1) When is it time to repoint my brick or stone joints?
It’s time to repoint your brick joints when you see larger than a nickel size cracks in either a
vertical or horizontal joints. They also should be repointed when deterioration is sowing. This means that the joints have
recessed deeper into the brick joint.
Keep a close eye around doors, windows and other structural areas where we see a lot of cracking.
Stone joints will also follow the same path of deterioration as the brick joint. Check around where mortar
meets wood at your property. Very often the mortar separates from against the wood and cracks develop. Once cracking begins
water can now penetrate that area.
2) There are areas in the stone pointing that have to be repointed but some areas look fine,
does all the mortar need to be removed?
This question is a great question for Cawley Masonry; we pride ourselves in helping the client keep costs under control.
In most cases the mortar that is damaged has to come out only. We call this type of job spot pointing.
We go after the worst of the worst, the completely missing joint to the badly damaged joint.
3) If we chose to do the spot pointing will are you able to match the original color?
This is by far, the second asked question that we get. The good news is that Cawley Masonry has been in the pointing
matching business for a long time and we have many options to get it as close as possible. We mix sands, cements,
dyes, even grind same stone material and get the dust color onto the fresh mortar so it can blend in together.
Please remember that getting a perfect match would be almost impossible but we’ll try.
4) The roots of my tree are causing my concrete to become a tripping hazard. Does the
tree have to be cut down or do we cut the roots?
This question probably comes up the most when I’m out with a client. The first thing I like to look at is where we are positioned.
Do we have room to curve the new concrete around the roots? Can we angle the concrete up and over the roots?
Most times the answer is that only a small portion of the root would need to be removed for the proper amount of
concrete to be poured. Many people though do not want any roots to be cut and I prefer not to cut roots. I like to
curve the concrete around the tree and that usually does the trick. If the tree is already dead and will be removed,
we will come in and remove the concrete and clean around the roots for the stump removal company.
5) There are cracks and bulges in my stucco. Does the whole wall of stucco have to come down?
In most cases we can determine the size of the damage and cut out that particular section and restucco.
Most cases we can match the color and style.
6) We would like an old patio replaced. Can we use the old flagstone?
Many times we can use the original material. But many times after pulling up flagstone we find that the pieces may
look good from above but the insides are splitting and cannot be used again. All materials are different and some
seem to weather better than others. At Cawley masonry we will always try to save materials and keep costs down if
possible.
7) Water is coming in the walls of our basement, now what?
Water issues are probably the most difficult to asses. Most times if water is coming thru the walls it is a rain
water issue or surface water issue. This can normal be handled with
regrading or cleaning out of downspouts.
Other times it could be a broken pipe under ground rain water pipe that is leaking into the foundation. There are many
option and we can help you with them.
8) Water is coming up through our basement
floor and at the bottom of our basement walls, what can be done to
stop the water?
If water is coming up under the slab of your floor stopping the water flow is almost impossible but we can
control the flow and never let it get to the surface. Properly installed perimeter drains with sump pumps will
do the trick. We’ve been installing drains and keeping up with the product changes for the last ten years.
New systems installed are all guaranteed and transferable if you sell your home.
Again, thank you for visiting our site, and if you didn't see your question here,
please call or email me.
