"Our project was actually a crawlspace encapsulation. We have a lake cabin that was built in the 1960's. It had a dirt floor in the crawlspace with bare block masonry foundation walls. It also had old, damp batt insulation that was falling down from the joist spaces. American Waterworks came in, removed the old insulation (a nasty job!), laid down a 2 layer moisture barrier system and spray foamed the foundation walls and rim joist area. I can't believe what a difference this has made to our air quality, much warmer floors. We used to have to wipe down the windows every morning during the winter because of condensation. Not any more! I would highly recommend this company if you have the same needs!!"
"Sinan Sugurgeci was the inspector who did the inspection. I was very impressed with his knowledge and presentation of services to be done. He is the main reason why I decided to hire Innovative Basement Authority to perform the necessary work"
"The estimate was in our budget range and included a narrow sidewalk to our back fence gate. Total square footage was just under 500 square feet which made a nice front patio area. The workmanship was top notch and we have had many compliments from neighbors and friends."
At Earthscape, our uncompromising dedication to quality craftsmanship ensures that every project is approached individually, creating a personal masterpiece that meets the needs and expectations of our clients, from design to completion. We specialize in landscape and architectual stone masonry (interior & exterior). Examples of our work include: Fireplaces(indoor & outdoor), walls, flooring, facing, patios, and pool decks. We also make custom birch and stone furniture and furnishings. Let our team go to work and add the beauty and strength of natural stone to your home and landscape, creating your perfect little corner of the world.\n \n
Yes, as long as the cut is clean and the brick remains structurally sound, you can reuse it. Reusing brick is especially common for landscaping, edging, and small masonry repairs. Just make sure to file down any sharp edges before handling or installing it.
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.
Not all cracks in brick indicate foundation problems. For instance, small hairline cracks can occur as a new construction settles. However, larger cracks are often a sign of a more severe issue. Indicators of a potential foundation problem include long horizontal cracks, "stair-step" cracks, vertical cracks that appear indoors, or any crack that widens at the top. Other signs of structural damage to look for are uneven floors and doors or windows that stick. These issues could be caused by problems with the soil beneath the home or an overgrown tree.
Brick spalling—which refers to the crumbly, flaky, or pitted appearance that can develop over time—is caused by a few different conditions. These include:
Climates with constant freeze-thaw cycles
Use of non-breathable sealants
High-pressure water cleaning
Improper installation
While you can’t do anything about the weather, you can preserve your bricks by cleaning them with soapy water and a good old-fashioned scrubbing. Pressure washers may be satisfying to use, but they can eventually wear away the surface of your bricks. If you don’t have advanced-level DIY skills in masonry, you can hire a reputable masonry contractor in your area for your project.
Yes, you can use a mixture of 1 tablespoon of bleach and a gallon of warm water to clean stubborn stains from brick. Do not use bleach without diluting it in water. Undiluted bleach may cause discoloration. You can use either Oxygen bleach such as OxiClean or chlorine bleach. Always wear protective gloves and eye protection when handling bleach.
The Badger, MN 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.
