"Baker waterproofing did an excellent job on my foundation. They were quick and efficient. The crew: Jeremy, Chuck and Reed were courteous and professional. They did an excellent job and left everything cleaned up afterwards."
"Successfully completed the job! Basement is dry. A warning about the amount of mess and leftover dust would have been nice, but overall, a job well done."
"Ben and his crew did an amazing job on our landscaping. Ben is a hard worker who never quits! They have done our landscaping for many years (mulching, planting, trimming, mowing, pavers, etc..) I would highly recommend him to anyone! Great guy to work for and work with!!"
"We hired Braken to solve a water issue in our basement and patio. Dan did a great job explaining what we needed, giving us an estimate. John and his crew were very professional, efficient, and completed the project for the price and time quoted. Very pleased with the results."
"The existing tubular skylight was removed, repairs made to roof and ceiling. I am very pleased with the professional and quality workmanship. Would definitely call Adam Hull again if needed."
"Hired them to inspect and a brick house and suggest repairs. Decided to stucco coat one wall and tuck point various needed spots on the house. Brian, Jake, and Kyle spent nearly two weeks doing the job. They were professional knowledgeable and kept customer service at the forefront of the process. The price was very reasonable and the quality of service was good. Would recommend"
Universal Windows Direct was founded in April of 2002 by William Barr and Michael Strmac. It was their mission to create a home improvement company that offers high quality home improvement goods at the best possible value. What began as two guys in a 350 square foot office quickly grew to become one of the nation's leading remodeling companies. Today, Universal Windows Direct represents thousands of customers and has a rapidly growing network of locations nationwide, all of which are actively involved in the communities they serve.
"Detailed estimate; worked hard to finish in a timely manner. Gave directions on what to do after they left. The only disappointment is that they had to cut drywall and I now have another expense."
"The owner and his team were amazing. They transformed my landscape following my budget and gave me the highest quality you can get. They were super communicative and explained everything in detail. I would highly recommend them to anyone."
Painted exterior brick does not usually need sealing. Brick is a porous material, so you don’t want to apply a sealant that could trap moisture inside the bricks and cause erosion and structural damage. The risk of moisture-induced damage after sealing is higher in colder climates where trapped moisture can expand if it freezes. On the other hand, it makes sense to seal really old brick or kitchen backsplashes, where moisture from cooking can weaken the brick.
Clean regularly, check for cracks, and inspect the chimney annually for safety.
Discoloration ondifferent types of brick can range from harmless to red flag. For example, efflorescence that is caused by a buildup of water-soluble white salt is considered harmless. However, green or greenish-yellow stains are caused by salts that are harmful to brick. Staining can also be caused by rust, corrosion, lime run, soot, algae, or moss.
In some cases, black stains on brick are caused by organic substances like algae and mold. However, it's more likely that the black spots you're noticing on your bricks come from carbon from vehicle exhaust or soot. Black stains can usually be removed by scrubbing the brick with a brush and masonry cleaner or power washing.
Cobblestone fell out of favor with the advent of motor vehicles. Asphalt and concrete are both much smoother surfaces allowing for a smoother ride. Asphalt is also much cheaper, especially for driveways. However, we didn’t stop using cobblestone altogether, and you can still see it as a decorative option in both homes, in parks, and in pedestrianized areas of cities.
The Carmichaels, PA homeowners’ guide to masonry services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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.
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.
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.
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.