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Avatar for AccuLevel, Inc. - Belleville
AccuLevel, Inc. - Belleville
3.9(
215
)

Serving Saint Elmo, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1996

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"If they find more cracks in your walls then previously noted they are fair with adjustments. They were very knowledgeable. Had multiple quotes and I was most satisfied with Acculevel ."
Wall Anchors
Exterior Foundation Repair
Bowed Wall Foundation Repair AFTER
Horizontal Wall Crack BEFORE
Exterior Wall Anchors

+31

Response time4 days
266 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by87%of homeowners
Effingham Foundation Systems
5.0(
3
)

Serving Saint Elmo, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"My home (crawlspace) was inspected recently by Foundation Recovery Systems. We were given very helpful information on improving our situation with waterproofing/encapsulation of the space. The owner was professional with his presentation/service. We were very satisfied."
Response time1 day
16 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Shamrock Maintenance Corp.
Shamrock Maintenance Corp.
3.4(
701
)

Serving Saint Elmo, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We couldnâ t find anyone local to install a chimney, so went with Shamrock, who had a crew working locally, although they were based 2 hrs away. They came sooner than expected, did the job beautifully, and have been easy to contact with any questions we had. Very pleased with the whole project."
Chimney service
Crown and caps
Chimney Repair
Chimney Repair
Chimney Repair

+33

Response time1 day
Response rate100%
17 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Masonry questions, answered by experts

Drilling into brick or mortar requires the use of a masonry drill bit. Masonry drill bits appear similar to standard drill bits except for the leading tip of the bit. The tip has a bulky carbide arrow-shaped end slightly larger than the rest of the bit shaft. Standard or high-speed drill bits designed for making holes in wood or metal don’t have the ruggedness or design shape you need to drill into brick. They may not go through the brick at all, and if they do, they’re more likely to overheat, crack, or dull before you finish drilling.

You may not need a hammer drill if you’re planning on drilling one or two very small diameter holes in brick. For holes with a diameter of 3/16-inch or less, a regular drill with a masonry bit can do the job. However, the bit will heat up quickly, and the process will take significantly longer than with a hammer drill. Prepare to cool your drill bit down in a bucket of water more often.

For most brick cleaning jobs, including fireplace bricks, use a masonry sponge and a gentle cleaner. A simple solution of equal parts water and vinegar, or a few drops of dish soap in a bowl of water, can effectively remove grime. For tougher stains, you can use a dedicated masonry or fireplace cleaner. It is crucial to wet the bricks thoroughly with water before applying any cleaning solution to prevent the brick from absorbing it, and to rinse the surface completely afterward. Harsher cleaners containing bleach or ammonia should only be used as a last resort, and they should never be mixed together.

If your old bricks are in decent condition and you have the space to store them where they’ll be protected from the elements, keeping old bricks is often worthwhile. You’d spend anywhere from $70 to a few hundred dollars to have them removed from your property, in which case you won’t be able to use them for future projects. Holding on to old bricks in good condition means you can use them later for other DIY projects, potentially saving yourself some money on disposal and new materials down the road.

You can use adhesive strips to hang lights on brick—just make sure you get outdoor mounting tape and not just any old double-sided tape for your project.

The Saint Elmo, IL homeowners’ guide to masonry services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.