board's masonry license covers work with brick, concrete units, block, stone and terra cotta. Someone without a license can only take on work up to $1,000, and only when the job needs no permit and they have no employees.
What is the best way to choose a mason for repointing?
Ask about their past repointing jobs, because a great bricklayer isn't always skilled at repointing, and you can ask for a small sample on a hidden part of the wall. We're fully licensed and insured, and you're welcome to ask me either one when I come out.
Brick repair in Fairfield and the cities nearby
Fairfield handles permits through its BUILD system, and if we're not sure your brick repair needs one, we check with the city's building office first and apply if it does. We do the same repairs in Vacaville and Suisun City.