"It went well. The crew (which included the owner) worked hard to contain and remove as much debris as they could. Their craftsmanship was remarkable; the new chimney looks clean and sleek. Further, Kaied and office staff were professional, very responsive and friendly."
"Lucas was outstanding - quoting, price, service, quality work, etc. The entire experience was tremendous. Truly cannot recommend this person enough! You will not regret it."
"I had cement crumbling away from some of the brickwork on house. I had What The Brick Masonry come. They repaired all the cracks. Also checked my chimney and repaired areas there with new cement also. It was a very small job, but it wasn’t something I could do myself. I was very satisfied with the work done. Impressed me that they got back to me the same day I requested them. Also impressed they came the next day to get work done. If I need any more work done I would definitely hire them again!!!!! Cheryl Resch"
"The work was done as promised. Care was taken to use the correct products for the decorated surfaces and standard surfaces of the driveway. The power washing and sealing were carefully done, and a worker came back the next day to check the work and touch up any small spots that may have been missed. The completed work looks good, and we are pleased with the result."
"This company was fantastic. During one of the worst rain and melting snow situations we've had in years in WNY I couldn't believe how prompt they were during a crazy time. Kyle came and did an estimate within an hour of my speaking to him and had his guys there the next day to complete the project. Super professional, I would recommend these guys to anyone. I'll be using them in the future."
"Excellent company!! Tony, the owner, came out to do the estimate himself, and his professionalism and thoroughness in describing the work to be done (backyard drainage), and the benefits of using his company, ultimately won me over. The price was more than fair and his crew was top notch and completed the work on schedule. I highly recommend!!!"
"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"
"They came when they said the first time, but it took a while for the repairs to be done. The finished work does not look like the images on brochures but it is working inside, keeping us dry. However, now we have new problems that I am not sure if related outside."
"Miguel and Adam came on October 7 to reseal the outside wall under our deck. It was done years ago and needed to be redone. The work was difficult because they needed to crawl underneath the deck, but they did what needed to be done. The wall was neatly covered and stones were carefully laid. They set up a backup pump and were careful to do a good job. Miguel explained to me how to set up the “Purple Pump Spy” and was patient and genuinely concerned that I understand how it worked. He did not rush me as I tried to understand the main pump and backup and I even touched underneath the pump. I very much appreciated the care and understanding."
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.
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.
Yes, it is normal to see some minor hairline cracks in brick or mortar over time, often due to natural foundation settling. However, not all cracks are harmless. You should be concerned and contact a masonry professional for an inspection if you notice cracks that are getting wider or longer, or if new ones keep appearing. Other serious warning signs that can indicate significant structural or foundation damage include large vertical cracks (especially those that widen as they go up), stair-step cracks, L-shaped cracks, and deep horizontal cracks. Factors like temperature changes, moisture, and structural loading can also cause cracks to form or worsen.
Landscape boulders, especially porous stones like sandstone or granite, can crack or break over time. Cracks occur when water seeps into the surface of the stone and freezes. The risk is highest when it rains during the day and temperatures freeze overnight since the moisture has time to penetrate deeper into the rock before expanding.
Yes, it is essential to prime or seal a brick fireplace before painting. Brick is a porous and highly absorbent material, so without a primer, paint can seep into the surface, resulting in uneven coverage and allowing the natural brick color to show through. To avoid this, apply one or two coats of a masonry primer. The primer will seal the brick and provide a smooth, uniform layer for the paint to adhere to. Ensure the primer is completely dry before applying the topcoat of paint.
The Tonawanda, NY 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.
