"This is the second time we have hired Groundworks (formerly Bakers Waterproofing) to perform work at our house. The first project was in 2017 when we had the waterproofing system installed. We called Groundworks a few weeks ago to get an estimate on lifting our front sidewalk and stairs that have sunk a lot over the past year. The steps had sunk to the point that the railings were not connected to the house, making it very unsafe for anyone coming into the front of our home. Aaron Lenker & Corbin Gillichbover were very professional and knowledgeable when they arrived to assess our sidewalk and steps to lift them. They left our sidewalk and the surrounding area better than when they arrived. Our steps and sidewalk are now level, and the railings are securely attached to the house again. We are thrilled! I would highly recommend Groundworks if you need a basement waterproofing system or any concrete lifted."
"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"
Liberty Basement Systems is your trusted local expert for All Things Basementy! We offer the best in basement waterproofing, crawl space repair, and foundation repair services. Using patented products with industry-leading warranties, we provide permanent solutions for your home. We proudly serve homeowners and businesses throughout Eastern & Central PA.
"In response to my initial email inquiry, Eric, the owner, came to the house and we discussed all of the issues and how they would deal with them. He took measurements and pictures and was very professional, polite and encouraging. Within a few days he emailed me a very precise and detailed proposal outlining all three jobs and the estimated cost. I immediately accepted. Adam came to the house and took some more measurements and pictures and said the work would begin the following week and take three days. The required permits were taken care of right away. As scheduled, Paul (the onsite foreman), Lloyd and TJ showed up and began to work. Braces were installed against the basement wall after the cracks were repaired. On the exterior a French drain was put in along the side of the house extending to the ditch out front. The old walkout was excavated and a new permentry door was installed. The work went as planned with no problems and was finished in three days. All debris was taken care of and they cleaned up when they were through. All of my questions and concerns were answered. Adam followed up the day after the work was completed to see if I was satisfied and to answer any additional questions. I also must give kudos to Cynthia, the office manager, who made the paperwork and payment process smooth and effortless. The quality of the work and the quality of the employees is just exceptional. "
"Found Rock-A-Fellas on Angies List and I'm glad I did. Bob examined thoroughly and patiently explained the construction flaws in the carport built in the rear of my home by another contractor back in 2009. Because the original contactor did not follow standard building codes and use proper construction techniques and materials, I was cited by the City of Philadelphia. Bob spoke to the Licenses and Inspections Inspector and tried very hard to figure a way to save the carport. Unfortunately, due to the poor prior construction, demolition was the only option left to me.
Bob and his three man crew arrived 30 minutes early and for the next three and a half hours methodically and carefully removed the carport, which included a roof and sides. I was very impressed with their attention to detail such as avoiding damaging the power and cable lines, reassembling the downspout, tying back the power lines after the demolition was over/
After the demolition was over, you couldn't tell there was ever a structure.
I hired Rock-A-Fellas to remodel/reconstruct my nephew's bedroom, which had termite and moisture damage. I'm also considering having Bob and his crew do a complete remodel of my kitchen, basement, and a new carport.
This was my best experience with a contractor. I give Rock-A-Fellas an A+++++ rating. "
"Contacted Mark and he quickly responded. We quickly walked through mortgage application and he found a great rate with favorable terms. Mark assisted us through the entire process, ensuring we were on schedule. He even helped us find better hazards insurance rate than we found on our own. Throughout the process, Mark was very responsive, always available and went the extra mile - often swinging by our house to drop off materials. I would not hesitate to use Mark again. "
"I get 3 estimates for my work. They were $2,000 less. Seth came the same day I called. A 2hr. Trip from my house. Explained what needed to be done. I appreciate no hidden fees after completing my basement. I will be calling them again"
Masonry uses units like bricks, cement blocks, and stone with mortar between them. Mortar is generally made of sand and a type of cement. Examples of masonry include the brick or stone on a house, chimney, or freestanding wall. Concrete is a mixture of water, sand, stone aggregate, and other materials, and is poured into forms or moldings. Types of concrete applications include driveways, garage and basement floors, and poured concrete walls in basements and crawl spaces.
When painting brick, each application method has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Spraying is significantly faster but may not penetrate deeply beyond the surface layer. Rolling is effective for working paint into the brick's texture but can be less effective on mortar joints. If you opt for a roller, choose a thick nap of at least a half-inch to ensure paint gets into all the crevices for even coverage. Using a brush is generally not recommended as it is very time-consuming and provides poor surface penetration. Ultimately, a combination of spraying followed by back-rolling is often the best strategy for a durable and even finish.
The best tool for drilling into brick or mortar is a rotary hammer drill which is a large hammer drill with low rotation speed and high torque. Regular drills with a hammer function are also excellent tools for drilling into brick when the diameter of the hole is 1/2 inch or less. It might be possible to drill into brick with a standard drill if you’re only drilling a very small hole, but note that masonry work will put a lot of wear on a standard drill, and the tool may not be strong enough to get through brick.
A chimney cleaning brick or log can help loosen creosote between professional chimney cleaning appointments. Although they can help keep your chimney cleaner, they are not a substitute for chimney sweeping and are not meant to be used regularly.
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.
The Mansfield, PA 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.
