"I contracted DeGain Masonry to do a paver patio in my back yard. The finished project turned out better than I could have ever expected… very precise and meticulous. Clint was quick to return my calls, started and finished the project when promised and was more than accommodating in every way. I am a particular customer with high expectations of those I hire. That being said, I would highly recommend DeGain Masonry."
"Andersen Structural Solutions was easy to work with, professional and efficient! I had some questions along the way and they were kind, courteous and informative. Very impressed and will absolutely use them again for another project in mind come spring."
"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!"
"Two years ago, we hired Adam to create a custom landscaping setup to support 5 trees and an accent rock. He took the shape we designed on paper and brought it to life with paver stones filled in with rocks. He even picked up the trees from the nursery and installed them himself to make sure it was done correctly. We could not have been happier with how nice it looked then and still today. Just recently, we hired him to install a French drain to stop standing water, fill in some additional rocks under the back deck, and trim our 15 feet + arborvitae trees. He once again did a great job all around. Adam is very responsible, professional, friendly, and an expert with his work. The prices for this work were very reasonable and I will most definitely hire him again for future work."
"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!"
"Elon inspected my foundation to determine what walls were holding water. He took measurements and took time to share a video of the repair he was recommending. I will have four anchors installed on the problem wall at a very fair price."
"Chuck arrived with a helper and explained everything to us. He cleaned the chimney and left us with some estimates for potential work. He was knowledgeable and pleasant. I would use him again."
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.
Choose from an abundance of natural and synthetic options when perfecting your hardscape design. Stone veneer costs a bit less, holds up against the tests of time and weather, and also works best in curves and complex walls.
Natural stone, however, provides an organic look to a lawn while providing just as much strength as veneer. Don't forget you can chat with your mason about other common wall materials like brick, cinderblock, and concrete.
It is possible, albeit a lot slower, to break up a rock using water. You would do this by freezing and thawing the water. You could create some initial holes or cracks in the rock, then pour water into the cracks or holes and allow them to freeze (so it's best to do this in winter or in colder climates). Since water expands when it freezes, this puts pressure on the inside of the rock and causes it to crack. You could continue to pour more water in and let it freeze to continue to break up the rock.
A traditional rectangular brick that is used for siding, brick walks, and pathways is 8 inches long by 4 inches wide. If you are shopping for fire bricks, the standard dimension is typically 9 inches long by 4.5 inches wide.
Rock salt and ice melts contain sodium chloride, aka salt, and are corrosive to metal and concrete. If used frequently over time, it can cause corrosion, discoloration, chipping, and cracking to patios, walkways, and driveways. You can try a rock salt alternative or hire a professional snow removal company instead.
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.
