Masonry restoration in North Las Vegas NV - sound joints and a wall that can dry out
Mortar crumbling out of the joints or cracks running through an old wall? We find out why, then repair it with mortar that lets it dry.
What does masonry restoration involve for an older wall?
Masonry restoration is how R&L North Las Vegas Concrete & Masonry brings a worn or cracked brick, block or stone wall in North Las Vegas back into sound shape, by working out why it failed and then replacing the mortar, brick or stone that gave out.
Most calls start with something you can see, like sand piling up under a wall, joints you can scrape out with a key, or a crack that wasn't there last year. The right repair depends on why the wall failed, and that usually shows in where and how it's breaking down. If the face is past saving, stone veneer installation can be the better fix, and when an old fireplace is beyond repairing, a new fireplace installation may make more sense.
The price moves with how much mortar has to come out, how much brick or stone needs replacing, how hard the wall is to reach and how closely the new mortar has to match the old. The schedule turns mostly on whether a permit is needed and whether something bigger, like a settling foundation, means an engineer should look first. Your written estimate spells out the scope and price for your wall.
What goes into a good masonry restoration
An old wall has to let the water it takes in dry back out. These are the choices that decide whether a restoration helps it do that or works against it.
Mortar that lets the wall dry
Preservation guidance warns that if new mortar traps moisture instead of letting it move out and evaporate, the brick or stone itself takes the damage, not just the joints. That's why we choose mortar that's gentle on an old wall, even when there's a faster option.
Cleaning without etching
Water at too high a pressure, the kind a power washer puts out, is abrasive enough to etch soft stone and some types of brick. We use a gentler cleaning method on an old wall, even if it takes longer.
Getting the old mortar out
On historic masonry, preservation guidance says chiseling out old mortar by hand takes more labor but in most cases carries the least risk of damage and gives the best result. If your wall is an older one, ask whoever you hire, me included, how they plan to remove it.
What's under the wall
Clark County keeps soils maps of the Las Vegas valley, including one for expansive soils, that show what the ground near the surface has tended to be like. When cracks hint that something below a wall is moving, that's worth knowing before anyone repoints over them.
Questions about restoring old masonry
What is repointing, and is it the same as tuckpointing?
Yes, repointing, pointing and tuckpointing all mean removing worn mortar from a wall's joints and replacing it with new mortar. It's the heart of most masonry restoration, and we also do it as its own job under tuckpointing.
What causes stair-step cracks in a block wall, and can repointing fix them?
A crack that steps along the mortar joints is usually caused by the foundation settling under that part of the wall, and patching the joints without dealing with the settling tends to bring the crack back. Repointing works well when the cracking isn't widespread, stays mostly in the joints and isn't getting wider, so I look at how far the cracks run, where they go and whether they're growing before I quote anything. If you've spotted a stair-step pattern, point it out when I'm there, because it may mean foundation repair or an engineer comes first.
How much does masonry restoration cost in North Las Vegas?
There's no honest number until I've seen the wall, because the cost comes down to how much of it needs work and why it failed. A few worn joints on a garden wall cost far less than repointing a whole chimney or replacing damaged brick, and fixing a cause like settlement adds to the job. The estimate I write after looking at your property gives you the price.
How often does a brick or stone wall need repointing?
Brick and stone walls and chimneys usually need repointing every 20 to 30 years as ordinary upkeep. That means you can plan for it like any other maintenance instead of waiting for joints to fall out, and an older wall may already be due.
Does North Las Vegas issue permits for block wall work?
Yes, the city's Building Safety Division issues permits under the city code, and the city's permit center lists an application for retaining, block and screen walls. The division also reviews plans and inspects work against the city code. Rules differ in Henderson, Boulder City and areas Clark County runs, so we check with the right office for each job and take care of the paperwork when a permit is needed.
How do I keep my wall from getting damaged again after repointing?
Keep sprinklers and faucets from spraying a lot of water on the wall, since that constant soaking works against any repair. If I see a sprinkler hitting your wall, I'll point it out, because it's usually an easy fix you can make yourself.
Why North Las Vegas homeowners call us to restore old masonry
We're based in North Las Vegas and work across the cities around it, from Henderson and Paradise out to Summerlin South and Boulder City, and every job starts with why the wall failed.
The owner sees your wall
I come out to look at every job and write the estimate myself, and I'm on the work with our crew.
The cause gets fixed first
I'd rather tell you a repair can wait, or that you need an engineer first, than sell you work you don't need.
Started here in 2023
I spent years running a crew and writing bids for another mason before opening this business in North Las Vegas.
Licensed and fully insured
That holds on every job we take, from a few worn joints on a garden wall to a full chimney.
Your satisfaction, guaranteed
That's our promise on this work, so call (702) 269-8957 and tell me what your wall is doing.
Call about your worn or cracked wall
Have photos of the cracks handy, plus where they run and whether a sprinkler hits the wall, so we can start working out the cause on the first call.
What happens after you call about masonry restoration in North Las Vegas?
Every job is planned around what you've noticed and what your wall actually needs, because that's where the real cause usually shows up first.
You get in touch
Call (702) 269-8957 or send a message through the form, and tell us a little about the wall and what's changed.
I look at the wall
I come out myself, ask what you've noticed and when it started, and work out what's behind the damage.
Scope and price in writing
You get the scope and price in writing, and I check with the right office about whether your job needs a permit.
The work and walk-through
Our crew does the work while I keep an eye on it, and when we finish, I walk the job with you before we call it done.