Santa Monica · Masonry Services
Brick Laying
Brick laying, veneer, and full brick repair, from new facades and columns to tuckpointing and repointing on older homes.
Brick Laying · Santa Monica
Brick Work for Santa Monica Homes
Brick masonry is the oldest part of our trade and still the one we are asked for most. We handle new brick laying and brick wall construction, brick veneer over framed or block structures, and the full range of brick repair on the older housing stock west of the 405. That covers tuckpointing and brick repointing where mortar joints have gone soft, brick repair on cracked or spalled units, brick cleaning and brick sealing, and brick staining where a homeowner wants the color evened out rather than the whole wall replaced. We build brick patios, brick fences, garden walls, brick columns, and brick porches, and we handle brick steps repair on entries that have shifted.
Why Hire Us for Brick Work
Brick is unforgiving. Joint width, mortar mix, and the bond pattern all read at a glance once the wall is up, and a mismatched repair on a 1920s facade is worse than no repair at all. Our masons match mortar by color and composition, not by grabbing the nearest bag, and we cut test joints on repointing jobs so you can approve the match before we work across the elevation. On new brick wall construction we lay to a story pole so courses stay true, and we keep the site clean as we go rather than leaving efflorescence and mortar smears to scrub off later. Multi-generational trade knowledge, on a licensed and insured crew.
Reasons to Call a Brick Mason
Mortar joints are crumbling
If you can rake a joint out with a key, water is already getting behind the face. Tuckpointing at that stage is routine. Left another few winters, it turns into rebuilding the wall.
You want a brick facade or veneer
Brick veneer changes the whole presence of a house without touching the structure behind it. It works on new construction, remodels, and stucco homes that have never suited their street.
Entry steps or a porch have shifted
Brick steps repair and brick porch rebuilds are among the most common calls we get. Settlement, root pressure, and failed footings all show up first at the entry.
The brick looks tired but is sound
Brick cleaning, brick sealing, and brick staining can reset the appearance of a wall that has no structural problem at all. It is a fraction of the cost of replacement.
How a Brick Project Runs
1. Assessment and match
We look at the existing brick and mortar, identify the bond pattern and joint profile, and source brick that matches in size and color. On repairs we mix mortar samples until the match reads right in daylight.
2. Prep and protection
Grinding out failed joints to proper depth, cutting out spalled units, shoring where needed, and masking adjacent finishes. Prep is most of the labor on any repointing job.
3. Laying and pointing
New work goes up to line and story pole. Repairs are toothed in so the patch disappears into the field. Joints are struck to match the original profile, whether that is concave, weathered, or flush.
4. Clean and seal
Acid or detergent wash appropriate to the brick, full rinse, and optional brick sealing to slow water uptake. We walk the finished work with you before the site is packed up.
Brick Services We Offer
Tuckpointing and brick repointing
Grinding out deteriorated mortar and replacing it with a matched mix. Brick pointing is the single highest-value maintenance item on any brick building, and it is what keeps water out of the wall.
Brick repair and steps repair
Replacing spalled or cracked units, rebuilding failed brick steps, resetting shifted brick porches, and crack stitching where movement has run through a wall.
Brick veneer and facade
Full brick facade work over framing or block, including returns, sills, and lintels. A brick facade is the most durable exterior finish available in this climate.
Brick walls, fences, and columns
New brick wall construction for garden walls, a brick fence along a property line, and brick columns for entries, gates, and mailbox surrounds.
Brick patio and paving
A brick patio laid on a compacted base with sand-swept or mortared joints. See our paver work for the full range of patio and driveway surfaces.
Brick cleaning, sealing, and staining
Cosmetic services for sound brick. Brick staining permanently changes color without the film or peeling of paint, and brick sealing reduces water absorption and efflorescence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cracked brick be repaired?
Yes. Brick repair methods include tuckpointing to replace deteriorated mortar joints, individual brick replacement, and crack stitching. Early brick repair prevents water damage and structural issues.
How much does tuckpointing cost?
Tuckpointing typically costs $5 to $25 per square foot. A full home exterior runs $2,000 to $8,000 depending on the extent of mortar deterioration.
How often does brick need maintenance?
Brick itself lasts 100 years or more, but mortar joints may need repointing every 25 to 30 years. An annual inspection by a brick mason can catch early deterioration before it becomes costly.
Should I paint or stain my brick?
Stain, in almost every case. Paint forms a film that traps moisture in the wall and peels within a decade. Brick staining soaks into the unit, keeps the masonry breathable, and does not need stripping later.
Plenty more of what we get asked, grouped by trade, sits on the masonry questions page.
Most projects touch more than one trade, so plenty of clients pair this with Stone Masonry, Concrete and Stucco. You can see the full picture of what our masonry company covers, or call for a free estimate and we will tell you honestly what the job needs.
Planning masonry work in Santa Monica?
Tell us about the project and we will come out for a free on-site estimate.
Or call us now: (310) 356-9429