Mortar that crumbles to sand
If the mortar brushes out of the joints like sand, it has done its job and worn away. We repoint before water gets behind the face and the bricks start to loosen.
Masonry restoration in Yorba Linda CA - new mortar that protects your old brick
Mortar crumbling out of your brick joints? We repoint with a mix suited to your wall and clean gently, so the brick stays protected.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free in-person estimates.
- Expect a reply within 1 business day.
What masonry restoration means for your wall
Masonry restoration in Yorba Linda is the work of putting a worn brick, block or stone wall back in good order, mostly by repointing, where we take the tired mortar out of the joints and press in fresh mortar so the wall is sound and the masonry stays protected.
Most people call us because mortar is turning to sand, gaps are opening along the joints or a crack has appeared in an older wall. The price turns on how much of the wall needs new mortar, how much cleaning it needs and how tall it is, because a wall that needs scaffolding costs more per square foot than one we can reach from the ground. The schedule depends on the same things, plus whether the old mortar should be tested before we choose a mix and whether the city wants a permit, and the estimate I write after seeing your wall gives you the figure for your own job.
The city says many Yorba Linda properties and several of its neighborhoods carry cultural and architectural value that can't be replaced once it's altered or neglected. A city policy calls for making economic incentives available to promote the preservation and upkeep of historic homes, and if your house is older, the city's Historic Property Survey is worth a look before work starts. That's why we take such care with the mortar on an older wall, so a repair doesn't change what made it worth keeping. We're based in Yorba Linda and work in many of the cities around it, including Placentia, Fullerton, Orange, Irvine and Norwalk.
I write every estimate myself
I come out to look at each wall and write the estimate myself, so the person explaining the repair to you is the same one checking the work on site.
Our own masons do the work
The repointing and cleaning are done by our own crew of masons and helpers rather than handed to someone else, and we've been doing this work since 2017.
Licensed, insured and easy to check
We're licensed and insured. You're welcome to ask any bidder whether their state license covers masonry, which takes in brick, block and stone walls and the cleaning and clear waterproofing that go with them.
How we repoint and clean an older wall
I start by walking the wall with you and looking at the joints, the brick faces and any cracks, because the repair should fit the cause. Our crew then rakes the worn mortar out of the joints, taking care at the edges so the bricks keep their corners, and presses new mortar back in layers before tooling each joint to the shape of the old ones.
On older brick we take care that the new mortar isn't harder than the old, so the joints wear instead of the brick. We'd rather the joint be the part that needs attention again someday, because a joint is easy to redo and a brick with its face flaked off is not.
We also clean gently, because too much water pressure can scar the wall, wear down the joints we've just finished and leave the brick looking different from the rest of the house. The same care goes into new work, whether that's a brick or stone surround for a fireplace installation or stone veneer installation on a wall that needs a new face rather than a repair.
Signs your wall is ready for restoration
Gaps along the joints
When the mortar has shrunk back from the brick edges, rain can run straight into the wall. Filling those joints properly is usually the simplest way to keep the rest of the wall sound.
Old patches of gray cement
Earlier repairs on older brick were often done with hard gray cement that doesn't match. We can take out patches that are causing trouble and refill the joints with a mix suited to the brick.
Tired garden and planter walls
Brick and block garden walls take sun and sprinkler water every day, so their joints wear unevenly. Repointing the worn stretches makes the wall tidy and look like one piece again.
Get an estimate for your brick or stone wall
Send the form and we'll reply within one business day to set a time. I'll come out myself, look over the wall and write you a free estimate, and there's no obligation to go ahead.
Photos of the worn joints
A few photos of the joints and any cracks, taken close up and from across the yard, help me see what the wall needs before I arrive.
When the house was built
If you know roughly when the house or wall was built, please mention it, since it gives me a fair idea of what kind of mortar is already in the joints.
Call when it suits you
We answer the phone Monday to Friday from 6 AM to 10 PM and on weekends from 8 AM to 10 PM, so you can call (714) 386-7680 after work.
Brick, block and stone work examples
These example photos show joint profiles, mortar colors and brick and stone finishes we can talk through when we look at your wall.
Questions about masonry restoration in Yorba Linda
Here are plain answers to what homeowners usually ask about repointing, cracks, mortar, cost and permits for their walls.
What does repointing a brick wall involve?
Repointing means removing the worn mortar from a wall's joints and replacing it with new mortar. The new mortar is meant to be sacrificial, so it gives way first and the bricks stay protected. That's the heart of most restoration jobs, and it's why the choice of mix matters as much as the workmanship.
Can repointing fix cracks in my block wall?
Repointing can repair limited cracking in a concrete block wall when the crack stays mostly in the joints and holds steady in width. Cracks from uneven settling of the foundation are more complicated, and the guidance is to get a qualified design professional's recommendation on the fix. When I look at your wall, I'll tell you plainly which kind I think you have.
How much does masonry restoration cost in Yorba Linda?
Repointing brick across the US usually costs about $500 to $2,500 per 100 square feet, and that's a national range for the market, not our price. The estimate I write after seeing your wall gives the figure for your job, and you're welcome to compare it against that range.
What mortar should be used to repoint old brick?
The best match copies the original mortar's ingredients and proportions, as brick industry guidance recommends. If nobody knows what's in the wall, that guidance suggests testing a sample at a lab for its ingredients, proportions and strength. Hard cement mortar can trap moisture in soft brick, and preservation guidance describes one wall it severely damaged, so ask each bidder how their mix will match yours.
Do I need a permit for masonry work in Yorba Linda?
Ask the city's Building Division, which guides Yorba Linda residents through permitting and has procedures for tract retaining walls, fences and property line walls. We check with the city's building office before work begins on every job. When a job needs a permit, we handle the paperwork and schedule the inspections for you.
Related masonry work we also do
Have us look at your wall
Call (714) 386-7680 or send the form, because worn joints caught early usually mean repointing rather than replacing bricks.