"They found that their were cracks in the foundation. The first bid they gave me was for a permanent fix to completely restructure the foundation to rid the foundation of all cracks. It was an extremely high price and out of the range I was looking for. The person that came out for the inspection then assured me that it is very common to have cracks in the foundation and gave me a far less expensive alternative to repair the cracks and to stabilize the area. The estimate for that was fair."
"We are totally satisfied with the professionalism, skill, work ethic and overall attention to detail provided by Hector Martinez and his extremely capable crew. This is a contractor you can trust. They completed the job timely once they had started. Prices are fair. Our emphasis was on the quality of the materials and workmanship rather than the cheapest contractor we could find, as value is important to us. We feel this concrete will endure for many years to come. We plan to hire Hector again for additional masonry projects."
"My husband and I had a wonderful experience with The Real Seal in July 2024. They fixed a bowing foundation and waterproofed the basement for future finishing. Their team was prompt, respectful, organized and thoroughly educated us on the drainage tile system, installation process and prevention. Thank you, Real Seal for being the flawless first step to our dream basement/family space!"
"The work went extremely well. The concrete is now properly raised and sloped for drainage. The gap between the slab and my front stairs is also sealed. It looks great. I highly recommend Perma-Seal."
"Very well. They cleared a fence lin 75 ft. lon and up to 15 ft. wide down to bare ground, no stumps left. Then thhey contoured and seeded the whole area. All in one day."
Elite Chimney and Masonry is your trusted partner for professional \nchimney and masonry services. We specialize in chimney cleaning, \ninspections, repairs, and complete masonry work for residential and \ncommercial properties.\n\nOur Services Include:\n✓ Chimney Sweeping & Cleaning\n✓ Chimney Inspections & Safety Assessments\n✓ Chimney Repair & Rebuilding\n✓ Fireplace Installation & Repair\n✓ Chimney Cap & Crown Installation\n✓ Brick & Stone Masonry\n✓ Tuckpointing & Repointing\n✓ Masonry Restoration & Waterproofing\n\nWhy Choose Us:\n• Fully Licensed & Insured\n• Experienced Professional Technicians\n• Safety-Focused Approach\n• Quality Craftsmanship Guaranteed\n• Competitive Transparent Pricing\n• Excellent Customer Service\n• Emergency Services Available\n\nWe deliver exceptional results that ensure your chimney operates \nsafely and your masonry looks beautiful for years to come. \n\nContact us today for a free estimate!
"it went very well, technician call 30 minutes before their arrival, once they arrived they introduced themselves and got right to work. The inspection went well and the technician made sure to show me what they were seeing. After the inspection there was some work that needed to be done and was suggested. After seeing photographs and discussing with the technician, I choose to have some of the proposed work done. There was no pressure or hard sales pitch, just practical safety and maintenance issues. The work was able to be accomplished during the visit, and in addition an additional discount was provided. The technicians were knowledgeable, professional and did a nice job cleaning up after themselves. I will have them back to do a more thorough masonry inspection in the spring when there is not snow on the roof."
"Rob and his crew did a great job.. outside tuck pointing, crack repair, new damper, holes filled. Inside new mortar, smoke chamber fire proofed, new ceramic logs, silica, gas line. Showed us how to operate the new damper and light the fireplace. Perfect job."
"What a great company! The owner Luis was a gem. Had a foundation problem in our basement and Luis called that morning and was out the same afternoon to give us a quote. The work was done as soon as weather permitted, within a week. He did a great job, our landscape was put back neatly and would definitely recommend him!! Thank you Luis!"
"Had several very large stone steps that were sinking. AQ had to remove steps reinforce base and reset steps. Did a great job, I’m very happy and have more work for them this spring."
Masonry is an umbrella term that involves adhering individual building materials together using an adhesive, so many different things are considered masonry. These include constructing stone or brick walls or facades, installing stucco siding, installing backsplashes or tile floors, and even installing glass block windows, in some cases. Masonry materials include natural stone, clay bricks, concrete bricks, glass blocks, and tiles.
Yes, it is essential to prime or seal a brick fireplace before painting. Brick is a porous and highly absorbent material, so without a primer, paint can seep into the surface, resulting in uneven coverage and allowing the natural brick color to show through. To avoid this, apply one or two coats of a masonry primer. The primer will seal the brick and provide a smooth, uniform layer for the paint to adhere to. Ensure the primer is completely dry before applying the topcoat of paint.
They offer durability, aesthetic appeal, and resistance to weathering compared to concrete or asphalt.
While painting can certainly change the look of a chimney, you should think twice about giving your brick chimney the old landlord special.
Painting brick is porous, meaning it’s full of tiny holes that can soak up moisture. Those holes also allow it to dry, though. So, when you paint it, you trap any moisture inside, providing an opportunity for mold, mildew, and water damage.
Paint also shows wear faster than naked brick. This means that once you paint a brick surface, you’ll have to keep painting it to maintain a clean look. A paint job is also harder to undo on brick because of its porous nature. Once you paint it, it’s hard to go back without some serious power washing—another added cost.
No, using a power sander on brick is not recommended because the force of the sander can destroy brick's fragile outer layer. Even using sandpaper on brick is discouraged because of the damage its abrasiveness can cause.
The Maple Park, 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.
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.
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.
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.
