What do I look for when buying a brick house?

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

Can it be dangerous to cut stone as a beginner?

• <div>Cutting stone comes with a number of safety hazards. First and foremost, if you’re not comfortable with the equipment required to cut stone, including blades and grinders, you could easily injure yourself. The heavy machinery also poses a risk to your ears if you don’t wear proper ear protection; similarly, you need to wear eye protection to keep debris from irritating your eyes.However, the biggest risk from cutting stone comes from the stone dust. When breathed in, stone dust can be a huge hazard to your lungs. Always wear a face mask when cutting stone to prevent inhaling stone dust, and thoroughly clean the work area when you are finished.To avoid injury, we recommend hiring a stone-cutting professional, rather than attempting this job yourself.</div>

Get matched with top masons in Bartonsville, PA

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your masonry work project in Bartonsville, PA?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

TRUSTED BY BARTONSVILLE, PA HOMEOWNERS

4.5
Average homeowner rating
68
Verified masonry services reviews

Verified Reviews for Masonry Work pros in Bartonsville, PA

*The Angi rating for Masonry Work companies in Bartonsville, PA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Masonry Work needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Masonry Work companies in Bartonsville, PA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Masonry Work needs.

Last update on January 19, 2026

Reviewed in July 2025
We used All 4 Masonry for our stamped concrete front walkway and back walkway to our deck. We also used them for a retaining wall around the front walkway. We are happy with the work and feel the prices were fair. Ladio was very professional, he did an excellent job. There were some issues with...
All 4 Masonry LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in January 2021
I worked with Justin to redo our front exterior steps that were falling apart a couple of years ago. He provided his professional opinion on what would look best but was not pushy. They did a good job. After the job was done, if I had any questions or concerns, he was always accessible to answer...
The Grounds Guys of Stroudsburg
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2017
Started off great. Fast response to my call, and a fair estimate provided. Then it was all downhill. I received a very poorly worded contract that was missing several important (and by law, required) items. eg. date of contract, start date, finish date, PA contractor #, and my last name. I...
Mendoza Stone Masonry
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2015
I provided all the light fixtures, etc. They did a fabulous job. They were extremely neat and orderly, cleaning up all evidence that repairs had gone on there. I wasn't home at all when they were working, and they dealt entirely with my daughter and her boyfriend. I was pleasantly surprised...
Lightning General Construction
Request a quote
Reviewed in December 2013
We faced a very difficult project since our Chimney was struck by lightning earlier this year which destroyed the entire Chimney from the roofline up, damaged the roof and cracked the original lining. After much consideration and several estimates obtained from other Chimney, and Masonry...
Complete Chimney Service
Request a quote
Reviewed in December 2011
They came and the gave an estimate,then general start time and expected finish. they did the work. we were away but they new our house and we trust them.
TRS Excavating
Request a quote
Reviewed in September 2011
My husband and I had been searching for a mason to put stone veneer on our fireplace. We found Bill on Angie's list and are so glad we did. He returned my initial phone call within the hour and was here the next day to give us an estimate. From our first phone call to the end of the job he was...
Bill's Masonry Services LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in September 2010
We got Sammy's contact information (Sammy Zuniga) through a trusted acquaintance, who sold us travertine pavers. We were already ready to go with a local landscaper and mason, when we were advised that it might be better to go with him, as he ?knew? how to put those pavers (6x12) properly. I...
Asfaltisti Corp
Request a quote
Reviewed in August 2010
During the process of relacating for a new job, my home was inspected as part of the corporate relocation package. A variety of repairs were necessary in response to the home inspection report. After recieving 4 quotes in response to my home inspection report, I selected TruClean, and...
TRUCLEAN
Request a quote

Masonry questions, answered by experts

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, 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.

Cutting stone comes with a number of safety hazards. First and foremost, if you’re not comfortable with the equipment required to cut stone, including blades and grinders, you could easily injure yourself. The heavy machinery also poses a risk to your ears if you don’t wear proper ear protection; similarly, you need to wear eye protection to keep debris from irritating your eyes.

However, the biggest risk from cutting stone comes from the stone dust. When breathed in, stone dust can be a huge hazard to your lungs. Always wear a face mask when cutting stone to prevent inhaling stone dust, and thoroughly clean the work area when you are finished.

To avoid injury, we recommend hiring a stone-cutting professional, rather than attempting this job yourself.

You should worry about brick wall cracks when they are wide and growing, or in a horizontal or stair-step pattern. Additionally, they may be accompanied by other signs of structural stress. In these cases, a foundation specialist should inspect your home.

Certain towns and homeowner associations (HOAs) ban brick mailboxes because of the risk of obstruction. They are sometimes only permitted in cases where four or more homes share a mailbox. Homeowners may need to obtain special permits in some locations. One of the top masonry contractor hiring tips is to ask a local pro if they can show you examples of recent work that meets local code regulations.

The Bartonsville, PA homeowners’ guide to masonry services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Rachel Hoffman
•
Dec 2, 2025Dec 2, 2025
How Much Does Repointing Brick Cost? [2026 Data]
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.
Allie Ogletree
•
Oct 10, 2025Oct 10, 2025
How Much Does It Cost to Brick or Rebrick a House? [2026 Data]
The cost to brick a house depends on several factors, like labor costs, home size, and brick types. Use our guide to estimate your bricking costs.
Kat Brancato
•
Nov 21, 2025Nov 21, 2025
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Brick Front Steps? [2026 Data]
The cost to replace brick front steps depends on the type of brick, square footage, pattern, and more. Learn how much you may spend on this project.
Timothy Moore
•
Jun 24, 2025Jun 24, 2025
What Is Tuckpointing and When Is It Necessary?
If you’ve started researching how to update old brick or repair crumbling mortar, you may be wondering what tuckpointing is. This guide has you covered.
Scott Dylan Westerlund
•
Aug 13, 2024Aug 13, 2024
8 Tips for Mixing Brick and Stone Exteriors for a Cohesive Look
Want your home to stand out and be the envy of the town? These tips for creating a natural brick and stone exterior could be just what you’re looking for.
Rachel Hoffman
•
Aug 4, 2025Aug 4, 2025
Standard Fire Pit Dimensions Guide
A fire pit adds attractive entertainment space to your backyard. Learn about standard fire pit dimensions and what factors contribute to fire pit size.