"I hired Cornerstone Masonry on short notice. He replied promptly and was in communication with me during our whole bidding phase, and willing to accommodate all of our needs. They were even willing to work over the Fourth of July while our business was closed to get the work done. He did an awesome job and cleaned up everything all in one day, which the project was a fairly big one, but he knew how important it was for us to keep our business running so we didn’t lose any money. I would highly recommend Cornerstone Masonry for any projects that you need done because they are very reliable and do what they say they’re going to do and do it very well! It’s hard to find companies any more that are reliable and show up, so we very much appreciated this company."
"Nedi Masonry did an excellent job! They were prompt, courteous, and worked very hard until the job was completed! We would also highly recommend their workmanship!"
Acculevel is your foundation repair expert, serving Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, and Ohio with over 20 years of experience. Our repairs come with a lifetime warranty. Acculevel begins by evaluating your entire foundation system, checking your property for the signs and causes of foundation failure. From foundation & crawlspace repair to waterproofing & encapsulation systems, Acculevel can help you protect your home-- the most valuable investment you'll ever make.\n
Foundation Recovery Systems (FRS), A Groundworks Company, specializes in helping homeowners with their foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, and concrete needs. Our top priority is providing high-quality home repair solutions and personalized service throughout Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas. With fully trained technicians, industry-leading products, and nationally backed warranties, FRS is here to restore your foundation or crawl space.\nFor state licenses visit Groundworks.com/licensing
Welcome to B.A.M! Basements and Masons, Central Iowa's premier basement repair and masonry company! B.A.M! is a local business founded in 2012 by Mark Williams. After working several years with different basement repair companies, Mark saw a need for better value and customer service in the industry, so he decided to open his own business. He chose the motto, Every consideration given to total customer satisfaction with the highest quality workmanship, the pillar of the B.A.M! name.\n\nTogether, we at B.A.M! will cultivate our reputation for excellent service and quality work. With our motto in mind and a smile on our face, we look forward to helping the people of Central Iowa improve their homes.
Anchored Walls, Inc. is a locally-operated business dedicated to repairing or stabilizing dangerous and common basement problems in Iowa for over 40 years. Based out of Winterset, we are proud to be a leading foundation repair and basement waterproofing specialist company that puts honesty and quality first. With thousands of satisfied customers across the state, we’re always happy to share our customer list — just ask!
Our mission is to be a provider that brings back the personal touch with our customers. We will build a relationship that will last a lifetime after you see our quality work. As a locally owned and operated business we feel invested in our clients and constantly strive for customer satisfaction. We won't leave until the job is done right! Call or click to schedule an estimate today!\n
With 50 years in the industry, Thrasher has helped homeowners preserve and improve the value of their homes using proven basement waterproofing and structural repair solutions. We understand that home repairs can be stressful. That’s why our team will guide you through every step, addressing all foundation concerns, water intrusion, and concrete issues with the utmost care and expertise. By choosing us, you’re partnering with a compassionate team that cares deeply about your home’s well-being and your family’s peace of mind.\n\nFor more information on Thrasher or to schedule a free home inspection, please call us at 800.827.0702 or visit www.gothrasher.com.
At Stone Concrete & Landscaping, we take pride in delivering high-quality concrete, waterproofing, and outdoor construction services throughout the greater Des Moines area. With a commitment to craftsmanship, reliability, and customer satisfaction, we work closely with homeowners to bring their projects to life on time and within budget.\n\nOur expertise includes concrete driveways, patios, walkways, concrete floors, foundation waterproofing, basement and crawlspace encapsulation, and other exterior improvement projects. Whether you're enhancing your property's curb appeal, protecting your home's foundation, or creating a functional outdoor space, our team has the experience and attention to detail to get the job done right.\n\nWe believe in honest communication, fair pricing, and treating every project as if it were our own. From the initial consultation through project completion, our goal is to provide exceptional service and results that stand the test of time.\n
"The team was very friendly and willing to put in the extra work even though the circumstances were more difficult than any of us expected. The work was completed in a timely manner and they were very knowledgeable of masonry construction and their trade."
Painted exterior brick does not usually need sealing. Brick is a porous material, so you don’t want to apply a sealant that could trap moisture inside the bricks and cause erosion and structural damage. The risk of moisture-induced damage after sealing is higher in colder climates where trapped moisture can expand if it freezes. On the other hand, it makes sense to seal really old brick or kitchen backsplashes, where moisture from cooking can weaken the brick.
Yes, but used or reclaimed bricks can be more brittle, cracked, or uneven than new bricks, so they’re harder to cut cleanly by hand. For that reason, you should take extra care when scoring and striking, and expect a higher chance of breakage. If a brick feels especially fragile, score deeper before attempting to split it.
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.
Mortar and thinset both serve the same purpose—tile adhesion—but have different compositions and use-cases. Thinset is heatproof and presents a wide range of possibilities due to the added polymers. Mortar is typically used for bonding stones and brick. Thinset is rarely used outside, while mortar is rarely used inside.
A traditional German schmear uses mortar, making it unsuitable for adherence to painted surfaces. Professionals recommend removing any existing paint before applying mortar. However, you can rough up the painted surface and clean it to test if the mortar will stick. Remember that the underlying paint's texture and color may affect the schmear's final appearance—so starting with a bare brick wall will ensure the ideal finish.
The Winterset, IA homeowners’ guide to masonry services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Need to repoint brick in your home to make your home look fresh and new? Use this guide to repointing brick cost to price out your project before starting.
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.
When it comes to masonry versus concrete, it can be easy to confuse the two. Use this guide to learn about the differences in appearance, strength, and more.
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.
