Masonry restoration in Fairfield CA - brick and stone that hold together
Crumbling mortar, stained brick or water getting in? We find what's causing it, fix that first, and repoint so your wall can dry out.
When does an old brick or stone wall need restoring?
Masonry restoration in Fairfield, CA, puts tired brick and stone back in sound shape by fixing whatever is wearing it down and replacing the mortar and pieces that have given out, so the wall keeps the weather out again.
Most people call me because they've noticed sandy mortar dribbling out of the joints, a few loose bricks or dark streaks where water runs down a wall. Sometimes it's a small patch that a bit of brick repair or spot repointing will handle, and I'll tell you straight if that's all you need.
The price mostly comes down to how much of the wall needs new mortar, how high we have to work, how many bricks or stones need replacing and whether a drainage fix has to come first. The schedule turns on that drainage work, on a permit if the job needs one and on mild weather, because fresh mortar needs it to cure, and your estimate gives you the figure for your own wall. We're fully licensed and insured, and the state's masonry license covers the brick, block and stone work plus the cleaning and clear waterproofing that goes with it.
- Raking out crumbling mortar and repointing the joints with a mix chosen for your wall.
- Replacing cracked or loose brick and stone when the old pieces can't be saved.
- Restoring house walls, chimneys, garden walls and steps built of brick or natural stone.
What happens when you call us about masonry restoration in Fairfield?
From the first call to the final walk-through, you deal with me. Here's how a restoration job usually runs, so you know who's coming, what you'll get from the estimate and what order the work goes in.
Call or send a message
Call (707) 398-2147 or use the form, and I'll get back to you to set a time to come look. Photos of the worn spots help me know what I'm walking into.
Walk the wall with me
I come out myself, look at the joints, the brick and where the water's going, and explain what's causing the damage. You get an estimate that lays out what we'd fix, in what order and what's moving the price, with no pressure to sign.
Fix the cause, then repoint
Once you say go, we take care of any permit the job needs and sort out the water problem before we touch the mortar. I'm on site with our small crew the whole time, so the person who gave you the estimate is the one doing the work.
Walk the finished job together
Before we pack up, we walk the finished wall with you so you can look over every joint and ask anything that's on your mind. The work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Repointing, brick repair and stone work up close
These photos show the kind of brick and stone work the masonry trade does, from raked-out joints to fresh mortar. They're here to help you picture the job, not as pictures of our own projects.
Curving stone-paver walkway beside a house leads past landscaped flower beds to a backyard pool and gazebo.
A large tan-and-stone house stands behind a broad warm-toned paved driveway and landscaped garden.
Concrete walkway curves beside a house, with a gravel bed, planter and black metal bench.
A wide gray interlocking-paver driveway leads to a tan house, bordered by lawns and flowering shrubs.
Square stone fire pit with flames, surrounded by cushioned chairs on a paved garden patio.
Paved walkway runs beside a raised stone garden wall planted with shrubs and small trees.
Get an estimate for your worn brick or stone
Send photos of the worn joints, any leaks you know about and how old the building is, or call (707) 398-2147. I'll reply within one business day to set a visit, and the on-site estimate is free with no obligation.
(707) 398-2147Common questions about repointing and restoring masonry
These are the questions I hear most when I'm standing in front of an old brick or stone wall with a homeowner. If yours isn't here, ask me on the walk-through.
What is repointing on a brick or stone wall?
Repointing removes the worn, crumbling mortar from the joints between bricks or stones and replaces it with new mortar. You'll also hear it called pointing or tuckpointing, and it's the heart of most restoration jobs.
How much does masonry restoration cost in Fairfield, CA?
The biggest swing in cost is usually whether you need a patch of joints redone or the whole wall, with height and the number of bricks to replace close behind. Smaller fixes like spot repointing cost less, and I'll tell you when that's all your wall needs. I'll give you the figure for your job after I've walked it with you.
What is the best way to clean old brick and stone?
The best way is the gentlest method that works, which rules out power washing and water blasting because high-pressure water is very abrasive. It can easily etch marble and other soft stone, and some types of brick too, so we start mild and only step up if a stain won't come off.
How often does brick need repointing?
One home services marketplace puts it at every 20 to 30 years for brick and stone walls and chimneys, as general maintenance. A wall that gets soaked by a bad downspout can wear out sooner, which is why I look for the water source first.
Can an unlicensed handyman do a small masonry repair in California?
Only if the whole job is under $1,000, needs no permit and the handyman has no employees. If any of that isn't true, the state requires a licensed contractor, even for work under $1,000.
How do I make an old unreinforced brick building safer in an earthquake?
Ask about a seismic retrofit, because a state commission reports that retrofits can significantly reduce the risks in unreinforced masonry buildings. Most of those buildings have weak spots like walls and roofs that aren't well tied together, and repointing keeps the brick sound but doesn't fix those connections.
Masonry restoration in Fairfield and the cities around it
Fairfield takes permit applications and books inspections through Fairfield BUILD, and if we're not sure your restoration needs one, I check with the building office first. We work across the cities below, and if yours isn't listed, just ask.