Brick pointing in Ontario CA - fresh mortar joints that match your old brick
Mortar crumbling or pulling back from your brick? We replace only the worn joints, matched to the old ones, so the wall stays tight.
Does your brick need repointing, or can it wait?
Brick pointing, also called repointing, means we rake out the worn mortar between your bricks and pack in fresh mortar, which keeps brick walls, chimneys and house fronts in Ontario, CA tight without replacing brick that's still good.
Most people call us after they notice sandy grit at the base of a wall, gaps where the mortar has sunk back from the brick face, or a chimney that looks patchy, and if the bricks themselves are cracked or flaking, that's brick repair and I'll tell you which one you need. The price turns mostly on how many joints have actually failed, how high the wall goes and what kind of brick it is, while the schedule turns on how much wall there is and, on a historic home, whether the city wants a look first. My written estimate spells out what I'd fix, what can stay as it is and why. California's contractor license board sets a masonry contractor class for brick laid in walls and the cleaning that goes with it, so that's the license to ask about when you hire anyone for this work. We're based in Ontario and work across the cities around it, from Upland and Rancho Cucamonga to Pomona and Diamond Bar, plus plenty of others nearby.
Why Ontario homeowners call us for pointing
You can count on a straight answer about which joints need work and which can wait, and on a crew that works around your household instead of over it.
I look at every job
I come out to see every wall myself, and I'm on site with our crew while the work gets done.
Careful work since 2023
I started in 2023 after years of upkeep at rentals around here, so I could do masonry carefully instead of fast.
Licensed and insured
We're licensed and insured, which matters on brick work done off ladders and scaffolding at your house.
Good mortar stays put
Sound joints are better left alone, so we only cut out the ones that have failed and save you the labor.
A tidy site
Years of working around tenants taught me to keep the dust down, the paths clear and the yard picked up.
How we handle brick pointing
I pick the approach after looking at how many joints have failed, why they failed and how soft the brick is, because the cause decides the fix as much as the mortar does.
What happens when you call about brick pointing?
We plan pointing around your household, from when the noisy part happens to where the crew sets up, and you see what's wrong before any mortar comes out.
You get in touch
Call (909) 738-1042 or use the form, and we get back to you to set a time for me to come see the wall.
I look at the wall
I come out in person, take photos and show you which joints have failed and which are still doing their job.
Your written estimate
The estimate spells out what we'd fix and what can stay as it is, so you're only paying for joints that need it.
The work and walk-through
Once you say go, we set a schedule together, our crew does the work with me on site, and we walk the finished job with you.
Questions about a step? Call and talk it through.
(909) 738-1042Brick pointing questions from Ontario homeowners
How do I know if my brick mortar needs repointing?
A joint needs repointing when its mortar has worn back more than 1/4 inch from the brick face, crumbles, has holes, or shows hairline cracks, including cracks between the brick and the mortar. Only the bad joints need repair, so I mark which ones actually need it when I come out. Send a few photos and I'll tell you what I see.
How much does brick pointing cost in Ontario, CA?
Brick pointing has no set price, because it turns on how many joints have failed, how deep the damage goes, how high the wall is and whether soft old brick has to be worked by hand. A tall chimney or a two-story wall may also need scaffolding, which adds to the job. After I look at your wall, the written estimate gives you the figure.
What is the best way to choose mortar for repointing old brick?
The new mortar should be about as strong as the mortar already in your wall, or weaker, because mortar harder than the brick can damage the brick in ways that can't be fixed. That's national brick industry guidance, and it's fair to ask any contractor how their mix compares with what's in your wall. Ask me and I'll walk you through it.
Can a grinder damage old brick when removing mortar?
It can, especially on soft old brick. National guidance written for historic masonry says power saws and grinders can be disastrous for soft brick in unskilled hands, while hand chisels and mash hammers take more labor but in most cases pose the least threat of damage. Ask any crew which tools they'll use and how they'll handle dust, since the state's silica rule names handheld grinders fitted with a shroud and dust collection for mortar removal.
How long do mortar joints last on a brick house?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, depending on how exposed the wall is and the mortar used, while the brick itself may well last past 100 years. So on a long-lived wall, the mortar is the part you renew now and then, not the brick. Our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Does my historic home in Ontario need city review before repointing?
It may, so the safest move is to ask before we start. Ontario's historic preservation code doesn't stop ordinary repair when nothing changes in design, material or outside appearance, but what approval like-for-like repointing needs on a historic property hasn't been pinned down. That's why I'd call the city's Planning staff first, as I cover below.
Brick pointing around Ontario, CA
On a historic house, the city's own preservation guidelines change how pointing gets done. They say old mortar comes out with hand tools and power tools shall not be used, which goes a step past the national advice on soft brick, and that new mortar should match the original's strength, color, texture and style while the new joints shall match the old ones in width and profile. Planning staff, a historic preservation sub-committee and the Historic Preservation Commission review proposed exterior changes to historic buildings, so if your home is one of them, call the city's Planning staff before we set a date. For historic homes I check with the city early too, so there are no surprises once our crew is ready to go.
Most pointing calls around Ontario are for brick chimneys, garden walls and older house fronts where the mortar has worn back while the brick is still fine, and we see the same thing on jobs in Upland and Pomona. That's why I check how soft the brick is before deciding which tools touch it.
Ask Fieldstone about your brick joints
A quick look sometimes shows the mortar can wait, and I'd rather tell you that, so call (909) 738-1042 or send the form.