Masonry restoration in Encinitas CA - failing joints fixed, sound mortar kept
Mortar crumbling out of your brick or stone wall? We find what's causing it and repoint only the joints that have actually failed.
What masonry restoration fixes
Most masonry restoration in Encinitas comes down to repointing, which is cutting out failed mortar and packing in new while the bricks or stones stay put. Mortar usually lasts more than 25 years and brick well past 100, so the joints wear out first. Before we touch a single joint, we find where water is getting into the wall.
The price depends on how much of the wall has failed and how high we have to work. The schedule mostly depends on whether the city needs a permit. Your written estimate gives you the figure for your own wall. If you're adding something new, we also do fireplace installation and stone veneer installation.
What our masonry restoration covers
Restoring a worn wall is careful hand work, and these are the parts of it, from tracking down water to washing the finished face.
Finding the water
Heavy white streaks under the joints, or white deposits in one patch, mean water got in higher up. We trace where it enters before we repoint, so the repair isn't wasted.
Failing joints only
Repointing is slow hand work, and sound original joints hold up better than new ones. We mark only the joints that have failed, so you don't pay to redo good mortar.
Mortar that breathes
New mortar has to let the wall dry out, because when it traps moisture the bricks or stones take the damage. We settle on the mix before work starts and tell you why.
Gentle cleaning
We clean the wall once the joints are done. For historic masonry, preservation guidance says to start at very low water pressure, even a garden hose, and raise it only if needed.
Tell us about your wall
Send photos of the worn joints and tell us how tall the wall is. We reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate, with no pressure to book.
(760) 230-9799How we run masonry restoration
I'd rather fix why a wall is failing than patch the part you can see, and I'd rather take it slow and do it right than have it come back.
- I look at your wall myself. I come out and see the job in person, and our own crew does the work with me running the site.
- In business since 2017. I learned the trade as a helper under an experienced mason and started this business in 2017, so we've been at it nine years.
- Fully licensed and insured. We're fully licensed and insured, which matters when a crew is working on the face of your house.
- Satisfaction guaranteed. Satisfaction guaranteed on every job, and before we start I show you which joints we're fixing and which ones stay.
- Start with a look. Call (760) 230-9799 or send us your wall's details, and we'll set a time to come out.
Based in Encinitas, working nearby
Advanced Encinitas Concrete and Masonry is based in Encinitas and works in Carlsbad, Solana Beach and many cities around them. Don't see your city? Call (760) 230-9799 and ask.
How your job runs
At every stage you'll know what I found, what we're fixing and what comes next, from the first look at your wall to the final walk-through.
The visit
I come out and go over the wall myself, joint by joint, and tell you straight what I see. If most of the mortar is still sound, I'll tell you that too.
The estimate
You get a written estimate based on what I measured, so the figure fits your wall. Once you say go, we check with the city, which issues Alteration & Repair Permits, and we handle the application ourselves if the job needs one.
The work
Our crew rakes out the failed joints and repoints them, with me running the site. When it's done, I walk the finished wall with you so you can see every repaired joint before we call it finished.
Masonry restoration questions in Encinitas
How do I know if my brick wall needs repointing?
A joint needs repointing when the mortar has worn back more than 1/4 inch, crumbles, has holes, or shows hairline cracks or gaps between brick and mortar. On a low wall you can usually spot these from the ground. When I come out, I check every face and mark the joints that qualify.
How much does masonry repointing cost in Encinitas?
Across the US, repointing brick usually costs about $500 to $2,500 per 100 square feet. That's a national market figure, not our price. Your written estimate gives you the number for your wall. Call (760) 230-9799 to set up a visit.
What is the best way to choose mortar for repointing old brick?
New mortar should be about as strong as the original or weaker, because mortar that's stronger than the brick can damage the brick beyond repair. For historic buildings, preservation guidance calls lime mortar a good choice because it's soft and porous. Before we start, I'll tell you how our mix compares with your old mortar.
Who can do masonry work in California?
A licensed masonry contractor can, and California's contractor licensing board, the CSLB, counts brick, block, stone and terra cotta work as that trade. A general building contractor can take a masonry-only job only if it holds the masonry license or hires a licensed masonry contractor to do the work.
Do I need city approval to restore a historic home in Encinitas?
If your home is on the city's local Register, plan on it. The city says any exterior change to a listed structure first needs review by Development Services and the City Council. Tell us when you call so we can plan around that review.
Plan the work on your Encinitas home
Failed joints let in more water over time, so call (760) 230-9799 or use the form and we'll set a time to look.