"Mr Hilliard and his grandson did an exceptional job repairing our bluestone patio. In addition to their superior craftsmanship , Mr Hilliard had timely communication and quick completion of our project . I would definitely recommend LH Masonry for any masonry projects"
"A home inspector indicated we needed a foundation specialist do work on our old cellar. The gentleman from Lux could have gotte. Work from us but instead was honest and said we just needed to get a handy man to do a couple things. This is how you know youre talking to a true professional."
"We needed a reliable contractor to fix problems with our foundation. Lux Foundation Solutions was recommended to us based on previous work by the West Virginian realtor we worked with for our house. First, Matt came out, performed an assessment and explained everything well. He was friendly and answered all my questions about the work being performed. That set the tone for a great experience! After the estimate was received I made an appointment. The day of the appointment Adamâ s team arrived exactly on time: I live somewhat remote and that his team was on time really speaks for the company and itâ s work culture and ethics! Adam and his team worked in the crawl space, which was difficult for me to get into. Adam kept me informed throughout the process and even took pictures after the job was done to show me the results. The quality of the work speaks for itself! Iâ m very happy to have hired Lux Foundation Solutions and they are my first company to call if another job needs to get done! I highly recommend the company for your crawl space work!"
"The owner called me and asked for me to describe exactly what I saw on my foundation. The owners experience and expertise was great in that he knew I had no problem and he explained how foundations are often poured and why they do it in such ways. The owner told me that if someone else came out and told me different that they didn't know what they were doing and that he would be happy to come out himself to take a look anyway. That is how you do business."
"The crew was very experienced and was able to perfectly match the brick on our house, which was built in 1978. They kept us fully informed of progress and ensured that the work area was left spotless. We recommend them highly."
"We hired JES to stabilize the footers, slab floors, and a very large stone fireplace in the center of our home. This was a major project due to the age and structure of our home and it involved a considerable amount of work inside and outside of the home. Our salesman, Howard Glancy spent a considerable amount of time with us going over every detail and carefully explaining what needed to be done in order to achieve the results we desired. Our project manager, Moises Paz did an outstanding job informing us about what we should expect during the project as well as answering questions along the way. The foundation repair team (Jose Lopez (foreman), Victorino Joya, Daniel Yacila, Irvin Franco) that were responsible for installing the 13 push piers and 19 slab piers needed to stabilize the footers, slab floors, and a fireplace were always very professional and accommodating. This hardworking team arrived each day as scheduled, they answered questions, kept us informed on each stage of the job, and always left the job site neat. JES could not have assigned a better team to complete this portion of our project. I can’t thank them enough for helping make the experience manageable for us. The team responsible for injecting the poly filler under our home’s slab (Austin Hicks and Caleb Barron) were also very professional. They too arrived as scheduled, explained the process and answered questions. They even went above and beyond by injecting some poly filler under a small portion of my driveway that had sunk – free of charge! If I could give JES more than the 5 stars allowed, I would. We will definitely hire JES for any future projects should they arise."
"Bobby and the Fortress Techs were very professional, considerate, and thorough. The difference we feel from the crawl space insulation from before to after is amazing. Within just a day or two that musty smell in the house that was coming from the crawl space was gone! Bobby kept us informed throughout the entire process and finished the project on time. I would highly recommend Fortress Foundations Solutions to everyone; we were extremely satisfied with the outcome and the high quality customer service we received."
"We are very satisfied with Shamrock. When we requested an estimate for our projects, they quickly provided a clear, reasonable quote, and all our questions were answered. After we accepted the proposal, they showed up next week and completed the work. Everything we needed was done very well. Highly recommended."
We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We are experts in all aspects of roofing projects and specialize in asphalt shingle installations and replacements. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!
Yes, brick should be clean before staining to ensure the best results. Dirt, dust, mold, mildew, and other substances on the brick can prevent the stain from properly adhering to it. Thoroughly cleaning the brick allows the stain to penetrate and bond to the surface more effectively. Cleaning typically involves using a pressure washer or a stiff brush with mild detergent. However, stubborn residue may require a specialized masonry cleaner.
A well-made brick wall can last up to 100 years if maintained properly, which includes regularly repairing the mortar every 30 to 50 years. If your brick wall is under 30 years old and is already showing signs of repair, it may be due to poor brickwork and installation. Extreme weather conditions can also accelerate a brick wall’s life span (especially the exterior of a house).
For most brick cleaning jobs, including fireplace bricks, use a masonry sponge and a gentle cleaner. A simple solution of equal parts water and vinegar, or a few drops of dish soap in a bowl of water, can effectively remove grime. For tougher stains, you can use a dedicated masonry or fireplace cleaner. It is crucial to wet the bricks thoroughly with water before applying any cleaning solution to prevent the brick from absorbing it, and to rinse the surface completely afterward. Harsher cleaners containing bleach or ammonia should only be used as a last resort, and they should never be mixed together.
Yes, staining a brick home can increase a home’s value, assuming your pro does a good job and you keep up with maintenance tasks. Staining brick is a much better way to increase a home’s value than painting brick, as the latter can cause chipping, warping, and bubbling. Brick stain, on the other hand, gets absorbed by the surface, so it can still breathe.
Professionally done brick repointing can last 20 to 30 years, sometimes longer. However, the exact lifespan depends on several factors, including the quality of the mortar, the skill of the mason, and exposure to weather. If you live in an area with harsh weather or frequent freeze-thaw cycles, you may need to repoint more often. Repointing that is done as a DIY project may only last 10 to 15 years. It's time to repoint when you notice signs of mortar failure, such as crumbling or missing mortar, holes, or vines growing between the bricks. Regular inspections can help you catch these issues early.
The Bluemont, VA 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.