Masonry restoration in San Rafael CA - sound joints that let your brick dry out
Mortar crumbling out of the joints, or cracks along the brick? We repoint with mortar that lets moisture out the way your brick does.
I come out myself to find why the joints failed before we touch them, because patching over the cause just brings us back. Then our crew cuts out the worn mortar and packs the joints with new mortar suited to your brick.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free on-site estimates.
- We respond within 1 business day.
Joints that hold and walls that dry
Owner on every estimate
I look at every job and write the estimate, and our own masons do the work with me on site.
Licensed and insured, every job
We're fully licensed and insured, and I'm glad to show you both before any work starts.
What does masonry restoration involve for an older brick wall?
Masonry restoration in San Rafael, CA, is mostly repointing. We cut the worn mortar out of the joints and pack in fresh mortar, and we reset or replace bricks and stones that have cracked or come loose. Mortar is meant to wear out before the brick, so renewing it now and then is what keeps the wall itself sound. The price comes down to how much wall there is, how deep the joints have worn, how many bricks need replacing and how hard the wall is to reach. The schedule turns on the size of the job, any leak that has to be fixed first and whether the city wants a permit. I'll look at the wall with you and put your number in a written estimate that shows what's included.
How can you tell your brick wall needs restoring?
Mortar sitting back from the brick
Run your eye along a joint. When the mortar has worn back so the brick edges stick out, water sits in that groove and works its way deeper.
Mortar that crumbles to sand
If you can scrape mortar out with a key, or it falls away as sand when you touch it, it has done its job and needs replacing.
Holes and hairline cracks
Look for holes in the joints, thin hairline cracks, or a crack opening up between the brick and the mortar. Each one gives water a way in behind the face.
Washed-out joints under a downspout
When the joints are worst right below a downspout, water is carving the mortar out. That leak has to be fixed first, or the new mortar washes out too.
How a masonry restoration job runs, start to finish
Getting in touch
- Call (628) 234-2038 or use the form
- Send photos of the worn joints
- Note the wall's rough square footage
- We get back to set a visit
My visit and written estimate
- I look at the job myself
- You hear what I think on the spot
- Structural cracks get a proper look first
- A written estimate shows what's included
Permits, start date and the work
- We handle permits and inspections if needed
- Home permit reviews average 2 to 6 weeks
- We set the start date with you
- Our own masons do the repointing
Final check and walk-through
- I check the work before we pack up
- We clean mortar off brick and ground
- We walk the finished wall with you
- Satisfaction guaranteed on every job
Ask for a free estimate on your wall
Tell us about the wall, add photos of the worn joints and its rough size in square feet. We reply within one business day, and the on-site estimate is free with no obligation.
Masonry restoration questions we hear
Here are straight answers to what San Rafael homeowners ask us about repointing. If yours isn't here, call (628) 234-2038 and ask me directly.
How do I know if my brick mortar needs repointing?
It's usually time once the mortar has worn back more than 1/4 inch from the brick face, or when you see any of the signs above. A slow walk around the house will show you most of it, and photos of what you find help me give you a straight answer fast.
How much does brick repointing cost in San Rafael?
A national cost guide puts brick repointing at about $400 to $2,500 per 100 square feet across the US. That's a planning range for the repointing itself, not our price. Your San Rafael number comes in the written estimate once I've seen your wall and the joints up close.
Why does the type of mortar matter for my brick walls?
It matters because mortar that lets less moisture through than your brick can trap water inside the wall. Hard cement mortar on soft brick has caused severe damage for exactly that reason. We pick a mortar that lets moisture out the way your old brick does, and you can ask any mason how theirs compares.
Do I need a permit for masonry restoration in San Rafael?
The City of San Rafael says most projects need a building permit, and its permit page lists the work that's exempt. Work done without a permit gets extra fees from the city, and paying them doesn't mean the work passes code. I check with the city for your address before we start.
How long does new mortar last after repointing?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the bricks may well last more than 100. Over the life of a wall, the mortar is the part you should expect to renew. When I see joints failing well before that, I look for the reason before we repoint.
How do I choose a mason for brick repointing in San Rafael?
Ask about their past repointing work, because a mason who's excellent at laying brick may not be skilled at repointing. California's state licensing board has a masonry class for brick, block and stone work, so ask which license a contractor holds. We've done repair work on older brick and stone since 2020.
Other masonry work we do
- Service
Brick repair
When the bricks themselves have cracked, flaked or come loose, brick repair replaces the damaged ones so the whole wall is sound before we repoint it.
Read more Brick repair - Service
Tuckpointing
If you want the new joints to look crisp and even across a whole front wall, tuckpointing adds a fine finish line over the repointed mortar.
Read more Tuckpointing - Service
Chimney repair
Chimney joints often wear out sooner than the walls below, so a restoration job is a good time to have the chimney's brick and crown looked at too.
Read more Chimney repair
Get your free masonry estimate
Request an estimate- VisitSan Rafael, CA 94901
- Call(628) 234-2038
- Emailteam@sanrafaelconcreteandmasonry.com
- HoursMon–Fri: 8 AM–9 PM, Sat–Sun: 6 AM–9 PM
Serving San Rafael and nearby cities
We're based in San Rafael and do restoration work in the cities around it, including San Anselmo and Novato. Pick your city below, or call if yours isn't listed.