Worn joints on house walls
When mortar crumbles under a fingernail or sits back from the face of the brick, water gets in behind it. New joints keep the wall shedding rain the way it should.
Brick repair in Yucaipa CA - joints and cracks closed to match the rest of your wall
Mortar crumbling out of the joints or a crack running through your brick? We find the cause first, then repair it to match.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free quotes on site.
- Replies within 1 business day.
What brick repair involves at your house
Brick repair in Yucaipa usually means cutting worn mortar out of the joints and replacing it, which masons call repointing, and resetting or replacing broken brick, so your wall keeps water out and holds together.
Most calls we get are about mortar sanding out of the joints, a crack stepping up through a wall, or a few bricks that have worked loose near a downspout or a chimney. The price depends on how much of the wall needs new joints, how many bricks have to come out, how hard your brick and mortar are to match, how high we have to work, and whether a drainage problem has to be fixed first. The schedule depends mostly on whether a crack needs watching before we close it and on getting mild weather so the mortar sets. I put all of it in the estimate, so you see the work and the materials before you decide.
Repairs that match the wall
We're best known for brick and block repairs that match what's already there, so a patched section of your wall doesn't stand out as the new part.
On site while the work happens
Our masons do the brick and mortar work, and I'm there checking it as it goes, so the person who wrote your estimate makes sure it's followed.
Licensed for home repair work
California counts repairs to a house, and to the patios, fences and other structures beside it, as home improvement work, which calls for a state contractor's license. We're licensed and insured.
How we repair brick and why
First I look for where the water's coming from, because a leaking downspout or poor drainage can wash a lot of mortar out of a wall, and new joints won't last if that water keeps running. We get that fixed before any mortar work starts. We'll often watch a crack for a while to see whether it moves. A crack that opens in cool weather and closes in the heat usually needs a flexible sealant, while one that stays put can be filled with mortar. Then our masons cut the worn mortar out of the joints, reset or replace damaged brick, and pack in new mortar matched to your brick and the old joints. I'll tell you which mix we plan to use, because a hard mortar heavy in portland cement lets less moisture through than the brick around it and can make that brick break down faster. We finish the joints to match the rest of the wall and clean up before we leave.
Brick repair often connects to other work around the yard. If the cracked brick is holding back a slope, the lasting fix may be closer to retaining wall construction, since the soil and water behind it are part of the problem. If water from the driveway runs toward the house and soaks the brick, driveway pavers laid to slope away from the wall can help keep it dry.
Where brick usually needs repair
Chimneys and fireplace brick
Older chimneys can crack and fall away from a house during or after an earthquake, and loose fireplace brick can be a hazard indoors, so cracked chimney brick is worth having checked.
Garden and yard walls
Freestanding brick walls along a yard or patio take weather on both sides and usually lose mortar at the cap and the base first, so we check those spots closely.
Steps, planters and porch brick
Brick steps and planters sit where water collects, so open joints and loose bricks show up there early. Resetting them keeps a step from rocking and stops soil washing through.
Get a written estimate for your brick repair
We reply within one business day to set a time. I come out, look at the wall and the drainage around it, and you get a free written estimate with no obligation.
Photos help us prepare
Send photos of the cracks or worn joints, tell us which part of the house is affected, and mention any leaking downspout nearby, so I know what to look at first.
The estimate spells it out
Your written estimate lists the work and the materials, including the mortar mix, so you can ask about anything before you agree. Every job is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Yucaipa and nearby cities
We're based in Yucaipa and work across the cities around it, including Redlands, Calimesa and Beaumont. If you're not sure whether we come out to you, just ask.
Brick, block and stone wall examples
Examples of joint finishes, brick colors and wall layouts you can point to when we talk about matching your repair.
Brick repair questions from Yucaipa homeowners
Plain answers to the questions people ask most before they hire someone to repair brick or repoint mortar joints.
How often does brick need repointing?
One cost guide estimates that brick walls and chimneys usually need repointing every 20 to 30 years as routine upkeep. That means you can plan joint work on that cycle instead of waiting for mortar to fall out. If your house has gone longer than that, it's worth having the joints checked.
Should I seal or paint my brick to keep water out?
Usually not, because waterproofing chemicals and paints or coatings that don't let moisture through trap water behind them and make the brick decay faster. Fixing where the water gets in and repairing the joints does more for the wall. I'm happy to go over what's causing the damp before you buy anything.
Who issues building permits in Yucaipa?
The City of Yucaipa's Building & Safety Division issues building permits and reviews plans before it issues them. Before we start, we check with the city or county office that covers your address about what your brick job needs. If a permit is required, we handle the paperwork and inspections and tell you if anything needs your signature.
Can a handyman take on a small brick job in California?
Only a very small one. California lets someone without a contractor's license do jobs under $1,000, but only when the work needs no permit and nobody else is working for them on it. A brick repair that needs a permit doesn't qualify, so it calls for a contractor licensed by the state board.
Why does white powder keep showing up on my brick wall?
White powder that keeps coming back usually means water is getting into the wall and staying there. Some bloom right after new brickwork is just normal drying, but if it returns after that, find where the water gets in before you repair the brick.
Have your brick wall looked at
If a crack needs watching, the sooner I see it, the sooner we know whether it's moving. Call (909) 768-8021 or use the form.