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Podergois Masonry LLC
4.9(
12
)
Brick and Stone Flatwork - RepairBrick and Stone Patios, Walks, and Steps - InstallBrick or Stone - Tuck-pointing+3 more

Serving Salem, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Frank was easy to schedule and I felt comfortable leaving him in my house alone. He put up with my crazy dogs too. He showed up when he said he would and was quick to get the job done. The fireplace installer made a mistake and had to cut a hole in my brick and Frank quickly came to repair it and you can not even tell where the hole was. We also had a problem with our hearth stones that Frank was able to correct (not his fault) and now we have the fireplace of our dreams. Frank takes great pride in his work and it shows. I would highly recommend Podergois Masonry."
front porch remodel
front porch remodel
front porch remodel
front porch remodel
front porch remodel

+93

Response time2 days
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for AccuLevel, Inc. - Belleville
AccuLevel, Inc. - Belleville
3.9(
215
)
Foundation, Basement or Crawlspace - Waterproofing / EncapsulationConcrete Foundation - RaiseConcrete Foundation - Repair

Serving Salem, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1996

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"We had an attached screened-in porch that was sinking.Acculevel came in and detailed every aspect of the repair project and then followed thru to the most minuet detail. Excellent work and very detail oriented. Friendly and cooperative service team that completed the work. This seemed like what was going to be a complicated job, using augered jacks, concrete removal, and replacing trex floor. ...In a nutshell, they made what seemed hard..very manageableand 100% solved.Excellent service, excellant price......Terry M."
Wall Anchors
Exterior Foundation Repair
Bowed Wall Foundation Repair AFTER
Horizontal Wall Crack BEFORE
Exterior Wall Anchors

+31

Response time4 days
252 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by87%of homeowners
Musick House Leveling, LLC
4.9(
29
)
Foundation, Basement or Crawlspace - Waterproofing / EncapsulationConcrete Foundation - Repair

Serving Salem, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1987

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I got bids from 5 contractors. 3 of them backed out immediately and the 4th didn't have good references. Musick had stellar references, stuck with me through the financing process which lasted months and answered all questions and concerns I had. Most of all he had the confidence in himself and his crew to do the job right. My new foundation looks amazing and I can't be happier with the job that they did. Too bad they don't do everything because I'd definitely hire them."
Response time1 day
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Effingham Foundation Systems
5.0(
3
)
Foundation, Basement or Crawlspace - Waterproofing / EncapsulationBasement Drainage Channels - InstallFoundation Drainage - Install or Replace

Serving Salem, 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
15 neighbors recently requested a quote
JR Construction
5.0(
2
)
Concrete Foundation - Install

Serving Salem, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2011

Small jobs welcome

Offers commercial services

Justin Ratts Construction, 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 customers interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business. At Justin Ratts Construction we specialize in concrete block, brick, and stone installation and know that you as a homeowner can take pride in the quality and beauty that our work will contribute to your project.

Response time3 days
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Shamrock Maintenance Corp.
Shamrock Maintenance Corp.
3.4(
701
)
Brick or Stone - Tuck-pointingBrick, Stone or Block Wall - Repair

Serving Salem, 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 rate94%
17 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Masonry questions, answered by experts

Chimney mortar typically lasts 20 to 30 years, depending on its quality, local weather conditions, and maintenance. Over time, exposure to moisture, freezing, and thawing cycles can cause mortar to deteriorate, leading to cracks and gaps. Regular inspections and timely repairs, such as repointing or tuckpointing, can extend the lifespan of chimney mortar by ensuring the structure's integrity.

The best tool for drilling into brick or mortar is a rotary hammer drill which is a large hammer drill with low rotation speed and high torque. Regular drills with a hammer function are also excellent tools for drilling into brick when the diameter of the hole is 1/2 inch or less. It might be possible to drill into brick with a standard drill if you’re only drilling a very small hole, but note that masonry work will put a lot of wear on a standard drill, and the tool may not be strong enough to get through brick.

When painting brick, each application method has pros and cons. Spraying is much faster but may not penetrate the porous surface of the bricks. Rolling is effective for getting paint into the bricks but doesn't work as well on the mortar. Brushing is very time-consuming and also won't penetrate beyond the surface. For the best results, a combination of spraying and rolling is often recommended. If you use a roller, choose a thick option (at least a half-inch) and ensure the paint gets into all the crevices for even coverage.

There are many things to look for when buying a brick house. Here are some of the key things you should pay close attention to.

  • Lintels: Look for cracks, holes, displacement, or corrosion

  • Mortar: Check to see if the mortar is old and crumbling, in need of repointing, or new. Also check to see if the mortar has a professional finish.

  • Walls: Check along each side of the house. If a wall is bowing outward, this indicates a severe issue such as foundation damage or that the walls are ready to fall.

  • Cracks: If there are stair step cracks in the brickwork, this indicates an unstable foundation.

Yes, brick can breathe through limewash. Limewash is a breathable coating made from natural lime and water, allowing moisture to pass through while providing a protective layer. Unlike synthetic paints or sealants, which can trap moisture within the brick and lead to issues like mold, limewash allows the brick to maintain its natural breathability. This characteristic makes limewash an ideal choice for historic structures where preserving the integrity of the brick is essential.

The Salem, IL homeowners’ guide to masonry services

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