Last spring I listed a house off Brushy Creek in Cedar Park where the seller had spent a Saturday “fixing” the front walkway himself. He’d…
Understanding Concrete Block (CMU) Construction
My name’s Tom Halloran, and I’ve spent close to twenty years laying stone and block around Austin, Texas. I build mostly in limestone down here,…
Masonry Foundation Repair on Texas Expansive Clay
The first crack a homeowner in Buda showed me ran diagonally up from the corner of a garage door, stair-stepping through the mortar joints like…
How Weather Affects a Masonry Pour
A mason buddy of mine near Round Rock, Texas called me one January morning sounding rattled. He’d poured a footing the afternoon before, and overnight…
Efflorescence on Brick and Block: Causes and Fixes
A young couple in Fair Haven bought their first house — a solid old brick place a few blocks off the Quinnipiac — and called…
Driveway Aprons and Curbing: A Masonry Primer
My name is Dale Kessler, and I’ve spent the better part of 22 years pouring concrete and doing masonry repair around Williamson County, working mostly…
Concrete Steps and Stoops: Repair or Replace?
A woman in Great Kills called me last winter because her front stoop was crumbling, and she’d already gotten two wildly different answers from two…
Why Chimney Crowns Fail in Cold Climates
Last winter I got called up to a house off Todt Hill Road because the owner swore his roof was leaking. Water stains right on…
Should You Reline or Rebuild an Old Chimney?
The scariest thing I’ve ever pulled out of a chimney was a chunk of clay flue tile the size of my hand, sitting in the…
Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits: A Masonry Guide
A homeowner near Old Settlers Park in Round Rock called me out to look at a two-year-old outdoor fireplace behind the house. Beautiful stack, easily…