Brick chimneys
Chimneys take more sun, wind and rain than any other masonry on the house, so the top courses usually lose their mortar first, and we repoint or relay loose brick up there.
Masonry restoration in Yucaipa CA - solid joints and a wall that can breathe
Mortar crumbling out of the joints, or bricks and stone looking tired? We fix the joints first, then clean gently so the wall holds up.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free quotes on site.
- Replies within 1 business day.
What masonry restoration involves on your house
Masonry restoration in Yucaipa brings a worn brick or stone wall, chimney or planter back into good shape. Most of the work is repointing, which means raking out the crumbling mortar between the bricks and packing in fresh mortar, and then cleaning the wall once it's tight again.
Most calls start with mortar you can scrape out with a key, sand collecting at the base of a wall, or a chimney that's lost a few joints up top, and the first thing I do is find out why it failed, because new mortar over a leak just fails again. The price turns on how much of the wall needs new joints, how deep the old mortar has gone, how high and hard to reach the work is, and whether any bricks or stones need replacing and matching, which is brick repair work. The schedule mostly turns on good weather for the mortar to cure and on whether your job needs a permit, and before we start we check that with the city or county office for your address and handle the paperwork and inspections if one's needed. I come out, look at the wall and write the estimate myself, and that's where you'll see your own figure, with the work and the materials spelled out.
We look for the cause first
Before we touch a joint, I work out why the mortar or brick gave up, because a repair that skips the cause, like water running down the wall, just shows up again.
Repairs that match what's there
We're best known for brick and block repairs that match what's already on the house, so new joints and replaced pieces blend in with the old wall instead of looking like a patch.
Licensed and insured for this work
California requires a state contractor's license when a job needs a building permit, uses any other workers, or costs $1,000 or more in labor and materials, and we're licensed and insured.
How we restore brick and stone walls
Once I know why the wall failed, our crew of masons rakes the worn mortar out of the joints down to sound material, replaces any bricks or stones that can't be saved, and repoints with fresh mortar, and I'm on site checking it as it goes. We use a mortar that lets the wall breathe, usually one higher in lime than a dense cement mix, because mortar that holds moisture in pushes the damage into the brick or stone itself, and you're welcome to ask me which mix we're planning for your wall. We only wash after the joints are sound and the wall is tight, since water sprayed at open joints can get inside, rust the metal ties and stain the plaster. When we do clean, we use the gentlest pressure that does the job, because too much can chew up brick faces, wear away the new joints and strip any coating, and the usual advice is to start as low as a garden hose and go up only a little if it's needed.
Restoration often leads to the work around it. If the firebox inside turns out to be past saving, or you'd rather start fresh, we also do fireplace installation. And if a wall is sound but you want a new look, stone veneer installation puts a thin stone face over it, though I'd rather fix a wall that's failing than hide it behind veneer.
Parts of your house that often need restoring
Garden and property walls
A freestanding brick or block wall with open joints lets water into its core, so we check how water reaches it before we repoint, and fix that too when we can.
Stone walls and planters
Stone joints are often wider and shaped differently than brick joints, so we match the width, color and finish of the old joints to keep the stone looking like it belongs.
Brick fronts and porch steps
These are the parts of the house people see up close, so matching the brick color and the way the old joints were finished matters as much as making them sound.
Get a written estimate for your wall
Send the form and we'll reply within one business day to set a time. I'll come out and look at the wall myself, and the written estimate is free, with no obligation.
Photos of the worn joints help
If you can, snap a few pictures of the crumbling mortar, cracks or chimney top, so I have a sense of the job and what to bring before I come out.
Mention any recent shaking
If your chimney or walls went through an earthquake lately, tell us in the form, because some cracks don't show from the ground and I'll want to look closer.
Every line explained
I'd rather spend extra time on your questions than have you sign off on work you don't follow, so ask about any term or step on the estimate.
Examples of brick and stone masonry finishes
These photos show joint styles, brick colors and stone layouts you can point to when we talk about matching your wall.
Questions about restoring brick and stone
Here are the questions homeowners ask most about masonry restoration, chimneys, permits and hiring a mason in Yucaipa.
Will repointing my chimney make it safer in an earthquake?
No, repointing a chimney or patching a few cracks is upkeep that keeps water out, not earthquake reinforcement. Earthquake-safety guidance is clear that a chimney that holds up better in a quake needs more than new mortar. If that's what you're after, tell me when I come out so we can talk through it.
Should I have my chimney checked after an earthquake in Yucaipa?
Yes, have it inspected before you use the fireplace again. A masonry chimney or its flue liner, the lining inside the chimney, can crack even when nothing looks wrong from the outside. Note the shaking in your estimate request and I'll look at both.
Who issues building permits in Yucaipa?
The city's Building & Safety Division issues building permits in Yucaipa, and it reviews plans and does inspections before a building permit is issued. Whether your restoration needs one is something we confirm with the office that covers your address before we start, as mentioned above.
How much can a contractor ask for up front in California?
State law caps the down payment at $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less. Any later payments have to be listed in the contract and tied to work completed or materials delivered, so you're never paying far ahead of what's been done.
Can I hire someone without a license for a small masonry repair?
Only for minor work under the $1,000 line mentioned above, and the state licensing board says to first make sure that person will use no workers and that the job needs no building permits. If either one applies, the job needs a licensed contractor.
When is the best time of year to repoint brick?
One home services site recommends spring or fall, which it calls ideal curing weather for mortar. Fresh mortar cures best when it isn't baking or freezing, so we plan the work around the weather and will tell you if a stretch of days looks wrong for it.
Call about your worn mortar joints
Open joints let in a little more water every rain, so call (909) 768-8021 or use the form, and ask even if you're outside Yucaipa.