Masonry contractor in Spring Valley - retaining walls, block walls and brick repair
DM La Mesa Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor building retaining walls and block walls and repointing worn brick for homeowners in Spring Valley, CA. We're based in nearby La Mesa.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free on-site estimates.
- Replies within 1 business day.
Walls, slopes and worn brick in Spring Valley
Most homeowners call us about one of three things: crumbling mortar joints, a cracked or leaning wall, or a slope that needs holding back. I look for the cause before we rebuild, because a wall put back over the same poor drainage usually fails the same way. Our own masons come out from La Mesa for Spring Valley jobs, as they do for Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, La Presa and Lemon Grove.
Spring Valley isn't a city. The County of San Diego lists it as unincorporated, so the County is your local government, and its building division issues building permits here. Some addresses carry a city name on the mail but sit in county areas, so we check which office covers yours before we plan. When a permit's needed, we handle the paperwork and line up the inspection calls with you.
What moves the price is the size of the job and what's around it: how much soil a wall holds back, how far we carry block, and whether old work comes out first. The schedule turns on whether the County wants a permit, and in dry, warm weather we keep new mortar damp so it cures instead of drying out. I come out myself and put the scope in writing.
Masonry services in Spring Valley
Foundation repair
If a corner has settled or a crack splits the foundation wall, we find why before we patch.
Chimney repair
Loose upper bricks or a cracked crown, the concrete cap on top, should be fixed before water works down inside.
Tuckpointing
When mortar joints have worn back or turned to sand, we grind them out and refill them.
Brick repair
Cracked, flaking or loose bricks come out one at a time and get replaced with brick that blends in.
Driveway pavers
Pavers make sense where a cracked driveway needs replacing, since a sunken section can be lifted and reset.
Retaining wall construction
If a slope is creeping downhill or an old wall leans, we build a new wall with drainage behind it.
Masonry restoration
Older brick and stone that's stained, cracked or patched badly over the years can be cleaned, repaired and repointed together.
Fireplace installation
Adding a masonry fireplace inside or out starts with checking the footing and clearances before any brick goes up.
Stone veneer installation
Thin stone over block or stucco gives a wall a stone face, provided the backing underneath is done right.
Concrete block walls
A block wall along the property line needs a solid footing and steel inside it to stay straight.
Foundation block wall installation
When an addition or garage needs a block foundation, we lay it on a footing sized for the load.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
If you want a grill counter out back, we build it in block, brick or stone on its own slab.
Walkway construction
Where a path has heaved into a trip hazard, we build a new walk in brick, pavers or concrete.
Brick wall installation
When you want a new garden wall, we pick brick and a joint style that sit right with your house.
Stone masonry
Natural stone suits steps, planters or a low wall when you want a heavier, rougher look than block.
Brick pointing
Where only a few joints have cracked or gone missing, we fill those before water gets behind the brick.
What you can count on in Spring Valley
Our own masons, checked as they go
We don't send another crew to Spring Valley jobs, and I check the work at each stage myself.
Each step in order, and you hear about it
Drainage, footing and steel go in before the wall face goes up, and we tell you what's next as we go.
Licensed and insured, with a clean site after
Before our crew leaves, the broken block, dirt and mortar scraps get hauled off and the area swept.
Tell us about your Spring Valley job
Describe the wall, joints or slope through the form, or call (619) 648-8025. We reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate, with no obligation.
Spring Valley masonry questions
Do I need a permit for a block wall or retaining wall in Spring Valley?
Small walls can be exempt. The County's exempt work list covers fences up to six feet high and retaining walls that hold back three feet of soil or less, stand no taller than six feet and meet further conditions. We ask the building official about your wall before we plan, since that check is on both of us.
Can I apply for a building permit online in Spring Valley?
For some jobs, yes. The County's online services let owners apply for a minor residential permit or get an Instant Permit, with examples like window replacement, roof-mounted solar, water heater replacement and electrical service upgrades. For masonry, we find out what the County wants for your job and handle the paperwork when a permit's needed.
How big a down payment can a contractor ask for in Spring Valley?
For home improvement work, the Contractors State License Board says a down payment can't be more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the total contract price, whichever is less. It's a state rule, so it holds in Spring Valley too, and it's worth checking any contract against it before you sign.
Does a contractor need a County business license to work in Spring Valley?
No, the County says a business license isn't needed in its unincorporated areas, which include Spring Valley, though other rules and permit requirements can still apply. Contractor licensing is handled by the state licensing board, and we're licensed and insured.
Is my Spring Valley home in a high fire zone?
It may be. California's seasonally dry climate lends itself to wildfire, the County says many of its areas are in high fire zones, and its building division requires special features for projects in high-risk areas. The State Fire Marshal's fire hazard maps cover state responsibility areas and send you to your local jurisdiction for the rest.