Where does masonry restoration fit your project?
Pick the closest match. Each one shows how we handle that kind of job, then you can go deeper or book a visit.
For homeowners: Masonry Restoration
Work planned around the house you live in, with the rest of the home kept livable where possible.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For an insurance claim: Masonry Restoration
We document the work so your insurer can see what was found and what was done.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For commercial buildings: Masonry Restoration
Scheduled around an occupied business and built to the commercial code and the building use.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For condos and multi-unit buildings: Masonry Restoration
Coordinated with the building, the board and the access rules.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For rental properties: Masonry Restoration
Planned for durability, tenant turnover and a schedule that keeps the unit available.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
Masonry Restoration
Brick, stone and block walls repaired and repointed, so the building keeps its strength and its look.
What it is
Masonry walls last a long time, but the mortar joints wear out, bricks spall and water gets behind the face of the wall. Left alone, the damage moves into the structure and the cost goes up.
Masonry restoration repairs the joints, the bricks and the stone, and deals with the water that caused the damage.
How it works
- Survey the wallWe look for cracks, bulges, spalling bricks and failed mortar, and check where water is entering.
- Scope the repairsWe mark what needs repointing, replacing or stabilising, and what can stay.
- RepairJoints are raked and repointed with matching mortar, and damaged units are replaced.
- Clean and sealWhere it suits the wall, we clean and seal to slow future water entry.
What we look at
Repointing
Failed mortar joints replaced so water cannot get into the wall.
Brick and stone repair
Spalled or cracked units replaced with matching material.
Structural stability
Bulging or leaning sections checked before any cosmetic work.
Decision 1: Where masonry restoration is used
Masonry restoration goes into brick, block and stone walls on houses and commercial buildings. The wall type and its exposure decide the repair.
| Wall type | Typical repair | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Brick veneer on houses | Repointing and brick replacement | Joints and flashing |
| Block or parged wall | Parge and crack repair | Surface and moisture |
| Stone wall | Repointing and stone replacement | Mortar and weathering |
| Commercial facade | Repointing, anchor and brick repair | Load, safety and access |
Our pick: Identify the wall type first. The repair for brick, block and stone is different.
Decision 2: Signs of masonry damage
Masonry shows failure in the joints, the face of the brick and the wall movement. Each sign points to a cause in the wall.
| Sign | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Cracked or missing mortar | Water entry and freeze-thaw |
| Spalled or flaking brick | Water behind the face |
| Bulging or leaning wall | Failed ties or structural movement |
| White staining (efflorescence) | Water moving through the wall |
Our pick: Bulging or leaning walls need an engineer before any cosmetic repair.
Decision 3: Repointing method
Repointing removes the failed mortar to a set depth and replaces it with mortar matched to the brick. The joint profile and the colour are matched to the wall.
| Step | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Raking to depth | Enough depth for the new mortar to bond |
| Mortar mix | Matched to the brick strength |
| Joint profile | Tooled to shed water |
Our pick: Rake to depth and match the mortar. Shallow repointing fails in the first freeze.
Decision 4: Brick and stone replacement
Damaged units are replaced with units that match the size, colour and texture. Matching is not always possible, and the options are shown before the work.
| Unit | Replacement |
|---|---|
| Cracked brick | Matched unit, same size |
| Spalled stone | Matched stone where available |
| Older brick no longer made | Closest match or salvaged unit |
Our pick: Show the matching options before the work. Some older brick cannot be matched exactly.
Decision 5: Ties and structural repair
Veneers are tied to the structure. Failed ties let the wall bow, and the repair restores the tie and the structure behind it.
| Element | Repair |
|---|---|
| Failed wall ties | Replaced and fixed to the structure |
| Lintels and openings | Checked and repaired |
| Bowing wall | Engineered repair |
Our pick: A bowing wall is structural. Restore the ties before the masonry is repointed.
Decision 6: Flashing and drainage
Water that gets behind the brick needs a way out. Flashing and weep holes are checked and restored, because a repaired joint with no drainage fails again.
| Detail | Check |
|---|---|
| Flashing at openings | Lapped and directing water out |
| Weep holes | Open and clear |
| Ground contact | Clearance to prevent wicking |
Our pick: Restore the drainage with the repair. Repointing without drainage is a repeat job.
Decision 7: Cleaning and sealing
Masonry is cleaned after the mortar cures. Sealer is used only where the wall can dry, because a sealed wall that cannot dry spalls.
| Action | When |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | After the mortar has cured |
| Breathable sealer | Where water is a risk and the wall can dry |
| No sealer | Where the brick is sound |
Our pick: Seal only where the wall can still dry. Over-sealing causes the spalling it was meant to stop.
Decision 8: Permits and inspection
Masonry repair is usually no permit. Structural repair, engineered ties and load-bearing work need an engineer and a permit.
| Scope | Check |
|---|---|
| Repointing and brick replacement | Usually no permit |
| Engineered tie or structural repair | Engineering and permit |
| Commercial facade | Municipal check and safety |
Our pick: Confirm the permit for structural work before the scaffold goes up.
Decision 9: After-care and inspection
Masonry is inspected after the repair and once a year after. Early cracks and new staining are the signs to act on.
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Joints | Checked yearly |
| Staining | Investigated when it appears |
| Weep holes | Kept clear |
Our pick: Check the joints each year. A new crack is cheap to repair and expensive later.
Questions
Why does brick crack and flake?
Usually water getting behind the face of the wall, then freezing and thawing. Repairing the joints and the water path is what stops it.
Will the repair match the old brick?
We match the mortar colour and the brick where possible. Some older brick is no longer made, and we will tell you what the options are.
Do you do commercial buildings?
Yes. We work on commercial masonry with the schedule planned around the building.
Related: Chimney RestorationFoundation & Crack RepairAll restoration