Masonry restoration in Tampa FL - solid joints and brick that keeps its face
Crumbling joints, flaking brick or a wall that lets water in? We repoint and repair it so the wall holds together again.
Do my brick walls need repointing or a full restoration?
Masonry restoration in Tampa usually comes down to repointing your walls. We cut the crumbling mortar out of the joints, pack in new mortar and replace any brick or block that's too far gone, so the wall sheds water and holds together again.
Most calls start with mortar you can scrape out with a key, a brick face that's flaking off, or a dark streak where water runs down the wall. Water usually comes first, because a leaking downspout washes mortar right out of the joints, so we fix the downspout or the drainage before we repoint, and that can be part of the plan and the price. Beyond that, the price moves with how many joints need cutting out and how many bricks or blocks need replacing. The schedule turns on the size of the job and whether it needs a permit, and you get your own figure in a written estimate after I walk the wall with you.
Why Tampa homeowners call us for masonry restoration
You get me on the phone and me at your house, and you get a straight answer about your wall before I leave the driveway.
I come out myself
I walk every job, write the estimate myself and then work on site with our crew to do it.
In business since 2013
I learned the trade working next to my father, and we're best known for mortar and brick repair on older homes.
A fix that fits the problem
If your wall needs a few joints, that's the job, and if something bigger is going on I'll say so on the spot.
Old mortar tested first
On older homes we can send a sample of your old mortar to a lab before we mix anything new.
Licensed and insured for your job
Hillsborough County requires a state or county license for regulated construction work, so check any contractor's license before you hire.
Kinds of masonry restoration we take on
The right fix depends on what failed and why, so I look at the mortar, the brick and where the water's coming from before saying which of these your wall needs.
Ask about your masonry restoration
Call (813) 471-5857 or use the form, and I'll set a time to come out and look at the wall with you.
Why homeowners trust Cornerstone with their masonry restoration
I start by working out why the wall failed, not just where. I look at the gutters and downspouts, tap for loose or hollow brick, and check whether the cracks stay in the joints or run through the bricks, then I tell you what needs fixing now and what can wait.
When the work starts, my crew and I cut the old joints out carefully so we don't chip the brick edges, and we shape the new joints to match the old ones. We clean up as we go so you're not left with mortar dust on the walk, and the work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Masonry restoration questions we hear
How much does masonry restoration cost in Tampa?
It depends on how much of the wall needs work, so I won't put a number on it until I've seen it. Cutting out a few joints costs far less than repointing a whole wall, a tall wall or chimney costs more to reach, and finding brick that matches an older house can add to it. The written estimate after my visit gives you the figure for your wall.
How often does brick need repointing?
One national cost guide says brick and stone walls and chimneys normally need repointing every 20 to 30 years as routine upkeep. That means you can plan for it instead of waiting until mortar is falling out or water is getting in. If your house is that age and it's never been done, it's worth having me take a look.
How do I know if cracks in my block walls can be fixed by repointing?
They usually can if the cracking isn't widespread, stays mostly in the mortar joints and isn't getting wider. That kind of crack is a good fit for tuckpointing, which is another name for repointing. Cracks that run through the blocks or keep growing need a closer look, and if it turns out to be foundation repair I'll tell you on the spot.
Why does the mortar matter when repointing an older house?
New mortar should be no stronger than the old mortar already in the wall. Stronger mortar puts stress on older brick and causes spalling, the brick face flaking off. That's why we can have your old mortar lab-tested first, and why you should ask any contractor what mortar they plan to use and how it compares.
What is the best way to clean old brick without damaging it?
Go easy on the pressure, because water at too much pressure can damage the brick face, wear down the mortar joints and strip off finishes or coatings, which changes how the wall looks. That matters most on older brick. If you're not sure how hard your wall can take it, I'm glad to look before you start.
Who handles building permits for masonry work in Tampa?
The city's Construction Services Division handles all building permits and inspections in Tampa. Its list of work that doesn't need a permit names stucco up to 500 square feet but not masonry restoration, so ask the division about your job, and when a permit is needed we pull it, handle the paperwork and line up the inspections. In Hyde Park, Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights, also ask the city whether your project goes before the Architectural Review Commission, and in Ybor City, the Barrio Latino Commission.
What happens when you call about masonry restoration in Tampa?
I plan each job around your house and your schedule, and you'll know what I'd do and why before I leave your driveway.
You call me
When you call (813) 471-5857, I pick up, and we set a time for me to come out and look at the wall.
We walk the wall
I walk the job with you, check the mortar, the brick and the drainage, and tell you right there what I'd do and why.
Written estimate
I follow up with a written estimate of the work we talked about, so you have it on paper before you decide.
Work and walk-through
Once you say go, we take care of the permit if there is one, my crew and I do the work, and I walk the finished wall with you.
Masonry restoration in Tampa and nearby cities
We're based in Tampa and work in the cities around it on both sides of the bay, often on older brick and block homes. Pick your city below, or call if it isn't listed.
Get a Tampa masonry estimate from Cornerstone
Repointing a few joints now costs less than replacing brick the water has already ruined, so call (813) 471-5857 for a free estimate at your house.