Brick repair in Hayward CA - mortar that suits your brick and keeps water out
Mortar crumbling out of the joints or cracking along the edge of the brick? We repoint it with mortar that suits your wall and keeps water out.
When does brick need repair, and what does the job involve?
Brick repair in Hayward, CA usually comes down to repointing, where we cut the worn mortar out of the joints and pack in new mortar so water stops getting into the wall. Done with the right mortar, it's one of the most lasting ways to keep water out of brickwork.
Most calls start with something you've noticed, like sandy grit at the foot of a wall, a joint you can push a key into, or a crack running along the edge of a brick. We're based in Hayward and work across the cities around it on both sides of the bay, and a lot of what we see is older brick that's been patched over the years with whatever mortar was on hand. The price moves with how many joints need cutting out, how deep the wear goes, how high the work sits and how easy it is to reach, and the schedule turns on those same things plus any permit steps the city or county asks for. You get the figure for your own wall at the estimate.
What happens when you call us about brick repair in Hayward?
Call or send the form
Call (510) 264-7015 or use the form, and we'll set up a time to come look at the brick. Tell us whether it's a wall, a chimney or both, so I know what to bring.
I look the brick over
I come out myself, ask what you've noticed and look at the wall or chimney up close. You get a price for your job and a plain list of what it covers before anything is booked.
We sort out permits and prep
We check with the city or county office that covers your address, which in Hayward is the city's Building Division at (510) 583-4140, and when a permit is required we handle the paperwork and the inspections. Before the first joint comes out, we cover the plantings and paving below the wall, the same way a cook preps the station before the rush.
Do the work and walk it
In Hayward, construction is allowed Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so our crew works inside those hours. When we're done, we walk the finished joints with you.
How we do brick repair, and the work that often goes with it
I start by walking the walls and chimney with you and pointing out every worn joint and crack I find, so you see what I see before you see a number. On an older house I tell you which mortar I plan to use and why before any work starts, because the right mix depends on the brick that's already there. Then our crew cuts the old mortar out of the joints, packs the new mortar in, shapes the joints to match the rest of the wall and cleans the face of the brick. Before we call it done, I go along the wall and check our work, the way you taste a plate before it leaves the kitchen. Your satisfaction, guaranteed.
Brick rarely stands on its own in a yard. If the wall you're worried about is holding back a slope, it may need more than new mortar, and that's where our retaining wall construction comes in. When the drive in front of a brick house has heaved or cracked, we also lay driveway pavers in colors that sit well next to the brick.
Get a brick repair estimate for your wall or chimney
Send the form and we'll reply within one business day to set up a visit. I come out myself, look over the brick with you and give you a free estimate on site, with no obligation to go ahead.
Brick and mortar questions from Hayward
How do I know if my brick needs repointing?
Your brick is due for repointing when the mortar has worn back more than 1/4 inch, crumbles when you rub it, has holes in it, shows hairline cracks or has pulled away from the edge of the brick. Those are the signs the brick trade goes by, and you can walk your walls and chimney with that list yourself. If you're seeing a few of them, it's worth having us take a closer look.
What is the best mortar for repointing an older brick home?
On an older brick home, the repair mortar should be equal to or weaker than the mortar already in the wall, which usually means a softer mix than new construction uses. Before the early 1900s, mortar was mostly lime, and a harder modern mix stresses that old brick until the faces start to flake off, which masons call spalling. Ask any mason which mortar they plan to use before you hire them.
How long does repointing last?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, so repointing is a long-term fix and not something you redo every few years. That's why it pays to get the mortar right the first time, and you'll see what we plan for your wall at the estimate.
How much does brick repair cost in Hayward?
There's no set price, because brick repair is priced by the wall in front of us, and the biggest jumps usually come from height and reach. One cost guide notes that exterior walls or chimneys taller than 8 feet need scaffolding, so a two-story wall or a chimney takes more setup than a low garden wall. You get our price for your job at the estimate.
Who can do brick repair in California?
In California, someone without a contractor's license can only take on minor work under $1,000, and only when the work needs no permit and they have no one working for them on it. Anything beyond that calls for a licensed contractor, and we're fully licensed and insured. It's also fair to ask any mason for examples of repointing they've finished, since a good bricklayer isn't always good at repointing.
Is an old brick chimney dangerous in an earthquake in Hayward?
An unreinforced brick chimney can be, because federal earthquake guidance warns these chimneys can fall outward onto people passing by or inward onto the people inside, and strengthening them lowers that risk. The City of Hayward points to its nearness to the Hayward fault as a reason to act on seismic safety, so when I look at a brick chimney here, its condition and the earthquake risk go into the same conversation. If strengthening it calls for a design from an engineer, I tell you at the estimate and we build from that design.
Other work around your brick
Retaining wall construction
When a yard wall leans under the weight of the hill behind it, a new retaining wall built with drainage in mind is usually the better fix.
Driveway pavers
A cracked or sunken driveway can spoil the look of a repointed house front, and pavers in a color that sits well with your brick tie the two together.
Book a look at your brick joints
Call (510) 264-7015, email office@haywardconcreteandmasonry.com or send the form, and have a few photos of the worn joints, the height of the wall or chimney and the age of your house ready, so I come out with the right questions.