Masonry restoration in La Mesa CA - worn joints redone, sound ones left alone
The right mortar, matched to what's there
When mortar starts crumbling out of the brick on your La Mesa home, it's time for masonry restoration. At DM La Mesa Concrete & Masonry, we rake out the joints that are failing, pack in fresh mortar that matches the wall and leave the sound original joints alone.
Why masonry restoration starts with the joints
Restoration mostly means repointing, the slow job of replacing worn mortar joint by joint so it can keep protecting the brick. Planning fireplace installation or stone veneer installation too? I can look at the old brick on the same visit.
Price turns on how many joints are failing, because repointing is hand work, and on whether the wall needs washing. The wall's size and any permit set the schedule, and I put the scope in writing at the estimate.
Best for
- Crumbling or cracked joints
- Older brick houses
- Brick yard walls and planters
Water stays out
Full, tight joints shed rain and sprinkler water instead of letting it soak in behind the brick, where it loosens more mortar every year.
Original joints kept
We only cut out the joints that are failing, so the sound original mortar stays in place and the wall keeps its character.
A repair that blends in
We match the color, texture and shape of the old joints, so the new work looks right next to what was already there.
Gentle cleaning first
When the wall needs washing, we start gentle and only raise the pressure if we have to, because a hard spray can scour brick and joints.
Masonry restoration that holds up next to old brick
- I come out to look at your wall myself and write the estimate, then our own masons do the work and I check it as it goes.
- We've run this business in La Mesa since 2017, and before that I laid block and brick on big commercial jobs where work went in the right order.
- We're licensed and insured, and the city recommends hiring only a state-licensed contractor, which you can check with the state licensing board.
Choices for your restoration job
I'll show you which joints are failing and talk through the choices on site, so you decide based on your brick and how much of the wall really needs work.
Spot repointing
Suits a wall that's failing in patches, like under a downspout or along the top row of brick, while the rest holds up.
Full repointing
Makes sense when most joints across the wall are worn or cracked, so the whole face weathers evenly from here on.
Softer mortar mix
Suits older or softer brick, since the new mortar should stay softer than the brick it sits between.
Cleaning and repointing
Suits a stained or dirty wall, where we wash it gently first so the new mortar can be matched to clean brick.
Tell us about your brick wall
Send photos of the worn joints and the year your house was built. We reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate with no obligation.
Questions about restoring brick
How do I know if the mortar in my brick wall needs repointing?
Your joints need repointing when the mortar has worn back more than 1/4 inch, crumbles, has holes or hairline cracks, or has cracked away from the brick. Check for those signs before you call. They're also how you judge whether a contractor wants to redo more joints than need it.
Why does the type of mortar matter on older brick?
Mortar that's harder and tighter than the brick can ruin it, because moisture gets trapped and can't dry out through the joints. In one preservation example, hard cement mortar badly damaged a soft brick wall. Mortar is meant to wear first and protect the brick, so if yours is soft, ask for a mortar that lets moisture out.
How much does masonry restoration cost around San Diego?
Brick and masonry work in the San Diego area usually costs about $11 to $33 per square foot, and that range covers masonry work broadly, not just repointing. On a repointing job, your price mostly follows how many joints are failing. I'll measure the wall and put the scope in writing at the estimate.
Do I need a permit to repoint brick in La Mesa?
Ask the city first, because La Mesa's Building Division says many repairs need a permit and its list doesn't name repointing. You can call the Building Division at 619.667.1176. Some addresses with a city name sit in county areas, so we check which office covers yours, and if a permit's needed we handle the paperwork and inspection calls with you.
What should I check before restoring brick on an older La Mesa home?
Check whether your house is on La Mesa's historic Inventory, because those homes can only be altered through the city's Historic Preservation Ordinance procedures. The city also says anyone working on a home built before 1978 must be EPA Lead-Safe Certified. If your house is that old, ask any contractor about that certification before work starts.
How long does repointed mortar last on a brick house?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the brick itself may well go past 100, so the joints are the part you plan to renew. Doing it once, with the right mortar and only the failing joints, helps the brick last between rounds. Our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Other masonry work we do
Fireplace installation
Worth planning together when the brick around a new fireplace has tired joints you want redone first.
Explore Fireplace installationStone veneer installation
A good fit when a sound wall needs a new face once any failing mortar behind it is fixed.
Explore Stone veneer installation