"The owner of the business keeps his word and bids a fair price. He answers your questions. I had two other bids and RC Masonry was the lowest but that wasn't why I chose them. The owner actually took the time to meet me and answered my questions. One tuck pointing business said they would get back with me and they never did. I'm glad I found RC Masonry on HomeAdvisor!"
Plambeck Construction Co. is your top destination for residential flat work, focusing on driveways, patios, patches, decorative concrete, sidewalks, and more. We're dedicated to delivering impeccable craftsmanship and precise attention to detail, ensuring durable and visually striking concrete solutions customized to each client's requirements. Whether it's enhancing outdoor spaces with decorative concrete or repairing worn driveways, Plambeck Construction Co. is devoted to exceeding expectations and enriching the appeal and usability of residential properties.
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
Artios Painting, is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customer's interests and make their concerns the basis of our business. Please give us a call today!
Got water in your basement? Dealing with a leaky foundation or a wet crawl space? At MidAmerica Basement Systems, we've got you covered. We offer effective solutions to dry out your wet basement, fix your crawl space, and restore the structural integrity of your home. We also specialize in installing seamless gutters to redirect water away from your foundation and provide expert concrete repair to fix cracked walkways, patios, and more. Call us today to find out how we can help! We look forward to earning your business.
Supreme Services Corp., offers years of professional concrete work. They specialize in patios, driveways, retaining walls, concrete stamping, and much more. Always expect them to show up on time, be professional, and do high quality work.
"Shamrock Chimney provided an estimate for our Chimney to Pointed and also to insert a Liner. They quoted a fair price and I agreed to have the work done the same day. That day, I reviewed the work and felt more masonry work was still required. They came out the next day again, and they did additional repair work to Point the Chimney. Overall they did what I wanted at a fair price. My roof was affected during the work, but they helped cover the cost for repairs. Since my roof was brand new, this was required."
We are an owner-operated landscaping company established in 2019, backed by over 35 years of hands-on experience. We specialize in mulching, planting, cleanups, paver patios, retaining walls, water features, and low-voltage outdoor lighting.\n\nOur direct, owner-led approach ensures every project is completed with precision, care, and attention to detail. When you hire Takota, you're working directly with the people who care most about the outcome.
Our happy and satisfied customers recommend us to their friends and family all the time. We are proud of our reputation and we feel it has been well earned. We are also happy that we can help you feel good knowing that you are working with a reputable company that stands behind its products and services.\n
No, you shouldn’t lay bricks directly on dirt. While it might seem like a shortcut, it leads to a patio that shifts, sinks, and becomes a maintenance headache. Dirt expands, contracts, and erodes—none of which mix well with long-term stability. To build something that lasts, excavate the topsoil, compact a layer of crushed gravel, and add a coarse sand-setting bed. This layered base gives your bricks proper support, allows drainage, and helps block weeds from creeping through. Cutting corners here just means you’ll spend more time—and money—repairing your brick patio later.
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.
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.
Brick spalling—which refers to the crumbly, flaky, or pitted appearance that can develop over time—is caused by a few different conditions. These include:
Climates with constant freeze-thaw cycles
Use of non-breathable sealants
High-pressure water cleaning
Improper installation
While you can’t do anything about the weather, you can preserve your bricks by cleaning them with soapy water and a good old-fashioned scrubbing. Pressure washers may be satisfying to use, but they can eventually wear away the surface of your bricks. If you don’t have advanced-level DIY skills in masonry, you can hire a reputable masonry contractor in your area for your project.
Yes, you can technically use a pressure washer to remove paint from brick, but it comes with a significant risk of damaging the brick surface. A high-power pressure washer can be fast but may leave the brick looking unsightly. The recommended method is to first apply a chemical paint stripper, following the product's instructions, and then use a stiff metal bristle brush or a pressure washer on a low-pressure setting to remove the loosened paint. Due to the risk of damage, it is often best to hire a professional who can use low-stress methods.
The Geneseo, IL 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.
