What do I look for when buying a brick house?

• <div><p>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.</p><ul><li><p><b>Lintels:</b> Look for cracks, holes, displacement, or corrosion</p></li><li><p><b>Mortar:</b> 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.</p></li><li><p><b>Walls:</b> 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.</p></li><li><p><b>Cracks:</b> If there are stair step cracks in the brickwork, this indicates an unstable foundation.</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Are masonry fireboxes better than prefabricated ones?

• <div><p>Handbuilt masonry fireplaces are likely what comes to mind when we think about curling up by the fire at the end of the day. But bricks in the firebox and chimney tend to be heavy, which is not ideal for homes with weak or damaged foundations.</p><p>Prefabricated fireboxes come with a full flue and chimney system, significantly reducing the price and installation time. However, if you need to replace the panels down the line, you are locked into the same model or something very similar.</p></div>

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Q: What is the downside of painting brick?

• <div><p>While painting can certainly change the look of a chimney, you should think twice about giving your brick chimney the old landlord special.</p><p>Painting brick is porous, meaning it&rsquo;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.</p><p>Paint also shows wear faster than naked brick. This means that once you paint a brick surface, you&rsquo;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&rsquo;s hard to go back without some serious power washing&mdash;another added cost.</p></div>

Q: Is it better to limewash or whitewash brick?

• <div><p>The choice between <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/limewash-vs-whitewash.htm">limewash vs. whitewash</a> brick depends on aesthetic preference and the desired outcome. Whitewashing creates a softer, more opaque finish, suitable for a rustic or shabby-chic look. Since the solution is paint-based, you can use it on painted brick, unlike limewash. Limewashing offers a more natural, textured appearance, allowing the brick's texture to shine while providing a breathable, protective coating. Conversely, whitewashing is also more forgiving when it comes to application, while limewashing requires more skill but offers a more traditional and durable finish.</p></div>

Q: Does brick stain peel?

• <div><p>Brick stain doesn&rsquo;t peel or chip and is much more durable than painting. That&rsquo;s because the staining is absorbed into the brick instead of lingering on the surface as paint does. The color retains even under extreme weather conditions. Therefore, brick stain will save you a lot of time and cost on maintenance in the long run.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Stone And Gravel Service pros in Andover, OH

*The Angi rating for Stone And Gravel Service companies in Andover, OH is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Stone And Gravel Service needs.

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Last update on November 23, 2025

Reviewed in October 2020
Equipment left lying around. 2 -guys putting on roof were not always supervised - did not repair problem just bandaid. Was not told not removing all shingles but put on over prev shingles. Overpaid for amount work done. 2yrs later still picking up roofing nails in yard. Left box of nails in...
Erie Construction Midwest - Toledo
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Reviewed in March 2018
I needed someone to install a mount and hang a TV above a stone fireplace. The cable and power outlet were installed by our builder but were not in the ideal location. Brian installed the mount with a shelf and was able to maintain a good viewing level. It was a pleasure doing business with...
Evolution Integration Services
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Reviewed in May 2017
Delivery truck arrived and was unable to dump the load due to be front loaded. I had to climb into the truck and move a large portion by hand before the truck could dump. After unloading, the driver ran off the driveway and got stuck in the mud with his truck over top of the gravel he had just...
Ohio Mulch
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Reviewed in July 2016
My experience was great. The work was done timely and cleaned up after themselves. They told me upfront the job would be difficult and they might not be able to get the concrete back to original level. They did great. It is not 100% but I was able to see why. During the process of working...
Curtis Concrete Leveling and Construction
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Reviewed in May 2016
I had Grosse Construction Services build a custom home for me. Let me say that it was a nightmare during the entire building process. In addition we are still finding things that were done incorrectly even 5 years after the build was complete. The first obstacle, our foundation walls were off by...
Grosse Construction Services LLC
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Reviewed in April 2016
They did a pretty good job with the kitchen counter top (granite) install, however, they claimed that we did not order the counter top stone sealer. The order sheet provided to the installers, on the day of installation, had everything on it that I ordered except the stone sealer. I had to call...
Discount Granite And Home Supply
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Reviewed in April 2016
Was able to do as much or as little as I wanted online. I shopped, figured out exactly what I wanted, and placed an order. 25% deposit. I had gravel delivered, as instructed by Brian Miller. They built the shed in modules in the shop and arrived with a pick up truck and a trailer. They dug...
Ohio Shed Builders
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Reviewed in January 2012
The offer of $349 for 50 ft. of Pavers was just perfect for what I needed. I have a wood deck with a set of steps off the back and another set of steps on the side. I merely wanted a landing of pavers at the foot of each set of steps, one being 6 ft. x 5 ft. and the other being 5 ft. x 4 ft. ...
Property Worx
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Reviewed in October 2007
The trucks were always on time. The driver's were careful to not damage the yard or driveway with their heavy equipment. They recommended a less expensive alternative of adding sand and gravel to the mixture to help in the filling of the pool. We needed much more dirt than we thought and would...
Jones Topsoil Co
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Reviewed in October 2005
EXCELLENT WORK. TIMELY RESPONSE WHEN WE WERE WITHOUT WATER. DID A GREAT JOB BRINGING WATER LINE THROUGH A NEW LOCATION IN OUR 107 YEAR STONE FOUNDATION. MOVED METER TO A BETTER INTERIOR LOCATION, WHICH REQUIRED A SMALL AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL INSIDE PLUMBING. MINIMIZED DAMAGE TO OUR YARD AND...
Kapp Excavating Inc
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Landscape Soil, Sand, Mulch and Rock Delivery

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Patriot Excavating

Patriot Excavating

Five Hounds Construction LLC

Five Hounds Construction LLC

DeadON Construction Solutions

DeadON Construction Solutions

MULLINS GRADING & CLEARING LLC

MULLINS GRADING & CLEARING LLC

Construction Doctor

Construction Doctor

Walhonding Valley Sand & Gravel Co.

Walhonding Valley Sand & Gravel Co.

Jones Contracting & Construction

Jones Contracting & Construction

C N J Wolfe Construction

C N J Wolfe Construction

Snell Service

Snell Service

Total Home Improvement (THIsidney)

Total Home Improvement (THIsidney)

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