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Avatar for Platinum Construction
Platinum Construction
5.0(
7
)
Brick or Stone - Tuck-pointingBrick or Stone - Tuckpointing - For BusinessBrick or Stone Siding: Install or Completely Replace+3 more

Serving Iowa, LA and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Was totally satisfied with the job they did. I had 10 of my pillars bricked and they came out great. The team was on time and cleaned up as they went no mess left behind. That was a key point l noticed. Sometime contractors are bad about clean up, but this crew was outstanding. Would highly recommend Platinum Construction for any of your masonry/brick layer needs."
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Response time1 day
Response rate100%
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Masonry questions, answered by experts

Cobblestone can be made from many different types of stones but the most common ones, by far, are granite, basalt, limestone, and sandstone.  If you are laying a brick paver patio or other such project, the medium is different. It’s rare, but cobblestone can also be made from marble, slate, jasper, and other types of rock. Technically, you can make cobblestone from almost any type of rock, but if it is weather-resistant and stands the test of time is another question entirely.

A mason lays brick or stone together, sometimes with mortar in between the bricks and stones, and sometimes without mortar, also called a dry-stack or surface bonding. Examples of work masons do include:

  • Brick, stone, or cement block houses and buildings

  • Freestanding stone or brick walls

  • Chimneys with wood-burning fireplaces

  • Cement block basement or crawl space walls

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.

The material you use depends on how hard-wearing your steps need to be and what you want them to look like. The most common stone for exterior steps is bluestone. It’s hard-wearing and durable, and bluestone steps cost between $15 and $30 per linear foot. Limestone is also a popular option and is mid-range, costing $25 to $50 per linear foot. You should always consider the specific requirements of your project before ordering any materials.

You will repoint over a fraction of the old mortar, but you should scrape away 1/2 to 1 inch of mortar from the joints before repointing. Otherwise, the repointing is only masking the weakened mortar instead of actually replacing it, which could put your chimney at risk of bigger, more expensive damages later on.

The Iowa, LA homeowners’ guide to masonry services

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