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>

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Q: How often does brick need to be repointed?

• <div><p>Repointing brick is recommended every 25 to 30 years. Professional repointing can easily last this long if you're following all basic <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/preventive-maintenance-brick-and-stone-exteriors.htm">brick and stone maintenance tips</a>. However, you may find that you need repointing more often if you live in an area that sees harsh weather or if the construction of your home was rushed. Additionally, if you DIY your brick repointing, you&rsquo;re more likely to find that you need additional repointing more often, so every 10 to 15 years might be more appropriate. </p></div>

Q: Can you build a pizza oven with normal bricks?

• <div><p>You can use normal bricks as cladding for a concrete or clay pizza oven or as a base underneath one. Fire bricks or solid clay bricks are necessary for an outdoor pizza oven&rsquo;s floor, and you can use clay bricks for the rest of the oven. </p></div>

Q: Is brick staining cheaper than painting?

• <div><p>Initially, brick staining is not cheaper than painting. However, while it has a higher up-front cost, it may be more cost-effective in the long run. Brick stain can last for 20 years or longer, compared to paint, which usually starts to peel away in three to five years.</p></div>

Q: Do brick houses have framing?

• <div><p>Modern brick houses are really stick-built homes with a brick facade for aesthetic purposes only, so most have framing. With genuine brick construction, most homeowners install furring strips over the interior of the brick and then install drywall over those strips to cover the brick wall, so they don&rsquo;t have traditional framing. </p></div>

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*The Angi rating for Stone And Gravel Service companies in Palo Alto, PA 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 2023
The services provided was excellent. They installed a split air/heat unit which worked perfectly, installed shelving in my basement and did weekly mowing. They show up on and time completed cleanup after work was completed. Will definitely call them for future needs
Limitless Landscaping & Lawncare
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Reviewed in May 2023
Excellent experience. He returned my calls promptly. Showed up when scheduled. Kept work area orderly. We discussed options and decisions throughout the project and he kept it affordable. Very good operator.
Poletti Excavating
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Reviewed in August 2015
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS COMPANY! Starting with Mary Jane helping with design and expert advice, helping me to get a remnant stone because of size, the right tile, etc. She was always upbeat, kind, and helpful. I even made some changes to the type of fixtures I wanted and she followed through...
Lesher Natural Stone, Quartz, & Tile
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Reviewed in July 2012
The person in the office who I spoke with on the phone was very helpful and very friendly. I felt like I was talking to an old friend. When I first called I wasn't sure exactly what I needed,and I felt awkward, but her friendliness and knowledge put me at ease and the order was completed in no...
P Stone Inc
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Reviewed in June 2013
The construction started last fall with the excavation for the footer of the wall and then the wall was built on top of that. The wall was built with approximately 500 versa lok blocks. Once the wall was built it was backfilled with gravel to provide the proper drainage and then top soil was...
R Bergia Construction
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Reviewed in September 2014
At first they were very freindly and prompt until a contract was signed, the date wasn't met, the updated date wasn't met, the building finally started 6 months after the contracted completion date (due to specifics needed for attic trusses) , construction seemed slow but steady (construction...
Caliber Pole Buildings
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Scinto & Sorokach Landscaping

Scinto & Sorokach Landscaping

M and M services

M and M services

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Poletti Excavating

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Hassler Excavating, LLC

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Appleridge Stone

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R&D Hardscape Construction Inc.

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Raker Builders Co

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Flaugh's Construction and Design

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