Masonry restoration in South Whittier CA - repairs that protect your old brick
Mortar crumbling out of the joints or cracks running through your brick? We find the cause and repair the wall so the original brick lasts.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free quotes on site.
- Replies within 1 business day.
What masonry restoration is and when you need it
Masonry restoration in South Whittier means fixing an older brick or stone wall that's worn, cracked or crumbling, while keeping as much of the original as we can. It's the right call when several problems show up together. If only the joints are tired, tuckpointing may be all you need.
The price moves with how much mortar has to come out, how many bricks need replacing, how high the work sits and whether a crack needs a structural fix first. The schedule turns on those same things and on whether your address needs a permit. I'll give you your own number when I come out.
Worn joints refilled
Crumbling mortar comes out of the joints, and fresh mortar gets packed back in.
Damaged brick replaced
Broken or flaking bricks come out one at a time, and matching ones go back in.
Structure before looks
We find out why a wall cracked and fix anything structural before the cosmetic work.
Gentle cleaning first
Stained brick is best cleaned the gentlest way that works, often plain water at low pressure.
Is restoration the right job for your wall?
Some of our work repairs what you already have and some builds something new, so start with whether your wall needs fixing or replacing.
- Foundation repairThis pageA good fit when you see cracks or settling where your house meets the ground.
- Chimney repairThis pageChoose this when your chimney leaks, leans or is losing mortar up top.
- TuckpointingThis pageRight for a wall where the brick is sound and only the joints are worn.
- Brick repairThis pageFor a handful of cracked, loose or flaking bricks in an otherwise solid wall.
- Driveway paversThis pageWhen you want a new driveway laid in pavers instead of poured concrete.
- Retaining wall constructionThis pagePick this when a slope in your yard needs a wall to hold it back.
- Masonry restorationThis pageBest when an older wall has worn joints, cracks and damaged brick all at once.
- Fireplace installationThis pageA good fit when you want a new masonry fireplace built for your home.
- Stone veneer installationThis pageChoose this to put a thin layer of stone over a wall or foundation.
- Concrete block wallsThis pageWhen you need a solid new property or garden wall built from block.
- Foundation block wall installationThis pageFor new block foundation walls under an addition, a garage or another structure.
- Outdoor kitchen masonryThis pageRight when you want a built-in grill or counter in brick, block or stone.
- Walkway constructionThis pagePick this for a new path from the street, driveway or patio to your door.
- Brick wall installationThis pageWhen you want a new brick wall, from a low garden wall to a full fence line.
- Stone masonryThis pageA good fit for stonework built from scratch, such as steps, columns or wall caps.
- Brick pointingThis pageFor refilling worn joints on brick steps, planters and other smaller brick features.
Brick and stone restoration ideas
Press a photo to see it larger, and ask us about any look you like.
Why South Whittier homeowners call K&L
I look at every job myself
I come out to see your wall before anyone prices it, and I work alongside my crew, so you know who's on your property.
Raised on masonry crews
I spent school summers mixing mortar and hauling block before I laid my first course, then started this business here in South Whittier.
Licensed and insured for this work
We're fully licensed and insured for the brick, block and stone repair we do on homes around South Whittier.
How a restoration job runs
You'll know who's on your property and what they're doing, from my first look to the final walk-through.
Call or send a request
Call (562) 358-3030 or use the form, and send photos of the cracks or worn joints if you have them.
I come out and look
I check the wall, work out the cause and ask your address so we know which permit office covers it.
Your estimate
You get a price that says what the wall needs now and what can safely wait.
Test spot, then the work
We try a small test spot out of sight, so you see the result before the whole wall.
Final walk-through
I walk the finished job with you, and we clean up before we leave.
Masonry restoration questions, answered
Read through the answers below, and if your wall raises a question they don't cover, call us or send it through the form.
Got a different question?
Call (562) 358-3030 or send us the form, and tell us what you want to know about your wall.
What is repointing, and is it the same as tuckpointing?
Repointing is cutting worn, crumbling mortar out of a wall's joints and replacing it with fresh mortar. It's also called pointing, and a lot of people call it tuckpointing, though that name isn't quite accurate. On most restoration jobs it's the biggest part of the work, so I look hard at your joints when I come out.
Is a harder mortar a stronger repair for old brick?
No, not on older brick. Mortar heavy in portland cement lets less moisture through than the brick around it, so a harder mix can wear the brick out faster. New mortar should match your old mortar's color, hardness and how easily moisture passes through it, and that's what I look at before we pick a mix.
Will grinding out old mortar damage soft brick?
It can. Power saws and grinders are the common tools, and in unskilled hands they can be disastrous for soft brick, while hand chisels take more labor but usually carry the least risk to old masonry. Either way, the mason's skill matters, which is why I'm on the wall with my crew.
How much does brick and stone repair cost in the Los Angeles area?
Brick and stone repair in the Los Angeles area usually costs about $800 to $4,600 per job. That's the market's usual range, not a set price, and where your wall lands depends on what it needs. I'll give you your own number when I come out to look at it.
Do I need a permit for masonry restoration in South Whittier?
That depends on the work and on which office covers your address. For homes in unincorporated LA County, LA County Public Works issues permits through its South Whittier office in Norwalk, and another office may cover addresses outside its reach. We check before we start and take care of any permit needed as the licensed contractor.
Tell us about your brick or stone wall
Send your address and photos of the cracks or worn joints, and we'll reply within one business day to set up a free, on-site estimate with no obligation.
Whittier, CA 90604