Trusted Masonry Contractor in San Jose CA - Brick Repairs That Fix the Cause
Brickworks San Jose Concrete & Masonry repairs worn mortar joints, cracked brick and tired chimneys across San Jose and nearby cities like Campbell. We also build retaining walls for sloped yards near the foothills.
Masonry contractor services in San Jose, CA
Brickworks San Jose Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor in San Jose, CA, with 16 services that run from repointing old brick to building new walls, walkways and outdoor kitchens. On a repair, the price mostly turns on how far the damage goes and how hard the spot is to reach. On new work, it turns on the size, the brick or stone you pick and what the ground needs underneath. The schedule turns on those same things, plus whether the city needs a permit first. I walk the job, measure, take photos and write up what I found and what we'd do, so you get your own figure in writing.
Cracked or shifted foundation? We find what moved it first, then repair the masonry so the fix deals with the cause.
View serviceWe repair chimneys with a cracked top, flaking brick or worn joints, to keep rain from working its way into the brick below.
View serviceWhat is tuckpointing? We rake out worn mortar, fill the joints to match the brick, then add a thin contrasting line along each joint.
View serviceFor homeowners with cracked, loose or crumbling bricks, we cut out the damaged ones and set replacements chosen to match the wall.
View serviceWe build paver driveways on a packed gravel base with solid edging, so a damaged paver can be lifted and replaced on its own.
View serviceLeveling a sloped yard? We build block or stone retaining walls with gravel and a drain behind them, sized to the slope you have.
View serviceFor older homes, we restore worn brick and stone using mortar softer than the brick, because hard mortar can damage old brick.
View serviceWe build brick and stone fireplaces, from the hearth and firebox to the surround, for homeowners adding one or replacing a worn-out fireplace.
View serviceWant the look of solid stone without its weight? We install stone veneer, a thin stone facing, over walls, columns and fireplace fronts.
View serviceWe build concrete block walls, reinforced with steel and grout through the hollow cores, for property lines, garden walls and yard dividers.
View serviceFor additions and new structures, we lay the block foundation walls the rest of the building sits on, built to the approved plans.
View serviceWe build the masonry side of an outdoor kitchen, from the block base to the brick or stone facing, for people who cook outside.
View serviceNeed a path from the driveway to the door? We build walkways on a packed, gently sloped base, topped with brick, stone or pavers.
View serviceA new brick wall starts with a solid footing, and we lay garden, screening and property walls in the brick and pattern you pick.
View serviceOur stone masonry means walls, steps and planters fitted by hand from natural stone, for homeowners who want solid stone rather than a facing.
View serviceBrick pointing replaces worn mortar with a single matching mortar, the usual fix when the joints are failing but the bricks are sound.
View service
- Licensed and fully insured.
- Free quotes on site.
- Expect a reply within 1 business day.
Rooted in San Jose and the cities around it
San Jose runs from its downtown out to the foothills, and it's a city where people use their parks. Downtown, the trails of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens carry people walking, running, riding and skating between parks and plazas, and the gated History Park keeps historic and replica buildings from the city's past, with a trolley and a working print shop on weekends.
Out in the foothills of the Diablo Range, Alum Rock Park sits in Alum Rock Canyon, with room to hike, ride horses, bike and picnic. I learned masonry from an experienced mason here in San Jose, and we work all over the city and the cities around it, from older brick homes with worn joints to sloped yards that need a retaining wall.
Why San Jose homeowners hire us
The same mason start to finish
I come out to look at the job and take the measurements myself, and I check our masons' work as it goes up. That way nothing gets lost between the person who quoted your job and the crew building it.
Estimates written wall by wall
Your estimate lists the work wall by wall and step by step, with the measurements and photos I took on site. You know what you're paying for and can compare it fairly against other bids.
Plain answers before work starts
Before work starts, I tell you what we know, what we won't know until the wall is open and what the city may ask for. I'd rather check twice and say so plainly than guess and find out later.
Read more about how we work, or tell us about your project and I'll come out to take a look.
Tell us about the masonry job you have in mind
We'll get back to you to set a time for me to walk the job, take measurements and photos, and write up what I found and what we'd do about it. There's no pressure to book.
Brick and stone work up close
Masonry questions from San Jose homeowners
Do I need a permit for masonry work in San Jose?
It depends on the job, and we check with the city before any work starts. San Jose requires a building permit for structural changes, new construction and demolition, while purely cosmetic work like paint needs none. Grading and other site work go through the city's Public Works department. When your job needs a permit, we apply for it as the licensed contractor and meet the inspector on site.
Should I repair or rebuild a cracked brick wall?
Usually it can be repaired, if the wall stands straight and the cracking comes from something fixable like worn mortar or water getting in. If it's leaning or the footing has moved, patching only covers the problem, and rebuilding is often the better answer. I can't tell which from a photo, so I come out, measure and look for the cause before I recommend either one.
Why does a retaining wall need drainage behind it?
Because water that builds up behind a retaining wall pushes on it, and that pressure is what usually tips or cracks a wall over time. We put gravel and a drain behind the wall so water has a way out, and we slope the ground so runoff heads away from it. On a hillside lot, grading can be a question for the city's Public Works department, so I'll flag that at the estimate.
Can you match mortar and brick on an older San Jose home?
Usually we can get close, and I'll tell you at the estimate how close before we start. We mix test batches of mortar to match color and texture, and we look for brick of a similar size, color and finish. New work tends to look a little bright next to old brick at first, until it weathers in.
What should I do to get my yard ready for masonry work?
Mostly make room. We need a clear path to the wall or chimney, a spot near it for materials and mixing, and plants, furniture or cars moved back from the work area. On a chimney job, we'll ask you not to light the fireplace until we're done. I'll go over the details at the estimate so you know what to expect.
How soon can a masonry job start in San Jose?
It depends on the size of the job, whether the city needs a permit first and what's already on our schedule. Wet weather can push things back too, since fresh mortar shouldn't sit in heavy rain. A city building permit expires either 12 months after it's issued or 180 days after the last approved inspection, so we keep inspections moving. Once I've walked the job, I'll tell you when we can start.
How do I take care of brick and mortar after a repair?
Keep water moving away from it. Point sprinklers away from brick walls, keep gutters and downspouts clear, and don't pressure-wash old brick, because a hard spray can wear away mortar and soft brick faces. Look the joints over every year or so, and call us if you see new cracks or crumbling mortar before they spread.
Do you do masonry work in cities near San Jose?
Yes. We're based in San Jose and work across the city and the cities around it, including Santa Clara, Campbell and Los Gatos. The cities on this site aren't the only ones we cover, so if you're nearby, call (669) 234-3391 and ask.
Cities we serve around San Jose
Brickworks San Jose Concrete & Masonry is based in San Jose, CA, and works across the city and the cities around it. Twelve cities have their own page here, including Santa Clara and Los Gatos, and we take jobs in other nearby cities too.
Talk to us about your San Jose masonry project
Call (669) 234-3391 or send the form, and we'll reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate.
