"Oliver and his partner were more than excellent. He was honest with his assessment and gave me a quote right away (not the cheapest, but it had the most value based on his experience/knowledge - HIS BID WAS VERY FAIR!!!). We talked with 4 vendors before deciding on New Age Masonry and couldn't be happier with our decision to hire them. We have been burned in the past with other contractors, so I am always on edge when dealing with them, but Oliver gives me a new reason to relax on that a bit. Please give him an opportunity, even if he isn't the lowest bid, because you will not be disappointed in his work. Very, very satisfied customer."
"All five cracks were sealed. For two of the cracks, two carbon fiber wall braces (steel crack plates) were installed. Everything was done in a timely and professional manner. There was a good sized crew and higher level supervisors came to check on the work in progress. It's been a very wet year since the repairs were done and I've had no problems to speak of. Prior to the work, Jason Clesle provided a thorough inspection of my basement and explained clearly why he thought this was the proper solution for my problem."
"The job was done right and the customer service and technicians were amazing. Definitely recommend them to anyone who needs work on their foundation.."
"Very professional from start to finish. We have an older home that has partial cinder block foundation. They were able to seal the problem areas and with recent heavy rainfalls, all dry! They sent me a video prior to the job to show us exactly how the process worked. Very happy and satisfied would definitely recommend Real Seal!"
"IPR Masonry ( Ismael ) replaced our concrete entrance and small sidewalk to the driveway. He did it right and well and was very considerate of both us and our property. I would certainly recommend him to others."
"Chimney destroyed by lightening strike! Rob and crew removed all debris, built new chimney, inspected 30 yr. old chimney shaft and suggested liner(for safety and code compliance) .installed new damper, cleaned up entire area inside and out. great work, very courteous, fair price. I would recommend them for any type of brick/chimney service!"
"Anthony and his team were very professional. They did a perfect job, gave us an estimate of the work that should be done to maintain the chimney and the masonry. Work was done in about 45 minutes and they cleaned the area of operation. Anthony took the time to explain what has to be done and why, as well as what would happen if we don't do the recommended work. Overall I can recommend this company."
"My existing window well had pulled back from the homes foundation over the past 20 years, allowing water and sediment to enter the well. Sediment would plug the drain causing water to build up and create an aquarium in the window well. You pass waterproofing installed a new window well and securely fastened it to the cement foundation. They carefully removed the previous window well and took care not to brutalize the surrounding landscape. Completely satisfied with their work"
"Our natural stone retaining wall was failing due to improper initial installation by the original contractor several years ago. Brian and Luis came in and totally rebuilt the wall properly with the correct base and drainage to insure a long lasting product. The team arrived as scheduled and completed the work within the timeframe given. We couldn't be happier with the result!"
On average, a quality exterior brick stain can last between 10 and 20 years, and sometimes even longer. While it will look its best for a minimum of three to five years, its total lifespan depends on several factors. These include the quality and type of stain used, the condition of the brick, and the thoroughness of the surface preparation, such as proper cleaning. Following the manufacturer's application instructions and applying a sealant as a final step is also crucial. The stain's longevity can be affected by your location, climate, and the brick's exposure to harsh weather, high traffic, and other elements. Over time, the stain may begin to fade or look dingy due to weathering, erosion, dirt, and debris. Compared to paint, brick stain generally has a longer lifespan.
Cobblestone fell out of favor with the advent of motor vehicles. Asphalt and concrete are both much smoother surfaces allowing for a smoother ride. Asphalt is also much cheaper, especially for driveways. However, we didn’t stop using cobblestone altogether, and you can still see it as a decorative option in both homes, in parks, and in pedestrianized areas of cities.
You can hang holiday lights on brick without drilling by using hot glue, outdoor tape, or brick clips for your project. There are plenty of alternatives to consider, so consult a professional Christmas light installer to discuss the best options to preserve your brick exterior.
A fireplace is, by definition, an enclosed space where you burn wood or other fuel for the purpose of generating light and heat. A firepit burns wood and is much less expensive to build, but they aren’t technically a fireplace as it isn’t enclosed. An outdoor oven—commonly outdoor brick pizza ovens—often uses wood as fuel, but its primary purpose is to cook food, and you’d rarely just burn wood inside them for warmth or aesthetic reasons.
Use fire bricks for a brick pizza oven. These bricks are typically used for fireplaces and chimneys as they can withstand high temperatures from heat sources. If you attempt to use any other kind of bricks, it’s likely that this material will crack from such high heat exposure in the best case—and potentially explode and cause serious harm in the worst case.
The Elburn, IL homeowners’ guide to masonry services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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.
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.
This guide features information on the costs to repair a brick wall, whether or not you need a brick mason to complete spalling, tuckpointing, or a full restoration.
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.
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.