"Henry from Republic Masonry was excellent we hired him for the remainder of the winter season He was very respectful and even cleared the slush off the front walkway at no charge so we could safely get our mail 5 stars"
"Brian and his crew were professional and courteous. Communication was complete and was always made aware of progress, and schedule. Job was completed promptly and looked great. I would recommend Masonry Plus and I’m having a project for next year hopefully using his team again."
"We had the best luck with this company and would absolutely recommend them to anyone and everyone needing masonry or chimney work. We looked for days to try and find someone to put the flue cap back on our roof and even got scammed in the process, but from the moment I spoke on the phone with Sylvia I knew I was in good hands. Mark came out the next day and did the job beautifully, quickly, and professionally. This was such a huge stress relief off my husband and I and we will be working with only them moving forward. They were THE BEST!"
"I am new to the area and needed a new chimney and to have work done on my roof. Ken Moreau came and gave me an estiment that I thought was very fair. He and his men were very professional and did the work in one day. They cleaned up the area that they used and left the yard in great shape. I highly recommend that if you are having and masonry or roof work done that you contact Ken and see what he has to say before you hire someone else.."
"I reached out to New England Foundation to have some foundation cracks repaired and to install a few Lally columns. I give this company an A+! They were punctual, professional, and very trustworthy from start to finish. Chase was especially professional, knowledgeable, and courteous throughout the entire process. The quality of the work exceeded my expectations, and I couldn't be happier with the results. I would definitely use New England Foundation again and highly recommend them to anyone in need of foundation repair services."
"Valley Excavating replaced our foundation drain, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. They responded right away when I called for an estimate and quickly followed up with a detailed, itemized quote, so I knew exactly what I was paying for. That kind of responsiveness and transparency is hard to find. If you need excavation or drainage work, I strongly recommend Valley Excavating!"
"This experience was excellent from start to finish. Al was very helpful, kind, professional and friendly. The price was fair and the work quality was outstanding. The crown on our chimney looks great and will protect our property for years to come. We would definitely use Expert Chimney again."
"A . Jon provided a quote and answered our questions within two days of reaching out through Home Advisor. Team completed the work in the morning before a nor’easter hit. Highly recommended."
Spalling brick is not uncommon, but it does indicate a serious issue. It can be caused by water damage, an intense freeze-thaw cycle, or something else. Painted bricks can be susceptible to spalling, as the paint doesn’t allow the porous material of the brick to breathe, which can trap moisture. Spalling should always be addressed immediately before more serious structural damage occurs.
Yes, it is normal to see some minor hairline cracks in brick or mortar over time, often due to natural foundation settling. However, not all cracks are harmless. You should be concerned and contact a masonry professional for an inspection if you notice cracks that are getting wider or longer, or if new ones keep appearing. Other serious warning signs that can indicate significant structural or foundation damage include large vertical cracks (especially those that widen as they go up), stair-step cracks, L-shaped cracks, and deep horizontal cracks. Factors like temperature changes, moisture, and structural loading can also cause cracks to form or worsen.
Modern brick houses are really stick-built homes with a brick facade for aesthetic purposes only, so most have framing. With genuine brick construction, most homeowners install furring strips over the interior of the brick and then install drywall over those strips to cover the brick wall, so they don’t have traditional framing.
You should clean your home’s brick once per year. This applies to exterior brick, but also to cleaning brick fireplaces. Create a homemade cleaning solution with equal parts vinegar and water. Use a soft-bristle brush to scrub the solution into the face of your brick and remove dirt, algae, and stains. Cleaning will protect brick from damage and boost your home’s curb appeal.
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.
The Agawam, MA 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.
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.
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.
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.
