Foundation repair
Cracks in a foundation usually mean something moved, so we check drainage and settling first, then repair the block or concrete rather than just filling the crack.
Masonry contractor in Upland, CA - older brick repaired, new walls built right
Classic Chino Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Chino that works in Upland, repairing cracked walls, worn mortar joints and tired chimneys, and building new block walls, walkways, retaining walls and outdoor kitchens.
How masonry jobs go in Upland
Upland gives us two kinds of masonry calls. On the older houses, it's brick and stone that has cracked, lost its mortar or got patched with the wrong mix years back. On the newer tracts, it's block walls along the back and side yards, pavers and the odd outdoor kitchen. We're a masonry contractor based in Chino, CA, and we do the same work in Ontario and Diamond Bar.
The price mostly comes down to the size of the wall or area, how much old masonry has to come out and how closely we have to match old brick and mortar. The schedule usually turns on whether a permit and the city's inspections are involved. The city lists a design wind of 110 mph and a design rainfall of 4 inches an hour, which matters on a tall freestanding wall and on draining the back of a retaining wall. My on-site estimate is where you get the figure for your own house. On the older homes, most of the work starts with figuring out what the original brick and mortar are, because a repair only lasts if it suits what's already in the wall.
Our own crew does the work
The people laying your block or repointing your brick are our own crew, and I check on the job as it goes, so the plan from the estimate carries through to the finished wall.
We look for why it failed
A crack or crumbling joint is usually a sign of water or movement somewhere else, so I want to know what's causing it before we patch anything, or the same crack tends to come back.
Mortar matched to old brick
Mortar harder than old brick pushes the damage into the brick itself, so we mix repair mortar to suit what's already in the wall instead of grabbing whatever bag is strongest.
Masonry services we offer in Upland
Chimney repair
Older Upland chimneys often have loose bricks and worn mortar where weather hits hardest, so we rebuild or repoint what's failing and check the crown that sheds water.
Tuckpointing
On older brick fronts we fill worn joints with mortar colored to match the brick, then run a fine contrasting line so the joints look crisp and even again.
Brick repair
Cracked, flaking or loose bricks get cut out and replaced with brick that matches the old, and we look for the water or movement that broke them.
Driveway pavers
We dig out, compact a solid base and lock the edges, because a paver driveway is only as good as what's under it once cars start turning on it.
Retaining wall construction
Where a yard steps up or down, we build block or stone retaining walls with drain rock behind them so water drains out instead of pushing on the wall.
Masonry restoration
On older brick and stone patched over the years, we remove the bad repairs, rebuild what's failing and match the original mortar so the house looks like itself again.
Fireplace installation
We build brick and stone fireplaces indoors and out, working out the firebox, the hearth and how the chimney or flue runs before the first brick goes down.
Stone veneer installation
We set thin stone over block walls, columns and house fronts with a way for water to get out, because water trapped behind it is what pops it loose.
Concrete block walls
Many yards here are lined with block, so we build new walls and replace leaning ones on a footing sized for the wall, with steel and grout inside.
Foundation block wall installation
For additions, garages and raised floors we lay block foundation walls on footings, filled with grout and steel, so the framing above starts on something straight and solid.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build the block base, counters and stone or brick facing for outdoor kitchens and bars, planning openings for the grill, gas and power before any block goes up.
Walkway construction
We build walkways in brick, pavers, stone or concrete, with a packed base and a slight slope so water runs off the path instead of sitting against your house.
Brick wall installation
We build brick garden walls, planters and front-yard walls to suit the house, picking the brick and joint style to match what's already there on older homes.
Stone masonry
We lay natural stone for walls, steps, columns and planters, fitting each piece by hand, and we reset loose stones on older work and refill the joints to match.
Brick pointing
When joints are sandy or sunken but the brick is sound, we rake out the loose mortar and repoint with a matched mix, so less water gets into the wall.
Get a free on-site estimate in Upland
After you send the form, we reply within one business day to set a time, and I come out to look at the job and write the estimate there.
Free, with no obligation
The estimate costs you nothing, and you're under no obligation to hire us after it, so it's a fair way to find out what's wrong and what fixing it involves.
Licensed and insured
We're licensed and insured, and the work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee, so ask me anything you want about how we'll do the job before you decide.
Rather talk it through?
Call (909) 479-6261 if that's easier. Our phone hours run seven days a week, from 6 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 7 AM to 9 PM on weekends.
Questions about masonry work in Upland
Here are straight answers to the permit and paperwork questions that come up before a wall or exterior masonry job starts in Upland.
Do I need a permit for a block wall or fence in Upland?
Not if it's a block wall 2 feet tall or less, or a fence 6 feet or less, because Upland's Building and Safety Division doesn't require a permit for those. For anything taller, check before you build. When a wall needs a permit, we apply for it and plan the work around the city's inspections, and if it's unclear, we check with the building office before we start.
How do I get a building permit in Upland?
Upland only takes building permit requests online, through the city's building permit page, which also links a list of projects that need no permit. The application asks for an upload of the contractor's license and business license, and a PDF or a JPEG photo is fine. When our job needs a permit, we put in the request, so that part is on us.
Does my older home in Upland need extra review for exterior masonry work?
It can, if your house is designated as a historic resource. Exterior changes that alter how one looks need a Certificate of Appropriateness, which is approval of the design from the city's Planning Division. Upland has 9 local historic districts and over 580 properties on its local register, so if your house might be one, ask the division before we change its brick, stone or chimney.
Do contractors need an Upland business license to work on my house?
Yes. Licensed contractors working in Upland are required to have a current city business license on top of their contractor's license. It's a fair question to put to any contractor you're weighing before you sign, along with how they'll handle the permit if your job needs one.
Cities we serve for masonry work
We're based in Chino and work in the cities listed here, among others. If you don't see your city, give us a call at (909) 479-6261 and ask.
Tell us about your Upland masonry job
A crack or loose joint usually costs less to fix before water works deeper into the wall, so call (909) 479-6261 or send the form.