Q: Can I use a regular drill for making pilot holes in brick?

• <div><p>You can use a regular drill to make pilot holes for gutter brackets in the wooden fascia board around the top of your house, but it&rsquo;s not the best tool for brick. Instead, you&rsquo;ll need a heavy-duty power tool like a hammer drill with a carbide tip bit.</p></div>

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: Is it better to limewash or whitewash brick?

• <div><p>The choice between <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/limewash-vs-whitewash.htm">limewash vs. whitewash</a> brick depends on aesthetic preference and the desired outcome. Whitewashing creates a softer, more opaque finish, suitable for a rustic or shabby-chic look. Since the solution is paint-based, you can use it on painted brick, unlike limewash. Limewashing offers a more natural, textured appearance, allowing the brick's texture to shine while providing a breathable, protective coating. Conversely, whitewashing is also more forgiving when it comes to application, while limewashing requires more skill but offers a more traditional and durable finish.</p></div>

Q: Do I need to worry about black stains on my bricks?

• <div><p>Yes. Black stains are more than an eyesore. Some black stains can pose health concerns, especially for those with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions. Some stains can also damage the brick&rsquo;s structural integrity, harming the mortar and resulting in more expensive repairs.</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>

Ram Jack West - Seattle

Ram Jack West - Seattle

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

25 years of experience

At Ram Jack West, we treat customers with respect and care. If you notice cracks, damages, or other issues with your foundation, our team is ready to help. We have innovative systems that have been refined over our 40+ years of experience.

"Very well. They worked diligently for two days to do the repair."

Bonnie L on October 2025

At Ram Jack West, we treat customers with respect and care. If you notice cracks, damages, or other issues with your foundation, our team is ready to help. We have innovative systems that have been refined over our 40+ years of experience.

"Very well. They worked diligently for two days to do the repair."

Bonnie L on October 2025

Evergreen Sanitation Inc

Evergreen Sanitation Inc

Customers say: Super punctual

68 years of experience

Free onsite estimate

Evergreen Sanitation does it all. We specialize in all aspects of onsite systems. We also provide grease trap pumping for restaurants (800) 433-1678. Renton Septic Inspections, AAA Septic Service, A Septic Pumper, Coastal Environment, East Hill Septic Service, Eastside Septic Service, Enumclaw Septic Service, Frontier Septic Service, Greenhaus Portable Restrooms, Issaquah Septic Service, J J Jackson Septic Service, Long Septic Service, Lyon Septic Service, Maple valley Septic Service, Sani-Mart Septic Service, Sky Valley Septic Service, Tandem Service Corporation Inc, Vans Septic Service. Additional phone numbers - (206) 362-6998, (206) 362-6998, (206) 622-7070, (253) 630-5262, (253) 852-0550, (360) 336-2009. Additional DBAs - Additionl DBAs - A A A Septic Service, A Septic Pumper, Coastal Environment East Hill Septic Service, Eastside Septic Service, Enumclaw Septic Service & Frontier Septic Service. See BBB for additional phone nubers and DBAs.

"Great. It was not an easy job but they went the extra mile to get it done. Thanks."

Rick W on May 2021

Evergreen Sanitation does it all. We specialize in all aspects of onsite systems. We also provide grease trap pumping for restaurants (800) 433-1678. Renton Septic Inspections, AAA Septic Service, A Septic Pumper, Coastal Environment, East Hill Septic Service, Eastside Septic Service, Enumclaw Septic Service, Frontier Septic Service, Greenhaus Portable Restrooms, Issaquah Septic Service, J J Jackson Septic Service, Long Septic Service, Lyon Septic Service, Maple valley Septic Service, Sani-Mart Septic Service, Sky Valley Septic Service, Tandem Service Corporation Inc, Vans Septic Service. Additional phone numbers - (206) 362-6998, (206) 362-6998, (206) 622-7070, (253) 630-5262, (253) 852-0550, (360) 336-2009. Additional DBAs - Additionl DBAs - A A A Septic Service, A Septic Pumper, Coastal Environment East Hill Septic Service, Eastside Septic Service, Enumclaw Septic Service & Frontier Septic Service. See BBB for additional phone nubers and DBAs.

"Great. It was not an easy job but they went the extra mile to get it done. Thanks."

Rick W on May 2021

TILT Excavation and Land Clearing

TILT Excavation and Land Clearing

TILT Excavation and Land Clearing is a small, family owned business located in Davenport, WA. We believe in showing our children that you can make a career out of doing the things you love. And if they're like us, they aren't going to lose the joy of operating machinery and seeing how much of a difference we can make at any job we come to! We love to see the transformation we can make at your property, just as much as you do. Whether you need to demo an old shed or get your site preparation done for your home - we got you covered. We believe in getting the job done right and communicating with you throughout the project. After all, we wouldn't be in business if it wasn't for you, and we do not take that for granted. Feel free to reach out to us for a quote - we'd love to help you! Thank you for considering us, and we hope to talk to you soon. - Brooke and Trever

"I was very satisfied with the work they did for us. We were selling a farm house property and at the last minute the buyer's mortgage company required that a large dilapidated barn be removed before the sale could close. Because of our short timeline and the location's rural location, we had a hard time finding an contractor. TILT offered a bid at a reasonable price and did the job exceedingly well. There was a hiccup due to contradictory instructions given by some family members, but we cleared it up and TILT responded well. Overall, they were very responsive to phone calls and requests. We then hired them to do a second job of cleaning junk out of a two-car garage at another property."

Marc P on October 2025

TILT Excavation and Land Clearing is a small, family owned business located in Davenport, WA. We believe in showing our children that you can make a career out of doing the things you love. And if they're like us, they aren't going to lose the joy of operating machinery and seeing how much of a difference we can make at any job we come to! We love to see the transformation we can make at your property, just as much as you do. Whether you need to demo an old shed or get your site preparation done for your home - we got you covered. We believe in getting the job done right and communicating with you throughout the project. After all, we wouldn't be in business if it wasn't for you, and we do not take that for granted. Feel free to reach out to us for a quote - we'd love to help you! Thank you for considering us, and we hope to talk to you soon. - Brooke and Trever

"I was very satisfied with the work they did for us. We were selling a farm house property and at the last minute the buyer's mortgage company required that a large dilapidated barn be removed before the sale could close. Because of our short timeline and the location's rural location, we had a hard time finding an contractor. TILT offered a bid at a reasonable price and did the job exceedingly well. There was a hiccup due to contradictory instructions given by some family members, but we cleared it up and TILT responded well. Overall, they were very responsive to phone calls and requests. We then hired them to do a second job of cleaning junk out of a two-car garage at another property."

Marc P on October 2025

MTU Services LLC

MTU Services LLC

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

4 years of experience

Protect the investment you’ve made with the knowledgeable team at MTU Services LLC. We are your local basement and foundation experts serving all of Washington state and North Idaho. We offer customized basement waterproofing, foundation repair, concrete crack repair, and basement sump pump solutions and egress windows for your home. Contact MTU Services LLC today to learn more about how we can help you protect your home. Give us a call to request a quote or to schedule service. Services include: leaking basement or crawl space repairs, foundation cracks repaired, lifting piers and levelling for your home or building, sup um systems and more.

"The project at xxxxx was complete last Thursday. Impressive is an understatement for Jesse and his crew. Excellent communication; excellent followthrough and project completed within estimated timeline and completed as quoted. From our original contact with MTU Services on Aug 20th, through the proposal, scheduling and actual project, MTU has provided service excellence! Thank you!!! I recommend MTU services!"

Gina B on October 2025

Protect the investment you’ve made with the knowledgeable team at MTU Services LLC. We are your local basement and foundation experts serving all of Washington state and North Idaho. We offer customized basement waterproofing, foundation repair, concrete crack repair, and basement sump pump solutions and egress windows for your home. Contact MTU Services LLC today to learn more about how we can help you protect your home. Give us a call to request a quote or to schedule service. Services include: leaking basement or crawl space repairs, foundation cracks repaired, lifting piers and levelling for your home or building, sup um systems and more.

"The project at xxxxx was complete last Thursday. Impressive is an understatement for Jesse and his crew. Excellent communication; excellent followthrough and project completed within estimated timeline and completed as quoted. From our original contact with MTU Services on Aug 20th, through the proposal, scheduling and actual project, MTU has provided service excellence! Thank you!!! I recommend MTU services!"

Gina B on October 2025

The Final Cut General Contracting, LLC

The Final Cut General Contracting, LLC

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

9 years of experience

Here at The Final Cut General Contracting, LLC, we are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty, integrity, and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of quality home improvement services. You will find us to be competitively priced with close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships, and guarantee your satisfaction!

"Great communication, professional and the crew completed our tiny cabin interior project in a timely manner. Would highly recommend!"

Bernice L on July 2022

Here at The Final Cut General Contracting, LLC, we are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty, integrity, and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of quality home improvement services. You will find us to be competitively priced with close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships, and guarantee your satisfaction!

"Great communication, professional and the crew completed our tiny cabin interior project in a timely manner. Would highly recommend!"

Bernice L on July 2022

Ram Jack West

Ram Jack West

Customers say: Terrific value

24 years of experience

Free onsite estimate

We're dedicated to providing our clients with the very best in foundation repair, house lifting, pile driving, drilling and a variety of other projects. With over 15 years of industry experience, we take an enormous amount of pride in the attention to detail put into each of the projects we're involved with. We're known for our quality work and the integrity of our business. We look forward to building long-term relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction.

"The sales man offered me leveling and light of my foundation. The end result was my doors not being able to close, more cracking in my sheet rock on the walls and on the ceiling. The house is not level and now IÃ¢Â Â m seeking options to fix this whole debacle. Ram Jack West is sales based, not service based. Please do research before you make a $30,000 to have hire a company to repair your foundation, working with them is one of my biggest lifetime regrets."

Steven R on September 2023

We're dedicated to providing our clients with the very best in foundation repair, house lifting, pile driving, drilling and a variety of other projects. With over 15 years of industry experience, we take an enormous amount of pride in the attention to detail put into each of the projects we're involved with. We're known for our quality work and the integrity of our business. We look forward to building long-term relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction.

"The sales man offered me leveling and light of my foundation. The end result was my doors not being able to close, more cracking in my sheet rock on the walls and on the ceiling. The house is not level and now IÃ¢Â Â m seeking options to fix this whole debacle. Ram Jack West is sales based, not service based. Please do research before you make a $30,000 to have hire a company to repair your foundation, working with them is one of my biggest lifetime regrets."

Steven R on September 2023

SlabJack Geotechnical

5.00(

62

)

SlabJack Geotechnical

5.00(

62

)

Customers say: Super punctual

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

We are a family owned and operated business with locations in Spokane, Greater Seattle, Tri-Cities and East Wenatchee WA. Our company's main office is in East Wenatchee, WA. We have been in business since 2011, our contractor license is #slabjg*833k2 we are fully insured (1,000,000) and bonded (12,000) and carry all the appropriate insurances to work on your property without any liability to you. Slabjack Geotechnicals polyurethane injection SlabJacking is far superior to last centuries Mudjacking. Less invasive, longer lasting, better aesthetically and with a superior warranty. We raise settled concrete porches, patios, pool decks, shop floors, driveways, sidewalks, garage and basement floors, if it's a slab we raise it! We also underseal slabs with voids, rocking driveway and warehouse slabs. If you suspect voids we have the exact material for the problem. We seal leaking culverts, large diameter pipe, Seawall and Bulkheads, and under-seal concrete ditches and spillways. We also seal many thousands of feet of control joints and cracks in concrete using the best Silicones, Polyurea's and Polyurethanes. Other common names for our services are "pressure grouting" "chemical grouting" "SlabJacking" "Polylevel" and "Mudjacking" We are licensed in the state of Washington and Idaho. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover in addition to Business & Personal checks.

"Justin and Dustin were very professional and did a great job with a panel lift and filling cracks in the HOA's concrete cart path."

Rick B on August 2025

We are a family owned and operated business with locations in Spokane, Greater Seattle, Tri-Cities and East Wenatchee WA. Our company's main office is in East Wenatchee, WA. We have been in business since 2011, our contractor license is #slabjg*833k2 we are fully insured (1,000,000) and bonded (12,000) and carry all the appropriate insurances to work on your property without any liability to you. Slabjack Geotechnicals polyurethane injection SlabJacking is far superior to last centuries Mudjacking. Less invasive, longer lasting, better aesthetically and with a superior warranty. We raise settled concrete porches, patios, pool decks, shop floors, driveways, sidewalks, garage and basement floors, if it's a slab we raise it! We also underseal slabs with voids, rocking driveway and warehouse slabs. If you suspect voids we have the exact material for the problem. We seal leaking culverts, large diameter pipe, Seawall and Bulkheads, and under-seal concrete ditches and spillways. We also seal many thousands of feet of control joints and cracks in concrete using the best Silicones, Polyurea's and Polyurethanes. Other common names for our services are "pressure grouting" "chemical grouting" "SlabJacking" "Polylevel" and "Mudjacking" We are licensed in the state of Washington and Idaho. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover in addition to Business & Personal checks.

"Justin and Dustin were very professional and did a great job with a panel lift and filling cracks in the HOA's concrete cart path."

Rick B on August 2025

WESTERN CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS

4.85(

26

)

WESTERN CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS

4.85(

26

)

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 92% of Angi customers

Not a franchise, Family owned and operated since 1987. CCB# 94222, Serving the entire NW. FREE Estimates/ Inspections. Western Construction Systems LLC. is a locally owned, family owned and operated specialty construction company serving the entire north-west. WCS LLC. Prides its self in high quality work which is micro-managed by highly trained crews to ensure the highest level of confidant work. WCS LLC. Has also worked internationally in South America and currently has crews in Haiti. We have worked as far south as El Salvador and as far north as Alaska. We are able to attend to small residential job as well as large industrial projects.

"Western Construction Systems came out and did exceptional work at my house! They went above and beyond my expectations! They were friendly, professional, and hard-working! They took care of all the issues that I had concerns with and then some! Their prices were fair, especially for the high quality of work that they did! I know I pestered them with questions, but they were patient every single time. Before I contacted them to have the work done, I had high anxiety about the drainage issues. When they were finished, I felt confident that there were no more issues. Peace of mind is priceless!"

Robyn S on August 2022

Not a franchise, Family owned and operated since 1987. CCB# 94222, Serving the entire NW. FREE Estimates/ Inspections. Western Construction Systems LLC. is a locally owned, family owned and operated specialty construction company serving the entire north-west. WCS LLC. Prides its self in high quality work which is micro-managed by highly trained crews to ensure the highest level of confidant work. WCS LLC. Has also worked internationally in South America and currently has crews in Haiti. We have worked as far south as El Salvador and as far north as Alaska. We are able to attend to small residential job as well as large industrial projects.

"Western Construction Systems came out and did exceptional work at my house! They went above and beyond my expectations! They were friendly, professional, and hard-working! They took care of all the issues that I had concerns with and then some! Their prices were fair, especially for the high quality of work that they did! I know I pestered them with questions, but they were patient every single time. Before I contacted them to have the work done, I had high anxiety about the drainage issues. When they were finished, I felt confident that there were no more issues. Peace of mind is priceless!"

Robyn S on August 2022

SPARKS CONSTRUCTION,LLC

4.90(

10

)

SPARKS CONSTRUCTION,LLC

4.90(

10

)

Customers say: Quality work

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

Sparks Construction is a general contractor who specializes in all required skill sets needed to perform all aspects of residential, commercial, and light industrial construction. We have widened our field of coverage to meet all possible clients, because we believe everyone should recieve the quality they deserve. Serving with over thirty five years of experience in the construction field.