Summing it up: Should I own a brick house?

• <div><p>If you want to make your home eco-friendly, enjoy low maintenance, and love the fact that its looks will take people’s breath away (and not because they were trying to blow your house down), then a modern brick home is right for you. You can hire a mason to get the building process started for your brick home.</p><p>But if you’re not fond of the color and don’t want to deal with the process of repointing or other repairs, consider going with vinyl or wood. These materials offer a lower cost. While they tend to require more maintenance, they don’t cost nearly the same as exterior brick house repair.</p></div>

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Q: Can you lay bricks directly on dirt?

• <div><p>No, you shouldn&rsquo;t lay bricks directly on dirt. While it might seem like a shortcut, it leads to a patio that shifts, sinks, and becomes a maintenance headache. Dirt expands, contracts, and erodes&mdash;none of which mix well with long-term stability. To build something that lasts, excavate the topsoil, compact a layer of crushed gravel, and add a coarse sand-setting bed. This layered base gives your bricks proper support, allows drainage, and helps block weeds from creeping through. Cutting corners here just means you&rsquo;ll spend more time&mdash;and money&mdash;<a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-repair-brick-patio.htm">repairing your brick patio</a> later. </p></div>

Q: What is the difference between mortar and thinset?

• <div><p>Mortar and thinset both serve the same purpose&mdash;<a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/types-of-tile-adhesive.htm">tile adhesion</a>&mdash;but have different compositions and use-cases. Thinset is heatproof and presents a wide range of possibilities due to the added polymers. Mortar is typically used for bonding stones and brick. Thinset is rarely used outside, while mortar is rarely used inside. </p></div>

Q: What is the downside of painting brick?

• <div><p>While painting can certainly change the look of a chimney, you should think twice about giving your brick chimney the old landlord special.</p><p>Painting brick is porous, meaning it&rsquo;s full of tiny holes that can soak up moisture. Those holes also allow it to dry, though. So, when you paint it, you trap any moisture inside, providing an opportunity for mold, mildew, and water damage.</p><p>Paint also shows wear faster than naked brick. This means that once you paint a brick surface, you&rsquo;ll have to keep painting it to maintain a clean look. A paint job is also harder to undo on brick because of its porous nature. Once you paint it, it&rsquo;s hard to go back without some serious power washing&mdash;another added cost.</p></div>

Q: Is it better to paint brick with a roller or brush?

• <div><p>A roller makes an excellent paint tool for brick. Using a roller can ensure the entire surface area gets painted evenly. If you choose a roller for painting brick, go for a thicker option, at least a half-inch. The key to using a roller while painting brick is making sure paint gets into the various crevices for even coverage.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Stone And Gravel Service pros in Salem, VA

*The Angi rating for Stone And Gravel Service companies in Salem, VA 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 December 05, 2025

Reviewed in July 2019
Spoke to Landon from Five Stone Lawn Care on phone & he came over the next afternoon & mowed my lawn. Great guy & business. Thanks,S.Chau
Johnson's Junk Removal
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Reviewed in October 2017
Jim has been very responsive. I hired Dogwood Creek when the company I used to build my patio and deck left my backyard in a huge mess. Jim worked with me to build a retaining wall on a steep hill under my deck, install river stone around the edge of the patio, rebury and drain pipes, and place...
DOGWOOD CREEK DESIGN LLC
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Reviewed in August 2017
I had granite countertops installed by Artisans of Stone, July 18, 2017, to complete my kitchen. This has turned out to be a nightmare. Their solution to my large gaps ⅜”-½” is to install more shiny black silicone and then sand to take the shine off. Other issues stemming from poor craftsmanship...
Artisans of Stone
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Reviewed in July 2015
Showroom staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. They gave a good description of the entire process and took the time to show several types of stone. The crew that came out and did the measuring and templates were professional. The install went well.
Premier Stone Fabrication Inc
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Reviewed in November 2013
Richard Hardy, the owner, had an appointment to meet me, see the house, discuss the details, etc. I was very excited to find someone who could do a good job cleaning, but alas.....When I talked to him to set up the appointment I told him where we live and that we had a 1/2 mile gravel driveway....
Velma R Hardy Helping Hands Cleaning Service
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Reviewed in April 2013
.They are very reasonable. They are easy to get along with. The doctors are all good. They usually get me in very promptly. The staff seems to be very knowledgeable. A lot of times I can talk to them. They might give me some hands. But they don't do it if it is something medical. They offer...
De Rolf Animal Hospital
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Reviewed in October 2012
Quality of shed work was excellent & Joe was always here when he said he would be. Generator installation included pouring a stone base to position the generator, connection of natural gas line to generator, running electrical wiring through the crawl space, mounting the transfer switch under...
Keefer Building LLC
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Reviewed in June 2012
Once the old driveway was removed a problem with the soil was discovered. Mr. Oakey added more stone to help stabilize and compacted again. It was determined that the soil needed to air dry and stabilize more before paving could be done. After almost a month they returned and determined that...
Asphalt Solutions
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Reviewed in June 2012
We have a long, gravel driveway that was in great need of maintenance. It was bumpy and had lost a lot of gravel due to improper drainage. It was especially bad in the winter when water and snow melt would freeze into thick ice. We contacted a couple of contractors who never got back to us after...
KING'S HAULING & EXCAVATING
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Reviewed in October 2009
I was looking for someone to put in a decorative concrete patio which would require taking down a fence, some excavation of a hill, installing a stone wall (to match an existing wall), along with the concrete. As I searched for a stone mason to work on the wall I received a ringing endorsement...
Rocks By David
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Dig Big LLC

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Dig Big LLC

New on AngiNew on Angi

•Approved Pro

39 local quotes requested

2 years of experience

At Dig Big LLC, we specialize in high-quality concrete work and the installation of durable, manufactured retaining walls that enhance both the function and beauty of outdoor spaces. Whether you need a strong, reliable wall to prevent erosion, define your landscape, or add visual appeal to your property, our expert team ensures precision installation using top-tier materials. Our concrete patios and walkways are built to last, offering a stylish and low-maintenance solution for any outdoor area. In addition to retaining walls and concrete surfaces, we provide custom hardscaping services to create functional and attractive outdoor spaces. With competitive pricing and a commitment to excellence, Dig Big LLC is ready to bring your vision to life. Contact us today to start your next project!

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Landscape Soil, Sand, Mulch and Rock Delivery

Gravel or Loose Fill Paving Install, Spread or Scrape

Asphalt Paving Installation

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Dig Big LLC

Dig Big LLC

Crowder Supply

Crowder Supply

Lauman Landscaping Services LLC

Lauman Landscaping Services LLC

New Design Stone

New Design Stone

The Rock Yard

The Rock Yard

Cornerstone Construction

Cornerstone Construction

Fuller and Davis

Fuller and Davis

Kiefer Land Services

Kiefer Land Services

Superior general contractors

Superior general contractors

Shiloh Land Management

Shiloh Land Management

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What’s the Difference Between Large Gravel and Small Gravel, and Why Is it Important?