Brick repair in Mission TX - mortar joints that match and keep water out
Crumbling or cracked mortar between your bricks lets water in. We repair the worn joints with a matching mortar so the wall stays sound.
What's wrong with my brick wall, and what will fixing it take?
Brick repair in Mission, TX is mostly mortar work. We rake out the joints that have worn, cracked or crumbled and pack in fresh mortar, and that's one of the most lasting ways to keep water from getting into a brick wall.
Most calls start with something small you've noticed, like sandy grit under a wall, a joint that looks hollow or a crack tracing the edge of a brick. We're based in Mission and work in McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Weslaco and many of the cities around them. The price moves with how many joints are worn and how deep, how hard the wall is to reach and whether any bricks need replacing, so a few joints near the ground cost far less than a two-story wall or a chimney. The schedule turns on the size of the job and on any city permit it needs, and when it needs one, we take care of the paperwork with the city and build that wait into the plan. You'll get your own number when I walk the wall with you at the estimate.
How we handle brick repair, joint by joint
I start by looking over the wall with you and telling you which joints can wait and which ones can't. We pick a mortar that stays softer than your brick, so over the years the joint wears down instead of the brick face. Our masons clear the failed mortar out of each joint we've marked without chipping the brick edges, pack the new mortar in firmly and shape the joints to match the width, color and profile of the rest of the wall. Any brick that's cracked through or flaking gets cut out and replaced with the closest match we can find, and we clean the brick face and the ground before we leave.
Brick trouble often starts somewhere else on the property. When a cracked slab beside the house keeps throwing water at the base of your wall, replacing it with driveway pavers can be part of the fix, and when a brick yard wall is leaning under the dirt behind it, new mortar won't hold it and retaining wall construction is the honest answer.
Why Mission homeowners call Premier Mission Concrete and Masonry for brick repair
The owner walks every job
I come out to look at every job and give the estimate myself, and then a crew lead runs the work on site with our masons while I check in along the way. You hear the plan from the person who answers for it, and you know who's on your wall.
Matching brick and mortar since 2013
I learned this trade working beside masons on a busy builder's crews and have run this business since 2013, and repairs that match what's already there are what we're known for. A good repair shouldn't leave your wall looking patched.
Licensed and insured for your job
We're licensed and insured. You shouldn't have to wonder whose risk it is when a crew is up on ladders against your house.
Historic district reviews planned early
Most projects in Mission's Historic Preservation Overlay District also need approval from the city's Historic Preservation Commission. If your home is in that district, tell us early and we'll make that review part of the plan so it doesn't stall the job.
If you can, snap a few photos of the worn joints and note roughly when your house was built, then send them through our contact page or call (956) 379-6055.
Get a brick repair estimate with every joint explained
We reply within one business day. Your estimate is free, done on site and comes with no obligation, and I'll walk the wall with you and explain each part of it. Photos of the worn joints and the age of your house help me come prepared.
Brick and mortar repair work
Questions before you book brick repair
How do I know if my brick needs repointing?
Your brick likely needs repointing when the mortar has worn back more than 1/4 inch, crumbles, has holes in it, or shows hairline cracks or gaps where it meets the brick, according to the Brick Industry Association. Cracks or wear on their own aren't always a reason to repair right away, because many walls can handle the bit of extra moisture that minor cracks let in. Send photos when you call and I'll tell you what I'd do first.
How long does new mortar last on a brick wall?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, depending on exposure and materials, while the brick itself may well go past 100 years, the Brick Industry Association says. So you can plan on repointing at some point in your wall's life even when the brick is fine. Our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
What type of mortar is best for repointing old brick?
Type O mortar is often used for repointing older brickwork, while Type N may suit newer brick, per the Brick Industry Association, so it's fair to ask your mason which type they plan. Whichever fits, it shouldn't be any harder than the mortar already in the wall, which is why we keep ours on the soft side. On historic buildings that must closely match, a lab can test a sample of the old mortar to find its mix, though that testing adds to the price.
How much does brick repair cost in Mission, TX?
There's no set price, because the cost comes down mostly to how many joints are actually worn out. Repointing is very labor-intensive, and only the defective joints need it, since original joints in good shape are better left alone, so keeping the work to the worn ones keeps the job smaller. Your estimate covers only the joints that need doing.
Do I need a permit for brick repair in Mission, TX?
Ask the city before work starts, because Mission's Inspections Division reviews building permit applications and remodeled buildings have to meet minimum codes under permits issued for the work. In Mission, work that needs a permit but starts without one faces a double permit fee, and it can bring municipal court citations or cost a contractor its city registration. When your job needs a permit, we handle the paperwork, as we said above.
What should I ask a mason before they repoint my brick?
Ask how they'll take the old mortar out, because National Park Service guidance for historic buildings warns that power tools in unskilled hands can be disastrous, especially on soft brick. The same guidance says power saws on thin joints, like those on most brick walls, almost always break brick edges. Ask me the same question at your estimate.
Other work that often goes with brick repair
- Driveway pavers
Pavers set on a packed base give you a driveway that can be lifted and relaid in sections, so a sunken spot gets fixed without breaking out the whole thing.
- Retaining wall construction
If your yard has a slope you'd like to level or a planting bed that keeps washing out, a properly drained retaining wall holds the soil in place.