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Anchorstone Reno Concrete and Masonry
(775) 447-1254Request an estimate

Masonry restoration in Reno NV - old brick and stone that keeps water out

Crumbling mortar or worn, stained brick? We clean it gently and repoint with a mortar that suits your old walls, so they stay sound.

Request an estimate(775) 447-1254
Stone walkway leads to a timber-and-stone home entrance, bordered by decorative gravel and plantings.

What does masonry restoration involve on an older Reno home?

Masonry restoration in Reno brings worn brick and stone walls back into good working order, usually by cleaning them gently, repairing damaged brick or stone and repointing, where we cut out the failing mortar between them and pack in fresh.

You've probably noticed mortar crumbling out of the joints, sand collecting on the sill below, or a damp patch that won't dry out. Those joints steer water through the wall and take the wear so the brick doesn't have to, so once they go, the brick is next in line. The price moves with how much wall needs work, how deep the old mortar has failed, how many bricks or stones need replacing and how high we have to reach. The schedule turns mostly on whether a drainage problem has to be fixed first and whether your job needs a permit. If only a few bricks are cracked, brick repair may be all you need, and the estimate is where I lay out which job you have and why.

Why Reno owners choose us for masonry restoration

You can count on someone who explains your masonry plainly and a repair that works with your old brick, with satisfaction guaranteed on every job.

  • I write your estimate

    I come out and write the estimate myself, so the person pricing your wall knows the work firsthand.

  • On site with our crew

    I'm on site with our crew while the work gets done, so your questions get answered on the spot.

  • Licensed and fully insured

    We're licensed and fully insured for the restoration work we take on at your house.

  • In business since 2023

    I started Anchorstone in 2023 after years spent laying block and brick on new houses going up.

  • Shown, not just told

    I'll point out the worn joints and water marks on your own wall, so you understand your house when we leave.

How we handle masonry restoration

The right approach depends on your wall, meaning how old it is, what it's made of and where the water's coming from, so I look at all three before suggesting anything.

  • Gentle cleaning first

    On older brick and stone we start with the gentlest cleaning that does the job and skip harsh blasting, because the harm it does to old masonry doesn't come back out. This suits any wall that's dirty or stained before we repoint it.

  • A softer mortar for older walls

    When we repoint an older house, we use a softer mortar suited to the old brick or stone, since hard mortar does lasting harm to it. Think of the mortar as the part meant to wear, like brake pads, so the brick doesn't have to.

  • Fixing the water behind the damage

    Before we repoint, we look for the leaking downspout or drain that washed the mortar out, because the same water will undo a new repair. Sometimes that fix has to come first, and I'll tell you when it does.

  • Old fireplaces and stone faces

    We restore old brick fireplace surrounds and stone walls with the same care. If yours is past saving or you want a new look, we also do fireplace installation and stone veneer installation.

What happens when you call about masonry restoration in Reno?

We plan the work around your house and your schedule, and nothing starts until you've seen what I'd do and agreed to it.

  1. You get in touch

    Call (775) 447-1254 or send the form with what you're seeing, and we'll get back to you to set up a visit.

  2. I look at it with you

    I come out myself, look over the wall with you and explain what I see, including where the water is getting in.

  3. Your estimate

    I lay out what we'd do, why we'd do it and what it costs, so you can decide without anyone pushing.

  4. Work and walk-through

    If you go ahead, we sort out any permit, protect your home and yard, do the work, then walk you through the finished wall.

Questions about a step? Call and talk it through.

(775) 447-1254

Questions about restoring old masonry

What is the best mortar for repointing an older brick home?

For an older brick home, the best mortar is usually one softer than the brick, because harder modern mortars like Portland cement can leave old bricks or stones soaking up moisture until they fail. That damage can be structural as well as cosmetic. Guidance for historic buildings suggests testing unweathered bits of the old mortar to work out a suitable mix, so ask any contractor which mortar they plan to use before you hire them.

Is sandblasting safe for old brick in Reno?

Usually not, because abrasive blasting can strip the outer face off old brick and leave it rough and pitted. In one side-by-side comparison of two brick walls, blasting also tore much of the mortar out of the joints, so a harsh cleaning can add repointing to your job. Guidance for washing historic masonry says to start at very low pressure, even a garden hose, and raise it only a little as needed.

Do I need a licensed contractor for brick repair in Nevada?

Yes, if the repair is worth $1,000 or more counting labor and materials, because the Nevada State Contractors Board exempts only repair work under that amount from licensing. If you're planning anything bigger, look for a contractor licensed in Nevada.

How much does masonry restoration cost in Reno?

There's no fair single price, because the cost comes down to your wall, and I'll give you a figure once I've seen it. One way to keep it down is to fix the wall that's letting water in now and leave sound walls for later, and I'll tell you which is which. Matching old brick and mortar color takes more care than plain new work, and that shows up in the price.

How do I know if my brick needs repointing?

Your brick needs repointing when the mortar is soft enough to scrape out with a key, has dropped back well behind the face of the brick, or is leaving sand at the base of the wall. Cracks running along the joints, loose bricks and damp patches indoors are other signs. If you're not sure, send a photo and I'll tell you what I see.

Can repointing old brick wait a year or two?

Sometimes it can, if the joints are worn but still firm and no water is getting in. Once mortar is falling out, bricks are loose or a wall stays damp, water is reaching the brick itself, and waiting usually makes the job bigger. I'll tell you plainly which side of that line your wall is on.

Masonry restoration in Reno: permits and older walls

In Reno, every building permit application goes in online through the ONE Regional Licensing and Permitting portal, and the city's Development Services Department answers questions about whether your job needs one. When your job does need a permit, we find out which office covers your address and handle the application before work starts, and if you're unsure, we'll help you ask the right office. It's worth getting right, because when work goes ahead without a required permit, the city adds compliance fees on top of the permit fees.

Older brick buildings put up without steel in the walls lean on their mortar, and earthquake damage to them can be severe because of that missing steel, poor mortar and weak ties between roof and walls. Local emergency planners map clusters of these buildings in Reno, Sparks and the rest of Washoe County. Repointing doesn't add steel or tie a roof down, so it isn't an earthquake retrofit, but sound mortar is one of the things these walls depend on. We're based in Reno and work in the cities around it, and we see the same worn joints on jobs in Sparks and Carson City.

Ask for a masonry estimate in Reno

Call (775) 447-1254 or use the form, and include photos of the wall and any nearby downspout so I know what to check.

Request an estimate(775) 447-1254