"I was very impressed with Atlas. The team was prompt, hard working, and quick. I expected that digging holes for 5 piers would make quite a mess. However, they had it down to a science -- Plastic sheets to protect the ground and then cover the excavated dirt so it didn't blow around or get muddy when it rained. Noise was minimal - much less than I thought it would be. They were done in 3 days, and cleaned up so well, you could hardly tell that anything had been done."
"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!"
"We have lived in our house for 10 years. Right after we moved in there was water in the crawlspace and we hired Permaseal to do drain tile. We've had no water issues for 10 years. This year we finally decided to do something about the settling in the addition and again hired Permaseal to install piers around the foundation (interior and exterior). Hugo M. and his team did an outstanding job, working through some very cold days, installing everything as planned and at each moment stopping to show us the work and the progress. The work required going through the drain tile on the interior pier locations and the team reinstalled the drain tile system before pouring the final concrete. The work was really well done and everything was left clean and picked up, which is remarkable considering the scope of the work."
"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."
"Basement waterproofing is expensive! I had no idea! However, Luis was great, he explained everything, took his time answering my many questions, responded whenever I contacted him, was polite and professional and his crew was too! I would hire them again and would recommend them. Our project is in Lake Zurich IL."
"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."
"Used Everseal to install drain tile in our basement. Excellent standard of work and customer service. Great value for money. Very happy with the work performed."
"Rivera concrete did a good job, they were on time and professional and answered all my questions. Had to come back for a touch up and is now complete."
Brick houses can last at least 100 years with minimal maintenance. With regular care and attention, including mortar repointing, brick houses can last 500 years or more.
In some cases, black stains on brick are caused by organic substances like algae and mold. However, it's more likely that the black spots you're noticing on your bricks come from carbon from vehicle exhaust or soot. Black stains can usually be removed by scrubbing the brick with a brush and masonry cleaner or power washing.
Cobblestone is not a type of rock but a term for a mosaic or rock laid down as a surface. It used to be made from the closest available stone but now can be made from nearly any hard rock, as machining has made shaping the stone much easier and cheaper.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Want your home to stand out and be the envy of the town? These tips for creating a natural brick and stone exterior could be just what you’re looking for.
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.
