Get matched with top stone and gravel pros in Smithville, NY

Q: What is the dimension of an average brick?

• <div><p>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. </p></div>

Q: What is the difference between mortar and thinset?

• <div><p>Mortar and thinset both serve the same purpose&mdash;<a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/types-of-tile-adhesive.htm">tile adhesion</a>&mdash;but have different compositions and use-cases. Thinset is heatproof and presents a wide range of possibilities due to the added polymers. Mortar is typically used for bonding stones and brick. Thinset is rarely used outside, while mortar is rarely used inside. </p></div>

Q: What does mortar do?

• <div><p><a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/what-are-most-common-masonry-materials.htm">Mortar is a mixture of sand and cement</a> that binds materials, such as bricks, stones, and concrete blocks, together. Think of it as the glue that fills in the gaps between bricks and stones, then seals them in place to prevent damage or deterioration. Mortar also helps spread the load across a wall or structure, keeping cracks and shifting at bay. </p></div>

Q: What cleans creosote from brick?

• <div><p>The best way to clean creosote from brick is to hire a professional chimney sweep. However, you can use a creosote log to remove excess buildup between cleanings. You can also clean minor creosote buildup using dish soap or vinegar mixed with water.</p></div>

Q: Should I drill into the brick or the mortar joints?

• <div><p>You should generally drill into the mortar joints when installing shutters on brick. Mortar is softer, which makes drilling easier and puts less strain on your tools. It also lowers the risk of cracking a brick&mdash;something that&rsquo;s a lot harder to fix. Mortar holds fasteners well enough for standard shutters, and if you ever need to patch the holes later, it&rsquo;s a much simpler job than dealing with damaged brick. Just keep in mind that if your mortar joints are too thin or the hardware calls for <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/best-anchors-for-brick.htm">brick anchoring</a>, you'll need to check the manufacturer&rsquo;s recommendations and adjust accordingly.</p></div>

Enter your ZIP and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your stone and gravel service project in Smithville, NY?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Find Stone and gravel pros in Smithville

Cowans Excavating

5.00(

)

•Approved Pro

Cowans Excavating

5.00(

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

4 years of experience

At Cowan's Excavating, we’re a small, family-run excavating business rooted in Greene, NY, where hard work meets heart. As an owner-operator, I bring hands-on experience and a personal commitment to every job, while my two young sons learn the trade alongside me as they grow—building not just skills, but a legacy. We’re fully insured, giving our clients confidence and peace of mind from the first scoop to the final grade. We specialize in: ✅ Drainage solutions ✅ Driveway installation ✅ Land clearing ✅ Brush hogging ✅ Grading and site prep ✅ Small-scale demolition ✅ Culvert installation ...and so much more. Whether you're improving your property, prepping for a build, or reclaiming overgrown land, we offer dependable service with a personal touch. Every project is treated with care, precision, and pride—because we’re not just moving earth, we’re building trust.

"Some people say you never get a good price, speed and quality work well this is the first time I came across that I was blown away with the quality of work the price and the speed I was quoted on a Wednesday in by Friday I had two buildings removed and it looks great"

Shan N on July 2023

"Some people say you never get a good price, speed and quality work well this is the first time I came across that I was blown away with the quality of work the price and the speed I was quoted on a Wednesday in by Friday I had two buildings removed and it looks great"

Shan N on July 2023

Get matched with top stone and gravel pros in Smithville, NY

Enter your ZIP and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your stone and gravel service project in Smithville, NY?

Landscape Soil, Sand, Mulch and Rock Delivery

Gravel or Loose Fill Paving Install, Spread or Scrape

Asphalt Paving Installation

Find Stone and gravel pros in Smithville

Cowans Excavating

Cowans Excavating

Austin's Home Improvement

Austin's Home Improvement

Precision earth works llc

Precision earth works llc

Empire Utility & Excavation

Empire Utility & Excavation

M.S. Ward Land Enhancement

M.S. Ward Land Enhancement

Giammarino Paving & Sealcoating LLC

Giammarino Paving & Sealcoating LLC

Cherry Atlas Construction

Cherry Atlas Construction

J Reid Farms

J Reid Farms

Gagnon Construction

Gagnon Construction

Piedmont Equipment Inc

Piedmont Equipment Inc

The Smithville, NY homeowners’ guide to stone and gravel services

How Much Does a Gravel Driveway Cost? [2025 Data]

How Much Does a Gravel Pad for a Shed Cost? [2025 Data]

6 Questions to Ask About Gravel and Loose Fill Paving

How to Lay Pea Gravel and Spruce Up Your Yard in 8 Steps

8 Ways to Reduce Dust from Your Gravel Driveway

Pros and Cons of Pea Gravel Patios

Find Stone and gravel service Pros in other cities near youNot finding what you are looking for in Smithville? Check surrounding areas for Stone and gravel pros.

Which Stone and gravel service task are you tackling?Find Smithville Stone and gravel services on Angi who specialize in any of these tasks

Find Pros for other jobs in SmithvilleIf your Stone and gravel services job is complete, use Angi to find quality Pros in Smithville for any number of jobs.