"Chris Peplinski came out and gave us a fair and honest estimate on fixing our foundation. Alex and crew arrived and installed helical piers to shore up our foundation and you couldn’t tell they were even here. Everything from the first call to the install was top notch! Highly Recommend!"
"They did a rock wall down our driveway and stone landscaping in our front yard. I cannot believe the great job. Great workers and so easy to work with."
"Good communication, professional, courteous and clean up was thorough.
We waited a few months before doing a rating to experience a few heavy rains. We are extremely happy with having a dry usable basement. We usually don't do ratings but All Ways Dry exceeded our expectations!"
"I was impressed with Chuck from Shamrock Chimney. He was realistic in his discussion and went thru various options from converting to a gas fireplace to wood inserts. He discussed the issues with the existing field stone face and converting to a two way fireplace. He certainly made me comfortable to consider Shamrock should the project move forward."
"They were very professional from the day one when I met Tom Cox and through the completed installlation of my "WaterGuard" system. I look forward to seeing how the system works."
"Here’s a polished 5-star review you can use or customize: I couldn’t be happier with the sealcoating job done on my driveway! The crew was professional, on time, and paid great attention to detail from start to finish. My driveway looks brand new again with a smooth, clean finish that really boosts the curb appeal of my home. They took the time to answer all my questions and made sure everything was done right. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for high-quality driveway sealcoating and excellent customer service. Definitely a 5-star experience!"
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.
Drilling into brick doesn’t have to be a dangerous project if you prep and approach it with the right tools and techniques, but it does come with risks if it’s not done correctly. It can lead to significant issues, such as damaging the brick or affecting the wall’s structural integrity. Applying too much force can crack or chip the brick, while incorrect placement might compromise its load-bearing strength.
Solid brick structures can last a century or more, potentially 100 to 150 years with proper maintenance like tuckpointing. Without major repairs, classic red bricks may last 20 to 40 years. Brick veneer siding is also a long-lasting material, with a lifespan ranging from 50 to 100 years, provided it is properly installed and maintained. To maintain brick veneer, you should scrub it annually with a special detergent and a soft-bristled broom. It's also important to inspect the bricks and mortar regularly and hire a masonry contractor for any necessary repairs, such as fixing worn mortar or bowing bricks.
If you’re attempting to mix and pour your own mortar, expect to pay between $5 to $10 for an 80-pound bag of mix. The cost to repair mortar, however, can range from $300 to $500 for a 20-square-foot wall. The larger the area and the more extensive the repair, the higher the cost.
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.
The Auburn, MI 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.
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.
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.
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.
