Older brick houses
Most of our restoration calls in Fresno and the cities around it come from older brick homes where the joints have worn back but the brick is still solid, which is what repointing fixes.
Masonry restoration in Fresno CA - mortar joints that hold and brick that stays whole
Crumbling or cracked mortar between your bricks? We renew the joints and clean the wall gently, so the brick stays sound.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free on-site estimates.
- We respond within 1 business day.
What masonry restoration involves for your brick
Masonry restoration in Fresno is mostly repointing, where we rake the worn mortar out from between your bricks and pack the joints with new mortar. When the wall needs it, we also clean it gently so the brick keeps its face.
Most people call us when they see mortar crumbling out of the joints, sand collecting at the base of a wall, or a chimney with tired joints, which our chimney repair page covers in more detail. The price moves with how much wall needs new joints, how deep the old mortar has worn, how high we have to work and how much cleaning the brick needs. The schedule mostly turns on the size of the wall and on whether a permit or a historic review has to come first. We're based in Fresno and work in the cities around it, including Clovis, Madera, Selma, Sanger and Kingsburg, and the estimate gives you your own price in writing.
I come out and price it myself
I look at your walls and write the estimate myself. Our own crew does the work with a lead mason running it, so nothing gets lost between the price and the job.
A small fix when that's enough
If a few joints on one wall are the only problem, I'll tell you that and price just those, because I'd rather fix what's worn than sell you a whole wall.
Licensed and insured in California
California requires a state contractor's license when labor and materials total $1,000 or more, or when the job needs a permit or extra workers. We're licensed and insured for that work.
How we repoint and clean old brick
I start by walking the wall with you and telling you whether the worn joints can wait or should get done now, because not every crack is an emergency. When you're ready, we cover the ground and plants below and rake the old mortar out to a sound depth, working carefully so we don't chip the brick edges. Then we mix the new mortar to suit your brick, pack the joints in layers and tool them to match the joints around them. If the brick needs cleaning, we start with the gentlest wash that works and stay away from grinders, sanding discs and grit blasting, since those take part of the brick's face off along with the dirt.
Restoration often leads to the next project. Once the joints are sound, some homeowners move on to a new hearth with fireplace installation, and others dress up a plain block or concrete wall with stone veneer installation so it sits well next to the restored brick.
Walls and surfaces we restore
Chimney joints above the roof
A chimney takes weather on every side, so its mortar often wears faster than the house walls. We repoint the joints and tell you plainly if the chimney needs more than that.
Garden and yard walls
Freestanding brick walls lose mortar from both faces and the cap. Renewing the joints keeps the wall tight, and walls that stay straight and solid are what we're known for.
Dirty or stained brick
Old brick that's gone dark with grime can usually be cleaned without wearing it down. We test a small spot first and stay with the mildest method that does the job.
Get a written price for your mortar repair
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day to set a time. I'll come out, look at the wall and give you a free estimate with no obligation, with the price in writing.
Send photos of the worn joints
A few clear photos of the worst joints, one up close and one from a step back, help me see what I'm walking into before I get to your house.
Tell us if it's historic
If your home is a designated historic property, mention it on the form, because a historic review can come before the permit and we'll plan the schedule around that.
Satisfaction guaranteed on every job
That's the promise on every repointing and cleaning job we take, whether it's a few joints by the back door or a whole side of the house.
Brick and stone masonry examples to talk over
These photos show joint styles, mortar colors, cleaned brick and stone faces, good starting points for talking through what suits your house.
Questions about repointing and old mortar
Here's what Fresno homeowners usually ask about worn mortar, new mixes, timing and the permits that come before the work starts.
What is repointing, and is it the same as tuckpointing?
Yes, repointing, pointing and tuckpointing all name the same job, removing the worn mortar from the joints and replacing it with new mortar. The bricks stay in the wall. Only the joints that hold them get renewed, which is why repointing is the heart of most masonry restoration.
How do I know if the mortar on my brick house needs repointing?
Look for mortar worn back more than 1/4 inch, mortar that crumbles, gaps in the joints, hairline cracks, or cracks running between the brick and the mortar. A brick trade group lists those as the signs that call for repointing. If you see them, take a few photos before you call.
Does cracked mortar need to be fixed right away?
Usually not. Many walls, such as cavity walls and brick veneer walls, can handle some extra moisture coming through minor cracks in their outer layer, so you can plan the repair instead of rushing it. Which kind of wall you have and how far the wear goes is what we check at the estimate.
What kind of mortar should be used to repoint old brick?
New mortar should be similar to the old mortar or weaker in how much crushing force it can bear, because a stronger mix can damage the brick in a way that can't be repaired. It also has to let moisture move out of the wall and dry. Ask any contractor how their mix compares with yours.
How long does repointed mortar last?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the bricks may last well over 100. So the joints wear out long before the brick does, and an older wall may need its joints renewed more than once over its life. That's normal, and it isn't a sign the brick is failing.
Do I need a permit for masonry restoration in Fresno, including on a historic home?
The City of Fresno says any owner who plans to build, alter, repair or demolish a building or structure has to get the permits the work requires. On a designated historic property, the application generally goes through a historic review first, which can take up to 10 business days once the city's preservation specialist has it. When a job needs a permit, we file it and handle the paperwork.
Get your worn mortar looked at
Call (559) 319-0148 or send the form, and you'll know what your wall really needs before you spend anything on it.