Is concrete stronger than masonry?

• <div>Yes, concrete is significantly stronger than masonry, especially if the concrete pour includes reinforcements, like steel rebar. Concrete is a uniform material that can withstand compression, sheer force, and tensile force as long as it’s reinforced. Masonry involves the use of mortar or grout to connect individual building materials, like brick, stone, or tile. Mortar and grout are also reasonably strong and resist compression well, but they don’t come close to the strength of poured concrete.</div>

What do I look for when buying a brick house?

• <div>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.<ul><li>Lintels: Look for cracks, holes, displacement, or corrosion</li><li>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.</li><li>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.</li><li>Cracks: If there are stair step cracks in the brickwork, this indicates an unstable foundation.</li></ul></div>

Get matched with top masons in Willimantic, CT

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your masonry work project in Willimantic, CT?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

TRUSTED BY WILLIMANTIC, CT HOMEOWNERS

4.4
Average homeowner rating
21
Verified masonry services reviews

Verified Reviews for Masonry Work pros in Willimantic, CT

*The Angi rating for Masonry Work companies in Willimantic, CT is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Masonry Work needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Masonry Work companies in Willimantic, CT is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Masonry Work needs.

Last update on April 10, 2024

Reviewed in April 2024
Ellite Construction Masonry did an exceptional job restoring our stone patio. The crew was punctual, detail oriented and safe; the office also provided great communication throughout the length of the 4 week project. I highly recommend Ellite Construction Masonry and will be reaching out for...
Ellite Construction Masonry
Request a quote
Reviewed in July 2023
Jimmy and his crew were extremely professional , knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. My chimney block is no longer manufactured . It became a challenge but Jimmy got very creative and the completed product was amazing. The cost was extremely reasonable and worth every dollar. I...
Pagano Masonry LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2021
Joseph and his crew are masonry wizard's. My chimney was cracking and falling apart and after the work performed it is back to its original beauty
Warrantied Home Improvement
Request a quote
Reviewed in March 2021
L&A Masonry exceeded our expectations for our small bedroom/office remodel. We went over what our general ideas were for the remodel and scheduled a date for them to come out to complete the work. The work was done in two days, and the room came out better than we pictured it. They were...
L&A MASONARY HOME IMPROVEMENT LLC.
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2020
Ric has an artist's eye as well as outstanding masonry skills and he was a joy to work with. We originally contracted with him to install a new patio, walkway, and stairs as well as building a new brick wall. As the work unfolded Ric made several suggestions that added to the beauty of what...
Ulric J Deojay Masonry, LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in November 2013
When we were looking at the home we eventually bought, a crack in the foundation was brought to our attention by the inspectors; we said we would not buy the house unless it was fixed to their satisfaction. According to all we knew, it was fixed, and so we forgot about it. Enter Hurricane Sandy....
D & M Masonry Contractors Llc
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2013
All work perform according to contract. Work crew arrived on time. Old roof removed, some decking replaced over 2 days with a major rainstorm over night with no water damage. After the job was complete owner came out on Saturday to seal the chimney that was seeping water through the masonry work...
Klusek Kontracting LLC
Request a quote

Masonry questions, answered by experts

Yes, concrete is significantly stronger than masonry, especially if the concrete pour includes reinforcements, like steel rebar. Concrete is a uniform material that can withstand compression, sheer force, and tensile force as long as it’s reinforced. Masonry involves the use of mortar or grout to connect individual building materials, like brick, stone, or tile. Mortar and grout are also reasonably strong and resist compression well, but they don’t come close to the strength of poured concrete.

The best tool for drilling into brick or mortar is a rotary hammer drill which is a large hammer drill with low rotation speed and high torque. Regular drills with a hammer function are also excellent tools for drilling into brick when the diameter of the hole is 1/2 inch or less. It might be possible to drill into brick with a standard drill if you’re only drilling a very small hole, but note that masonry work will put a lot of wear on a standard drill, and the tool may not be strong enough to get through brick.

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.

Unless you’ve worked in the masonry industry before, it is in your best interest if you hire a pro for any masonry needs. Masonry-related jobs require a high skill level and can be extremely time-consuming. If anything goes wrong, a licensed and insured masonry contractor would be able to take care of the subsequent repairs, giving you additional peace of mind.

You will repoint over a fraction of the old mortar, but you should scrape away 1/2 to 1 inch of mortar from the joints before repointing. Otherwise, the repointing is only masking the weakened mortar instead of actually replacing it, which could put your chimney at risk of bigger, more expensive damages later on.

The Willimantic, CT homeowners’ guide to masonry services

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

See all articles

Scott Dylan Westerlund
•
May 3, 2026May 3, 2026
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Brick Mailbox? [2026 Data]
Whether you're planting your flag with a new build or upgrading a leaning or crumbling mailbox, get an idea of brick mailbox cost with this guide.
Timothy Moore
•
Apr 4, 2026Apr 4, 2026
How Much Does Door or Window Lintel Replacement Cost? [2026 Data]
Door or window lintel replacement costs $400 on average, but there are ways you can save. On the other hand, complicated work will increase costs considerably.
Stephanie Mickelson
•
Mar 18, 2026Mar 18, 2026
How Much Does Chimney Removal Cost? [2026 Data]
The typical chimney removal costs between $1,000 and $10,000, but much of that price depends on whether it’s a full or partial removal. Get the full cost breakdown here.
Heather Ayer
•
Apr 9, 2026Apr 9, 2026
Your Guide to Common Masonry Materials
Discover the wide variety of masonry materials for your next home upgrade project. Our guide covers the different types of materials to choose from and more.
Chelsea Van Bloom
•
Apr 10, 2026Apr 10, 2026
Historic Brick Masonry Restoration Guide
If you own a historic brick home, you’ll want to pay attention to cracks, moisture, and settling—and greenlight a historic masonry restoration if they arise.
Scott Dylan Westerlund
•
May 3, 2026May 3, 2026
3 Common Masonry Problems: Here’s How to Fix Them
Discover the common masonry problems that can harm stone or brick surfaces at your home. While some masonry issues can be fixed with DIY solutions, anything involving brick replacement should be done by a professional.