"They were prompt , professional and honest. After assessing the damage he said that it was not necessary to repair- I appreciated his honesty in Not trying to charge for unnecessary repairs. We do plan to hire him for other work next Spring."
""If you want the job done right, Victor’s Concrete and Masonry is the way to go. Victor’s deep expertise in concrete work and honestly, just about anything else really shows through his 10+ years of experience. He’s a total professional, from the clear and fair quoting process to the actual hands-on work. If you’re looking for someone who truly knows their craft, give him a call!"
"Michael, Deron and Steven did a great job waterproofing our basement. They worked hard, paid attention to the details and got the job done. They were very polite and professional. I would have no reservations recommending them to someone needing their services. Great job guys!"
We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity and quality work. We strongly believe in giving our absolute best in all of our projects no matter how big or small. We are experts in our trade and will always keep you educated on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business!\n
"Excellent! Jorge, Olvin, Raphael, and cement pourers/finishers worked hard and finished the work in a timely manner as promised. Driveway finished on 11/19/2020."
"My attic was lacking in insulation and my crawl space was a mess. Reed’s worked and fixed both. Workers were wonderful and polite to answer all my questions I am so thankful for the fact that they came and helped me. I really don’t know what I would have done without their help. I would recommend them to everyone that has these problems. And I have recommended them to friends and family. My electric bill greatly reduced. Thank you so much thank you thank you"
"Poured a slab for my garage install. Was cool when it was poured and didn't use enough calcium to help it cure . Had to stay until 4 am to do what they could. Came back next day to finish. Gave extra money to come back and remove debris. Never showed up so I rented a skid steer and cleaned up myself. Pad has low and hi spots in it. When if rains it creates a large pool on the carport and runs into my garage. They were very nice people but think they could have done a better job. Especially after I gave them a few hundred dollars extra."
"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."
"I have no idea how many visits, appointments, emergency calls for help or just plumbing issues we have had over more than 25 years at two residents. They have always been dependable, punctual and had a great eagerness to provide exceptional service. Recently upgraded a plumbing fixture and it works great. The follow-up calls have been very much appreciated. Being a diamond club member has been well worth the money spent. I don't have any pictures."
You can purchase from many brick manufacturers and distributors via their websites, where you can also get estimates based on the quantity you need. You’ll find bricks at your local home improvement stores as well, though they won’t have as much of a variety to choose from. As for antique bricks, secondary selling websites like eBay can be a great resource.
Drilling into brick or mortar requires the use of a masonry drill bit. Masonry drill bits appear similar to standard drill bits except for the leading tip of the bit. The tip has a bulky carbide arrow-shaped end slightly larger than the rest of the bit shaft. Standard or high-speed drill bits designed for making holes in wood or metal don’t have the ruggedness or design shape you need to drill into brick. They may not go through the brick at all, and if they do, they’re more likely to overheat, crack, or dull before you finish drilling.
A traditional German schmear uses mortar, making it unsuitable for adherence to painted surfaces. Professionals recommend removing any existing paint before applying mortar. However, you can rough up the painted surface and clean it to test if the mortar will stick. Remember that the underlying paint's texture and color may affect the schmear's final appearance—so starting with a bare brick wall will ensure the ideal finish.
Yes, you can do German schmear on stone. You can account for the more textured and rough surface of stone by using a large paintbrush instead of a putty knife. A brush allows you to drag mortar across the stone to get it into all the cracks and crevices. However, a brush will cover more of the surface, so you may need a wet sponge to scrub excess mortar and expose more of your stone.
To stain brick, you should use a product specifically formulated for brick, concrete, or other masonry surfaces. These stains are designed to penetrate the porous surface of the brick and bond with it. This is different from paint, which sits on the surface and is prone to peeling, flaking, and trapping moisture that can cause damage. Water-based brick stains are often recommended because they are easy to apply, even for DIYers, and they allow the brick to breathe. Avoid using regular paint on brick, as it will not adhere properly and can lead to future maintenance problems.
The Lafayette, 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.
