"JJ Sousa is my trusted mason for any all indoor/outdoor work. They can do so much more than just masonry as well! Recently they came up with a great design for a 40â granite outdoor staircase and a large outdoor patio with natural earth stones. They also solved a lot of drainage/flooding issues I was having! I highly recommend them for your next job. They go above and beyond for their customers!"
"Paul Swann evaluated our foundation problem and referred us to an engineer who provided a detailed repair plan. Unfortunately, the nature and scope of the proposed repair plan was outside the parameters of what Northern Basement System's themselves could provide. We appreciated their honesty and have been looking for a contractor to take on the project."
"Excellent Work on My Fieldstone Foundation! I couldn't be happier with the work Four Seasons Foundation Repair did on my fieldstone foundation. They did a great job, and I'm extremely pleased with the results. Their workmanship and attention to detail really showed. It's not easy working with older fieldstone foundations, but they handled the job beautifully. I highly recommend Four Seasons Foundation Repair to anyone looking for quality foundation work. Thank you for a job well done!"
"Just finished a visit with Foreman Doug and his crew, Devin, Sean, and Mason. Waterproofing the basement and super sound and solid work! Doug was professional and very good at keeping me in the loop with the project over the 3 day visit, and created a solid system that we are confident will keep water out of the basement forever. Above and beyond as well with problem solving when having to find solutions to fit our basement layout, all with a solid financing option/great price and 5 year warranty/ yearly inspection plan. If you are stuck with water in your basement, get Groundworks working for you ASAP!"
"Needed a cleaning. Great price! The guys were friendly and so knowledgeable. They got the job done in good timing! I’m having them come back to repair and repoint bricks ! Definitely Recommend ! Thank you Handy Andy!"
"Kendra was wonderful and understood all of our needs. Thank you to long home for helping us and sending out great and knowledgeable help! 10 stars!!!!"
"The grind and repoint work completely changed the condition of our chimney. The deteriorated mortar was properly removed and rebuilt, leaving clean, solid joints and a uniform finish from top to bottom. The process was thorough and never rushed, and it was clear the focus was on long-term durability rather than a quick cosmetic fix. Everything was explained clearly, the site was left clean, and the chimney now feels secure and weather-ready going forward. Very happy with the outcome.Highly recommend!!"
"We contacted Carl Campbell who met with us within a few days of our call.? Carl was professional, detailed and listened to our suggestions.? Carl also provided us with ideas on how to make the patio look and feel more like it was part of the landscape.? Carl is also very knowledgeable about the permit process for both the town as well as the wetlands and zoning.? Carl also sent us information on pavers and designs.? Once the final details were in place, the patio was completed within two days.? I would highly recommend Carl and his crew and will use them again in the future."
"Work was beautifully done. The chimney was ground and repointed from the flashing up; Flashing was sealed to the roof to stop water penetration; a new stainless steel cap was installed 20 3/8 x 45 1/4; waterproof masonry with a 10-year warranty. I had several other estimates and none of them came close to this. The price was very reasonable. If there is a way to upload a file larger that 5MB, I have one I would like to have published."
"very professional, top quality product. I would have this business take care of any roofing projects I had in the future as well as recommend to friends and family."
You should clean your home’s brick once per year. This applies to exterior brick, but also to cleaning brick fireplaces. Create a homemade cleaning solution with equal parts vinegar and water. Use a soft-bristle brush to scrub the solution into the face of your brick and remove dirt, algae, and stains. Cleaning will protect brick from damage and boost your home’s curb appeal.
Modern brick houses are really stick-built homes with a brick facade for aesthetic purposes only, so most have framing. With genuine brick construction, most homeowners install furring strips over the interior of the brick and then install drywall over those strips to cover the brick wall, so they don’t have traditional framing.
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.
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, concrete is significantly stronger than masonry, especially if the concrete pour includes reinforcements, like steel rebar. Concrete is a uniform material that can withstand compression, sheer force, and tensile force as long as it’s reinforced. Masonry involves the use of mortar or grout to connect individual building materials, like brick, stone, or tile. Mortar and grout are also reasonably strong and resist compression well, but they don’t come close to the strength of poured concrete.
The Lyme, NH 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.
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.
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.
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.