What do I look for when buying a brick house?

• <div><p>There are many things to look for when buying a brick house. Here are some of the key things you should pay close attention to.</p><ul><li><p><b>Lintels:</b> Look for cracks, holes, displacement, or corrosion</p></li><li><p><b>Mortar:</b> Check to see if the mortar is old and crumbling, in need of repointing, or new. Also check to see if the mortar has a professional finish.</p></li><li><p><b>Walls:</b> Check along each side of the house. If a wall is bowing outward, this indicates a severe issue such as foundation damage or that the walls are ready to fall.</p></li><li><p><b>Cracks:</b> If there are stair step cracks in the brickwork, this indicates an unstable foundation.</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Is brick staining a good idea?

• <div><p>Yes, staining your home’s brick is a great idea if you’re looking to freshen up its appearance. It’s also helpful for preserving your bricks so they don’t crack or chip over time. Finally, staining your bricks is a perfect DIY project, as most handy homeowners can do the project in a few days. </p></div>

Get matched with top stone and gravel pros in Seward, AK

Q: What are the disadvantages of a brick home?

• <div><p>Whether you&rsquo;re installing brick siding over a traditionally-framed home or you&rsquo;re using genuine brick construction to build, the biggest downside of a brick house is the higher cost you&rsquo;ll pay for the materials and labor. Real brick construction also means <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-long-it-takes-to-build-custom-home.htm">your home build will take</a> longer, as it&rsquo;s more time-consuming to construct brick walls than it is to frame out your home.</p></div>

Q: Is brick staining a good idea?

• <div><p>Yes, staining your home&rsquo;s brick is a great idea if you&rsquo;re looking to freshen up its appearance. It&rsquo;s also helpful for preserving your bricks so they don&rsquo;t crack or chip over time. Finally, staining your bricks is a perfect DIY project, as most handy homeowners can do the project in a few days. </p></div>

Q: What is the best thing to clean brick with?

• <div><p>For most masonry cleaning jobs, you should use a masonry sponge and a gentle cleaner like dish soap, vinegar, or a dedicated fireplace or masonry cleaner. Harsher bleach-based or ammonia cleaning agents should only be used if necessary and never mixed together.</p></div>

Q: What does mortar do?

• <div><p><a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/what-are-most-common-masonry-materials.htm">Mortar is a mixture of sand and cement</a> that binds materials, such as bricks, stones, and concrete blocks, together. Think of it as the glue that fills in the gaps between bricks and stones, then seals them in place to prevent damage or deterioration. Mortar also helps spread the load across a wall or structure, keeping cracks and shifting at bay. </p></div>

Enter your ZIP and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your stone and gravel service project in Seward, AK?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Verified Reviews for Stone And Gravel Service pros in Seward, AK

*The Angi rating for Stone And Gravel Service companies in Seward, AK is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Stone And Gravel Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Stone And Gravel Service companies in Seward, AK is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Stone And Gravel Service needs.

Last update on December 06, 2025

Reviewed in March 2018
Hired Ace II to add a haul a few loads of gravel to my property to add to the existing gravel driveway. The bid included spreading and compacting. Also had them install two small block retaining walls, remove a few stumps, spread some topsoil, etc. We had a signed contract with a fixed price and...
Ace II General Contractors
Request a quote
Reviewed in August 2014
They were on time and were very flexible to changes we wanted as the gravel work was done. With the changes we made they kept the cost very reasonable.
CADDO CONSTRUCTION
Request a quote
Reviewed in July 2014
Because this was just a little residential job, it was tough to schedule Rox Asphalt. Getting all that fancy equipment and a team of guys on site for so little work took awhile to work into their schedule. In the end they showed up sort of by surprise late one Wednesday afternoon, fortunately...
Rox Asphalt
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2013
It took three weeks to get the lawn sprayed. They arrived with no notice, and unfortunately no one was home. There were no instructions left. We ordered two, 8 cubic yard, gravel deliveries. My husband, who is an engineer with plenty of experience in this area, knows that the deliveries were...
A-1 Lawn & Landscaping
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2012
Roof: Rick sent 3 crews of roofers in February because the weather was great. It turned out that some of the plywood under the old roof needed to be replaced. The roofers handled that with the expert care they did for everything else. They put a new roof on the house and garage in 1 day!!...
Honest Exteriors - Southern Maryland
Request a quote
Reviewed in August 2012
I was really worried paving so much driveway would prove too difficult and leave a lot of unevenness, lines, and low spots. None of that happened in the finished product. All 6,000 feet of my driveway is seamless and even. What really impressed me is that they paved two of my next door...
Pioneer Peak Asphalt
Request a quote
Reviewed in July 2012
We don't know how much we spent on their services. They are friendly and efficient. They have the proper equipment and 7.24, fantastic equipment. All of us here in this general area use them. Their pricing is okay. We've had them before as well. We had to have a tree removed because we...
Gage Tree Service
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2012
I had a new lawn put in the last time they were here; so they are going to be here again this spring. The price charged by them wasn't bad. The other companies wanted about $3000, $4000 and $5000. Alberto did a good job and he is going to be up-keeping the lawn. I haven't called him yet. He...
ALBERTO'S LAWN & LANDSCAPE
Request a quote
Reviewed in July 2011
The owner of the company came out, measured and within a few days had an estimate for me. I was out of state at the time and he was kind enough to send me photos and the estimate of granite he had available. He advised that if I accepted and made a choice in granite within a couple of days, he...
Prestige Stone & Tile
Request a quote
Reviewed in July 2007
I am SORELY disappointed with the installation of my new gravel driveway. Had specific concerns that I wanted to discuss with contractor on-site prior to construction but he repeatedly refused to meet and ultimately put in driveway with no regard for my concerns or even common sense (i.e. 6 of...
EAST COAST PAVING & CONCRETE INC
Request a quote

Find Stone and gravel pros in Seward

Aurora Construction

No reviews yet

Aurora Construction

No reviews yet

*Coming soon*

Stone and Gravel questions, answered by experts

Whether you’re installing brick siding over a traditionally-framed home or you’re using genuine brick construction to build, the biggest downside of a brick house is the higher cost you’ll pay for the materials and labor. Real brick construction also means your home build will take longer, as it’s more time-consuming to construct brick walls than it is to frame out your home.

There are many things to look for when buying a brick house. Here are some of the key things you should pay close attention to.

Lintels: Look for cracks, holes, displacement, or corrosion
Mortar: Check to see if the mortar is old and crumbling, in need of repointing, or new. Also check to see if the mortar has a professional finish.
Walls: Check along each side of the house. If a wall is bowing outward, this indicates a severe issue such as foundation damage or that the walls are ready to fall.
Cracks: If there are stair step cracks in the brickwork, this indicates an unstable foundation.

Yes, staining your home’s brick is a great idea if you’re looking to freshen up its appearance. It’s also helpful for preserving your bricks so they don’t crack or chip over time. Finally, staining your bricks is a perfect DIY project, as most handy homeowners can do the project in a few days.

For most masonry cleaning jobs, you should use a masonry sponge and a gentle cleaner like dish soap, vinegar, or a dedicated fireplace or masonry cleaner. Harsher bleach-based or ammonia cleaning agents should only be used if necessary and never mixed together.

Mortar is a mixture of sand and cement that binds materials, such as bricks, stones, and concrete blocks, together. Think of it as the glue that fills in the gaps between bricks and stones, then seals them in place to prevent damage or deterioration. Mortar also helps spread the load across a wall or structure, keeping cracks and shifting at bay.

The Seward, AK homeowners’ guide to stone and gravel services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Angi
•
Oct 18, 2025Oct 18, 2025
How Much Does a Gravel Driveway Cost? [2025 Data]
Discover the average gravel driveway cost, including price ranges, installation factors, and tips to help you budget for your new gravel driveway.
Angi
•
Oct 18, 2025Oct 18, 2025
How Much Does a Gravel Pad for a Shed Cost? [2025 Data]
Discover the average gravel pad for shed cost, including installation, materials, and tips to save money. Get a detailed breakdown to plan your shed foundation project.
Kelly Weimert
•
Mar 3, 2025Mar 3, 2025
What’s the Difference Between Large Gravel and Small Gravel, and Why Is it Important?
Wondering whether to use large or small gravel? This guide breaks down the key differences based on factors like drainage, stability, and maintenance to help you choose the right size for your project.
Scott Dylan Westerlund
•
Mar 14, 2025Mar 14, 2025
How to Lay Pea Gravel and Spruce Up Your Yard in 8 Steps
This guide on how to lay pea gravel outlines the materials and steps needed to complete this landscaping project on your own.
Kelly Weimert
•
Mar 12, 2025Mar 12, 2025
Pros and Cons of Pea Gravel Patios
Pea gravel is a budget-friendly, low-maintenance option for landscaping, pathways, and driveways. Learn about its pros and cons, best uses, and top alternatives to see if it’s the right choice for your project.
Allie Ogletree
•
Mar 11, 2025Mar 11, 2025
What’s the Difference Between Crushed Stone and Gravel?
Choosing between crushed stone and gravel can impact your landscaping project. Keep reading to compare crushed stone vs. gravel and pick the best one.

What do you need done? We’ll find top pros.

🌱 "Mow a small front yard"
🛠 "Fix a leaking pipe under the sink"
🏠 "Repair shingles on an asphalt roof"

Get matched with top stone and gravel pros in Seward, AK

Enter your ZIP and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your stone and gravel service project in Seward, AK?

Landscape Soil, Sand, Mulch and Rock Delivery

Gravel or Loose Fill Paving Install, Spread or Scrape

Asphalt Paving Installation

Verified Reviews for Stone And Gravel Service pros in Seward, AK

Find Stone and gravel pros in Seward

Aurora Construction

Aurora Construction

The Seward, AK homeowners’ guide to stone and gravel services

How Much Does a Gravel Driveway Cost? [2025 Data]

How Much Does a Gravel Pad for a Shed Cost? [2025 Data]

What’s the Difference Between Large Gravel and Small Gravel, and Why Is it Important?

How to Lay Pea Gravel and Spruce Up Your Yard in 8 Steps

Pros and Cons of Pea Gravel Patios

What’s the Difference Between Crushed Stone and Gravel?

Get our Angi-powered app

Get matched with top stone and gravel pros in Seward, AK

Enter your ZIP and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your stone and gravel service project in Seward, AK?

Landscape Soil, Sand, Mulch and Rock Delivery

Gravel or Loose Fill Paving Install, Spread or Scrape

Asphalt Paving Installation

Verified Reviews for Stone And Gravel Service pros in Seward, AK

Find Stone and gravel pros in Seward

Aurora Construction

Aurora Construction

The Seward, AK homeowners’ guide to stone and gravel services

How Much Does a Gravel Driveway Cost? [2025 Data]

How Much Does a Gravel Pad for a Shed Cost? [2025 Data]

What’s the Difference Between Large Gravel and Small Gravel, and Why Is it Important?​

How to Lay Pea Gravel and Spruce Up Your Yard in 8 Steps

Pros and Cons of Pea Gravel Patios

What’s the Difference Between Crushed Stone and Gravel?

Which Stone and gravel service task are you tackling?Find Seward Stone and gravel services on Angi who specialize in any of these tasks

Find Pros for other jobs in SewardIf your Stone and gravel services job is complete, use Angi to find quality Pros in Seward for any number of jobs.

What’s the Difference Between Large Gravel and Small Gravel, and Why Is it Important?