Masonry contractor in Alameda, CA - brick and mortar work that suits older homes
Liberty San Leandro Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor that repairs chimneys, foundations, steps and garden walls on Alameda's older houses, and builds new brick, block and stone work that fits the street.
Masonry work for Alameda's older houses
We're a masonry contractor based in San Leandro, CA, and Alameda is a short trip across the water for our crew. We work all over the East Bay, from Oakland down to Union City. In Alameda the calls lean toward older houses set close together, with brick chimneys, brick foundations and front steps that have been patched more than once.
That age shapes the job. Old brick is softer than new, and a lot of the cracked faces we see come from hard modern mortar someone used on a past repair, so I check for that and for where water is getting in before I price anything. The ground here is flat and low near the bay, so we plan drainage into walls, walks and pavers here from the start.
Masonry work we do in Alameda
Foundation repair
On older Alameda houses the foundation is often the oldest masonry on the lot, so we find what's moving it before we fix the cracks.
Chimney repair
Brick chimneys on older homes here take the weather on every side. We repair loose tops and failed joints so water stops running down into the house.
Tuckpointing
When old mortar has worn back from the brick, we rake it out and refill it with a mix that suits the brick, not whatever was on the truck.
Brick repair
Broken or flaking bricks on steps, porches and walls get cut out and replaced with brick that matches in size and color as closely as we can find.
Driveway pavers
Driveways here are often narrow and flat, so we grade the base for runoff first, because pavers on a base that holds water settle into dips.
Retaining wall construction
Low retaining walls in tight backyards need drainage behind them. We build that in, rather than leaving water to slowly push the wall over.
Masonry restoration
For older brick houses, porches and chimneys, we clean, repair and repoint in a way that keeps the original look instead of covering it up.
Fireplace installation
We build masonry fireplaces and rework old ones. On older homes we check the chimney above first, since a new fireplace won't help a chimney that's falling apart.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer, thin stone set over an existing wall, goes on over a moisture barrier, because water trapped behind it is what pulls veneer loose.
Concrete block walls
Block walls for side yards and property lines, set on a proper footing and filled where the wall needs the strength, so they stay straight.
Foundation block wall installation
When an old foundation is past repair, we build new block foundation walls in sections, so the house stays supported while the work goes on.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Built-in grills, counters and bars in brick, block or stone, laid out for how you actually cook and sized to fit a city backyard.
Walkway construction
Front walks and side paths in brick, stone or concrete, laid on a packed base with a slight slope so rain runs off instead of pooling.
Brick wall installation
New brick garden and front walls laid to match the older brick on your street, so they look like they've always belonged there.
Stone masonry
Stone steps, walls and planters set by hand, each stone picked for its spot. It's slower than block, and it holds up for a long time.
Brick pointing
Spot repairs to failed mortar on steps and chimneys, including the gray smears someone once called a fix, which hold about as well as they look.
What masonry warning signs should Alameda homeowners watch for?
A lot of houses in Alameda have been standing a long time, and old brick and mortar give small warnings before water gets in and the repair gets bigger.
- Mortar crumbling out of joints
- Cracks stepping up a brick wall
- White powder on the brick
- Loose or missing chimney bricks
- Retaining wall leaning out
- Pavers or steps sinking
If you spot one of these, call or send the form. I'll come take a look and tell you whether it needs work now or can wait.
Should you repair your masonry or replace it?
How much of the brick is still sound decides it, and it moves the price more than anything. A rebuild that changes how your house looks also needs a city permit and design review, which adds to the schedule.
When a repair is enough
If the cracks are few and the brick around them is still hard, we cut out the bad joints and broken pieces and replace them with brick and mortar that match. I'd rather tell you that than sell you a rebuild you don't need.
When it's time to rebuild
When brick crumbles at a touch, a wall leans, or water has been running through it for years, patching just buys time. We take it down to sound material and rebuild, and the written estimate shows what each part of that covers.
What Alameda's older houses ask of masonry
I come out to look at your job myself, and I'm on site with our crew while the work gets done. Satisfaction guaranteed on every job.
Mortar matched to old brick
A lot of Alameda buildings are on the Historic Building Study List, so we match mortar to old brick, not to modern mix.
Water traced first
I find where the water is getting in before touching the joints, because new mortar over a leak fails just like the old did.
Permits before we start
If your job needs one, we get it through the city's Permit Center and don't start until it's issued.
Licensed and insured
The state licensing board requires a license once a job needs a permit or reaches $1,000, and Alameda requires a city business license too.
Straight about what can wait
If a crack can wait, I'll say so, and the estimate shows in writing what each part of the job covers.
Call about your Alameda masonry job
We pick up seven days a week, from early morning into the evening, so call (510) 264-7154 when it suits you.
Don't see your city? Call us
If your city isn't listed, call (510) 264-7154, because we work in plenty of places between the ones on this site.