Brick repair in Salinas CA - mortar joints that wear before your brick does
Crumbling mortar, loose bricks or cracks you keep noticing? We find out why it happened, then repair the joints so the wall is tight again.
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Does my brick wall need repair, or just new mortar?
Brick repair in Salinas usually means repointing, where we clear worn mortar out of the damaged joints and pack in fresh mortar so the wall is tight again. The joints tend to give out first because brick usually outlasts the mortar around it, so a lot of what looks like bad brick is really tired mortar.
Most people call us after they notice sandy mortar on the ground, a joint they can push a key into, a crack running through the wall or a brick that rocks when they touch it. The price moves with how many joints and bricks are damaged, whether we can save the old bricks or have to find matches, and how hard the wall is to reach, like a second story or a chimney. The schedule mostly depends on whether the job needs a permit and how long it takes to find brick that matches yours. When I come out, I'll write down the work and materials your wall needs and why, so you're looking at your own job and not a guess.
How our brick repair works
Before we fix anything, I want to know why the brick cracked or came loose, so I'll ask whether you've seen leaks inside and look at how water runs down the wall from the roof, gutters and sills. Once the cause is clear, our crew cuts the worn mortar out of the damaged joints and clears out the dust so the new mortar bonds, then packs the joints in layers. We use a mortar softer than your brick, so future wear shows up in the joint, which is easy to redo, and not in the brick. Cracked or loose bricks get cut out and reset or replaced, we tool the joints to match the rest of the wall, and we clean up before we leave.
Brick repair often sits next to other work around the house. If the brick steps or edging we're fixing meet a cracked driveway, we can redo the drive in driveway pavers so the two look like they belong together. When a brick garden wall is leaning or bulging because soil is pushing on it, new mortar won't hold it, so I'll talk with you about retaining wall construction with a real footing and drainage behind it.
Brick repair permits and older homes in Salinas
I can't tell you from here whether a brick repair at your house needs a permit, so the place to ask is the city's Permit Center, which reviews, issues and inspects building permits in Salinas. If your job does need one, we handle the application and the inspections with the office that covers your property and keep you posted on where it stands. If your house is a local historic resource, the city's Historic Resources Board gives owners guidance on restoring and maintaining historic properties, and it's worth asking them before we touch the mortar.
Most of the brick we repair around Salinas is on older homes, chimneys, porch steps and garden walls, and the damage usually traces back to water running the same path down the wall. We're based in Salinas and work in the cities around it, and we see the same kinds of houses and worn joints on jobs in Prunedale and Monterey.
Brick and mortar repair work
Get a written brick repair estimate
We reply within one business day, by phone or through the form, to set a time for me to come out. The estimate is free, on site and comes with no obligation, and I'll write down the work, the materials and the reason for each so you can compare it fairly with other bids.
(831) 243-7031Brick repair questions from Salinas homeowners
How do I know if my brick needs repointing?
Your brick needs repointing where the mortar has worn back more than 1/4 inch, crumbles, has holes, or shows cracks, including hairline cracks and gaps between brick and mortar. Only those damaged joints need repair, and original joints in good shape are better left alone. I'll mark which joints on your wall fall into that group.
Should I fix cracked mortar on my brick house right away?
Not always, because brick walls with an air space behind the brick can handle the extra moisture that gets through minor cracks. Repair makes sense when the cracks line up with water getting into the house and other causes have been ruled out. If you've seen leaks inside, show me where they are so I can compare them with the cracks outside.
What mortar should be used to repoint old brick?
The new mortar should be equal to or lower in strength than the original, according to the Brick Industry Association. A mortar that's too strong can damage the brick around it and make the face of the brick break away. I'll write the mix I plan to use on your estimate, so you can ask any other bidder the same question.
How long does repointing brick last?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, depending on how exposed the wall is to weather and what materials went into it, while the bricks themselves may last well over 100 years. That means a brick wall usually needs some joint repair now and then over its life, and that's normal. Our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
How much does brick repair cost in Salinas?
Brick repair in Salinas is priced wall by wall, because the cost follows how many joints and bricks need work and how easy they are to reach. On historic brick, cutting old mortar out by hand with chisels takes more labor, but it's usually the safest way to protect the bricks and gives the best-looking result. I'll only price the joints and bricks that actually need it.
What causes white stains on brick walls?
White powder on brick shortly after it's built usually comes from normal drying, but white staining that keeps coming back later likely means water is getting into the wall and staying there. If you see it returning, point it out when I visit, because it tells me where to look for the water.
Get your Salinas brick repair started
Call (831) 243-7031 or use the form, and have photos of the cracks, worn joints and any indoor leaks ready so I can see the pattern before I come out.