Brick repair in Oxnard CA - firm joints, matched mortar and the leak found first
Crumbling mortar, cracked joints or a damp spot inside? We find where the water gets in, then repoint with mortar that suits your brick.
Does my brick need repointing, or can the mortar wait?
Brick repair in Oxnard usually comes down to repointing. We cut worn mortar out of the joints and pack in new mortar so your wall holds together and sheds rain again.
Most calls start with something you can see. It might be mortar that crumbles when you rub it, gaps along the joints, or a damp spot inside after a storm. The job itself is careful hand work. We cut the old mortar back to sound material without chipping the brick, pack the new mortar in, and shape each joint so water runs off it.
The price depends on how much of the wall needs new joints, how high it is and how hard it is to reach, and whether the mortar has to match older brick. The schedule depends on the weather and on whether another repair has to come first. Your written quote lists what's included. In California, the state licensing board gives masonry its own contractor classification, which covers laying brick and building masonry walls.
What goes into a brick repair job
Before any mortar comes out, it helps to know where the water is coming from, how the joints get cut and what new mortar alone won't fix.
Finding the leak first
A cracked joint may not be where the water gets in, so I track down the leak before we cut any mortar. That way you don't pay to repoint the wrong wall.
Cutting out old mortar
Guidance written for historic masonry says hand chisels are slow but usually the least likely to damage brick. Power saws on thin brick joints almost always break the edges.
Problems new mortar won't fix
A failed cap on top of the wall, failed flashing at the roof line, soaked brick or a structural crack needs more than new mortar, so I price that work separately. Shaking causes most earthquake damage to California homes, so a crack through the brick itself gets a closer look.
Mortar that blends in
We match the color and texture of the new joints to the old ones as closely as we can, so the repair doesn't stand out as a patch.
Brick repair questions we hear
How much does brick repointing cost in Oxnard?
Across the US, brick repointing usually costs about $400 to $2,500 per 100 square feet. Where your wall lands depends mostly on how much of it needs work and how hard it is to reach. You get your own figure from the written quote I write after I've seen the wall.
Does cracked mortar need to be repaired right away?
Not always. Many cavity and veneer walls, which have a gap or backing behind the brick, can handle the moisture that gets in through small cracks. Repair makes sense when the outside cracks line up with water getting in and other causes are ruled out. Solid brick walls are less forgiving. Write down where the cracks are and how many there are, so we can compare them with any leaks inside.
What kind of mortar should be used to repoint brick?
The new mortar should be as strong as the original or softer, never stronger. Mortar that's harder than the old joints can cause spalling, where the face of the brick breaks away. I look at the existing mortar and brick before choosing a mix, and the quote says what we'll use.
Who issues building permits in Oxnard for brick work?
Oxnard's Building and Engineering Division issues permits for building work and checks that the work meets local and state rules. Its over-the-counter list names wall and fence installations but not brick repair, so that list doesn't settle whether your job needs a permit. We check with the right office for your address and tell you what we find before work starts. If a permit is needed, we handle the paperwork and the inspections.
How long do mortar joints last on a brick house?
Mortar joints usually last more than 25 years, and the brick itself may well last more than 100, depending on weather exposure and the mortar used. So most brick homes need the joints renewed at some point while the brick is still good.
How do I know if my brick needs repointing?
The signs that call for repointing are crumbling mortar, mortar with holes in it, and joints worn back more than 1/4 inch. The tip of a key or a screwdriver shows you the depth quickly. Photos of what you find help me plan the visit.
Why Oxnard homeowners call Blockworks Oxnard Concrete and Masonry for brick repair
You get a straight answer about what your brick needs and a written quote that matches the finished work. Your satisfaction, guaranteed.
I write your quote myself
I come out and write the estimate myself, then check on the job while our lead mason runs the crew.
In business since 2013
We've run this business since 2013, so you're hiring a company with 13 years of masonry work behind it.
Fully licensed and insured
We're fully licensed and insured, and I'm glad to show you both when I come out to look at the wall.
One crew for walls and pavers
The same crew that repoints brick also builds retaining walls and lays driveway pavers, so a bigger project stays with one company.
Send photos to get started
Call (805) 342-2830 or use the form, and include photos of the cracked joints and notes on any leaks inside.
Have your worn mortar joints looked at
Call (805) 342-2830 while the joints are only worn, because catching them early usually keeps the job to new mortar instead of replacing brick.
What happens after you call about brick repair in Oxnard?
Every brick job starts with me at your house, in Oxnard or one of the cities around it, and the plan follows what your wall needs.
Call or send the form
Call (805) 342-2830 or send the form with a few details, and we'll get back to you to set a time for me to come out.
I look at the wall
I come out, look at the brick and the joints, and ask what's been going on, especially where and when water shows up inside.
A quote line by line
You get a written quote that lists, line by line, what we'd do and why, with any cap or flashing work priced on its own.
The work and a walkthrough
If you go ahead, we sort out any permit with the right office, our crew does the work, and I walk the finished job with you.