Masonry Contractor in El Monte, CA - Walls and Chimneys Built for Wind and Shaking
K&L South Whittier Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor in South Whittier, CA, working in El Monte. We repair worn mortar, cracked walls and leaky chimneys, and we build block walls, walkways and outdoor kitchens.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free quotes on site.
- Replies within 1 business day.
Our masonry work in El Monte
Foundation repair
When a foundation cracks or a corner drops, we find out what moved first. Then we repair the block or concrete so the fix matches the cause.
Chimney repair
A leaky chimney usually comes down to a cracked crown, loose brick or failed mortar joints. We find where the water gets in and fix that first.
Tuckpointing
Tuckpointing is grinding out worn mortar and packing in fresh so the joints shed water again. It suits brick that's still sound but has sandy, sunken joints.
Brick repair
If a brick is cracked, chipped or spalling, with its face flaking off, we cut it out and set a matching one so the repair blends into your wall.
Driveway pavers
Pavers on a packed base flex with small movement instead of cracking. If one breaks, we lift it and swap it without tearing up the whole driveway.
Retaining wall construction
Where a yard steps down or soil is pushing on a fence, a retaining wall holds it back. The drainage behind the wall matters as much as the block.
Masonry restoration
Older brick and stone that's stained, cracked or badly patched can be cleaned, repointed and repaired so it looks right and keeps water out again.
Fireplace installation
We build brick and stone fireplaces, laying the firebox, hearth and surround to the plans and finishing the face in the material you pick.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer is thin stone set over a wall, so you get the look without the weight. It needs proper backing and flashing, or water gets behind it.
Concrete block walls
A block wall along a property line or around a yard goes up on a proper footing, with steel and grout wherever the wall needs the strength.
Foundation block wall installation
For an addition or a raised floor, we lay block foundation walls on the footing, filled and reinforced the way the plans call for.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build the block base, counters and brick or stone facing for an outdoor kitchen, leaving room for the grill and the lines it needs.
Walkway construction
A walkway in brick, pavers or stone gets a packed base and a slight slope, so rain runs off instead of pooling at your door.
Brick wall installation
We build new brick walls, from a low garden wall to a full privacy wall, laid course by course and tied together so they stay straight.
Stone masonry
Natural stone for walls, steps, planters and facing, fitted by hand so each piece rests on the stone below it and not just on mortar.
Brick pointing
Brick pointing is shaping and finishing the mortar joints. On new work or a repair, we strike each joint to match the old ones so it sheds water.
How we work in El Monte
We're based in South Whittier and do brick, block and stone work in El Monte, the same as we do in West Covina and Anaheim.
Price turns on how much wall or brick there is, the material and how easy the work is to reach. The schedule turns on permits and weather, and the estimate gives you the figure for your own job.
Built for the wind
The city's building design criteria use a 95 mph wind gust, so a permitted chimney or tall wall here is designed to stand up to it.
Permits go through the city
Whether your job needs a permit depends on the work and your address. We check before we start, and when one's needed we take care of it as the licensed contractor.
Designed for shaking
The city's criteria put El Monte in seismic design category D unless a soils report for your lot sets another, so permitted walls and foundations are built for strong shaking.
How the work gets in
On the visit I look at gates, side yards and slopes, because how block and mortar reach the work changes the plan.
From your call to the walkthrough
I look at every job myself and work beside my crew, so you know who's on your property.
Call or send a request
Call (562) 358-3030 or send the form and tell us what you're seeing.
I come out and measure
I measure the job and ask your address to confirm which permit office covers it.
You get the estimate
You get a written price for what the job needs, and I'll tell you what can wait.
We do the work
If you go ahead, my crew and I do the work, with any permit handled first.
The walkthrough
I walk the finished job with you, and we clean up before we leave.
El Monte masonry questions, answered
Read through these answers, and if your question isn't here, call or send the form and ask us.
Ask us directly
Call (562) 358-3030 or send the form with any question these answers don't cover.
Who handles building permits for masonry work in El Monte?
The city's Building Department is the main contact for plan review, permits and inspection on projects inside El Monte. Its counter staff tell you which other city departments apply to your project. When your job needs a permit, we take care of it as the licensed contractor.
Do I need a permit for work on public property in El Monte?
Yes. The city's Public Works Department issues permits for work on public property, and no work can start there without one. The contractor has to show a valid El Monte business license, a contractor license, and liability and workers comp insurance that names the city as an additional insured.
How much does a permit for masonry work cost in El Monte?
Building permit fees come from the Building Division's posted fee schedule, which the city recently raised. Public Works fees depend on the type of work on public property and the staff hours it takes to review and inspect it. I'll tell you on the visit whether your job needs either one.
Which building code applies to a masonry project in El Monte?
New permit applications in El Monte are designed to the current California Building Standards Code, with Los Angeles County's amendments. An application filed before the switch can stay on the older code while its plan check is still active, but once it expires you file again under the new code.
Can I apply for a masonry permit online in El Monte?
No. The city's online portal only takes residential electrical panel upgrades and water heater change outs, so other applications go in person to Building and Safety, with no appointment needed. Its permit applications page also lets you check whether your address is inside the city's jurisdiction.
Should I repair a cracked block wall or replace it in El Monte?
A cracked block wall can usually be repaired if it still stands straight and the footing hasn't moved. A hairline crack can often wait, and I'll tell you if yours can. A wall that leans or keeps opening usually means the footing or drainage has failed, and that's when rebuilding makes sense.
Tell us about your El Monte masonry job
Send the form or call and tell us what you're seeing and where. We reply within one business day, and I come out for a free, no-obligation estimate on site.
Whittier, CA 90604