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Avatar for Groundworks
Groundworks
5.0(
33
)
Foundation, Basement or Crawlspace - Waterproofing / EncapsulationConcrete Foundation - RaiseConcrete Foundation - Repair+2 more

Serving Bear Lake, MI and surrounding areas

Approved (Corporate)

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2007

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"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!"
Basement
Basement
Basement
Basement
Concrete

+16

210 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by83%of homeowners
Greener Earth Landscaping, LLC
4.7(
23
)
Retaining Wall - Install

Serving Bear Lake, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Most reasonable bid made among three for retaining wall, aggregate spread on drive, and loose-layering of steppers for garden. I appreciated that Chad incorporated some of my creative ideas. He fit this minor project in between two immense ones-- I waited 5 weeks, less than expected. Ted and Carlos worked steadily and hard. I appreciated their updates when I inquired about progress as they labored on."
Main entry
Stepsd
Below Damn
Top of damn
above damn

+27

Response time1 day
Response rate85%
13 neighbors recently requested a quote
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Masonry questions, answered by experts

Yes, masonry is more expensive than concrete because the labor is much more involved. With masonry, your expert will build your project from the ground up, one piece at a time, ensuring they use the proper amount of mortar or grout during construction and keeping the project level or plumb. Pouring concrete can also be labor-intensive, but it’s a bit less involved. It requires building a mold, pouring the concrete, and letting it cure. The less intensive labor makes concrete a more affordable option in most cases.

A traditional German schmear uses mortar, making it unsuitable for adherence to painted surfaces. Professionals recommend removing any existing paint before applying mortar. However, you can rough up the painted surface and clean it to test if the mortar will stick. Remember that the underlying paint's texture and color may affect the schmear's final appearance—so starting with a bare brick wall will ensure the ideal finish.

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.

Fireclay is a type of clay but it is a type of clay that, because of its chemical composition, can be fired at a much higher temperature than other clays. This results in a denser and more heat-resistant final material. Because of the high percentage of a mineral called kaolin, fireclay sinks are smoother and more durable than other clay types.

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.

The Bear Lake, MI homeowners’ guide to masonry services

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