"Jakob W., Austin H., and Nathan H. Demonstrate some great team work getting the foundation work done clean and efficient. Fantastic communication before, during, while closing up the details of the project. Each where professional, polite, and positive attitude. Except for the missing steps at the patio door we can hardly notice they had the foundation dug up the day before."
"Steve and his team did an excellent job on our project, which included adding insulation to our attic spaces, sealing the attic and basement, removing old insulation in the basement, and treating the basement for mold. Steve helped us feel comfortable and confident about the work that needed to be done to the house. Joe and Rick did excellent work on the project, which was completed quickly. Would work with again!"
"Workers showed up on time. Big job installing tiles to waterproof our 110 year old house. We are very happy with the results. It was an expensive project but well worth the money"
"Rangel Water Proofing and Construction employees were very professional and knowledgeable. I was very happy and impressed with work performed, and would definitely use them again, in the future."
"I Cut Lawncare did a great job putting in the retaining wall. They put in so much time and effort into making sure it turned out perfect, everything looked clean and even. The crew worked hard, stayed on time, and kept the area tidy. They made sure the wall was sturdy and looked good from every angle. Now it holds rock (along with the under drain) perfectly and makes the yard look way better. You can tell it was built right and will last a long time."
"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 good and worked really hard. Had trouble with the old sump pump hole so stayed until they were able to get everything done. The guys were very polite also"
Stone houses used to be much more practical, but with the advent of stronger and cheaper materials like concrete, they aren’t seen as much anymore. There are some parts of the world where it makes sense to build with stone, and they are usually next to a stone quarry. Stone is, however, very weather-resistant, which is why many homes near the sea and on mountains are still built with local stone.
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.
Depending on the amount of soot present, you can vacuum some of it using a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Then, remove the leftovers with a mild cleaner, such as dish soap or vinegar mixed with water. Before applying a cleaning solution, saturate the bricks with clean water to prevent the cleaner from penetrating beyond the surface and causing structural damage to the bricks.
While painting can certainly change the look of a chimney, you should think twice about giving your brick chimney the old landlord special.
Painting brick is porous, meaning it’s full of tiny holes that can soak up moisture. Those holes also allow it to dry, though. So, when you paint it, you trap any moisture inside, providing an opportunity for mold, mildew, and water damage.
Paint also shows wear faster than naked brick. This means that once you paint a brick surface, you’ll have to keep painting it to maintain a clean look. A paint job is also harder to undo on brick because of its porous nature. Once you paint it, it’s hard to go back without some serious power washing—another added cost.
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.
The Orleans, MI homeowners’ guide to masonry services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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.
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.
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.
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.
