Masonry Contractor in Bellflower, CA - Walls, Chimneys and Brick Fixed at the Cause
Blockworks Long Beach Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Long Beach, and we work in Bellflower on block walls, brick repair, chimneys, tuckpointing and new walls, walkways and pavers for homes across the city.
Our masonry work on Bellflower homes
Bellflower is mostly houses, block after block of single-family homes on flat lots, with shops and offices along the bigger streets. Our calls here sound a lot like the ones we get in Downey and Gardena: a block wall between yards that's started to lean, a brick planter coming apart, a chimney that's seen better days. Most of these houses have some age on them, so we're often working on masonry someone else built a long time ago.
That age is why I like to look before I say what to do. Older mortar is usually softer than what comes out of a bag today, so the wrong patch can crack the brick around it, and on flat ground water sits against a wall until the drain behind it carries it away.
What we do for Bellflower homes
Foundation repair
When a crack runs up through stucco or a door starts sticking, I want to find what moved first, since older houses here usually settled for a reason.
Chimney repair
Older brick chimneys here usually fail at the top first, with loose bricks and a cracked concrete cap, so that's where we start.
Tuckpointing
We grind out worn mortar joints on older brick and pack in fresh mortar matched to the old, because mortar that's too hard can crack the brick.
Brick repair
A cracked or crumbling brick in a planter, a step or a front wall can usually be cut out and replaced with one close in color and size.
Driveway pavers
Many driveways here are tired concrete slabs. Pavers over a packed gravel base give you a new surface, and single pavers lift out if a section settles.
Retaining wall construction
Lots here are mostly flat, so a retaining wall usually holds soil for a raised bed, with a drain behind it so water doesn't push it over.
Masonry restoration
For older brick and block on houses here, we clean, repair and repoint what's sound and replace only what isn't, so the house keeps its original look.
Fireplace installation
Adding a fireplace or rebuilding an old one starts with the chimney above it, so I check what your house already has before we plan anything.
Stone veneer installation
On stucco houses here, a thin stone facing over the wall can dress up an entry, a column or a planter without building in solid stone.
Concrete block walls
Block walls line many back yards in Bellflower, and when one leans or cracks, I check the footing under it before we talk about a fix.
Foundation block wall installation
When a house here gets an added room, we lay the block foundation walls on a proper footing, with steel and grout where the plans call for them.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Flat Bellflower backyards make a good spot for a block counter around a grill, and we leave room for gas and water lines before the first block.
Walkway construction
Paths to side gates and back patios are common asks here, and we set brick, stone or pavers on a packed base so they don't sink.
Brick wall installation
A new brick wall or planter should match the brick already on the house, so we look for a close color and set it on a proper footing.
Stone masonry
Natural stone suits a garden wall, steps or a fire pit in a flat Bellflower yard, and every piece is fitted by hand.
Brick pointing
When joints are only a little worn, pointing fills and reshapes the face of the mortar to keep water out, a lighter job than full tuckpointing.
Ask about your Bellflower masonry job
Call (562) 257-3026 or send the form, and I'll come out to look at the job before we talk about price.
Why Bellflower homeowners call us
You get a crew that works out why something failed before fixing it, with me on site beside them the whole way.
I look before I quote
I come out myself, since a crack or a wet wall usually has a cause you only find in person.
Fixes aimed at the cause
We'd rather spend an extra hour finding why a wall failed than cover it up and see it crack again.
Mortar and drains chosen on purpose
The mortar and the drain behind a wall decide how long masonry lasts, so we choose both for your job.
Licensed and insured on your property
We're licensed and fully insured, so the work at your house is covered from the first block to the cleanup.
A guarantee and an easy start
Our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee, and starting takes a call to (562) 257-3026 or a note through the form.
Bellflower masonry questions
How much does masonry repair cost in Bellflower, CA?
There's no single price, because the cost follows the size of the job, the material and what caused the damage, and I'd want to look before giving you a number. A long or tall wall, old brick that has to be matched, an old wall that has to come down first, or a backyard we can only reach through a narrow side yard all add to it. The schedule mostly turns on whether the city wants a permit and how soon the right brick or stone comes in, and the estimate is where your own number comes from.
Do I need a permit for a block wall or other masonry work in Bellflower?
It can, and the City of Bellflower is the one that decides, so we check with the city before any work starts and pull the permit when your job needs one. I'd rather ask first than find out halfway up a wall. If you're unsure, bring it up at the estimate and we'll sort it out before the crew shows up.
Who licenses masonry contractors in California?
The Contractors State License Board licenses and regulates the construction industry in California, and that includes masonry contractors. We're licensed and fully insured, and it's fair to ask any contractor about their license before you sign anything.
How large a down payment can a contractor ask for on a home project in California?
Under the board's rules, a down payment can be no more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the total contract price, whichever is less. After that, any other payments are listed clearly in the contract and based on work already done or materials already delivered to your house. The board says this applies to all home improvement projects, added homes on a lot included.
How do I check if my Bellflower address is in an earthquake hazard zone?
Type your address into the state's EQ Zapp tool, which shows whether the property sits in a mapped earthquake hazard zone and tells you when the California Geological Survey hasn't evaluated that area yet. The state exempts single-family frame houses up to two stories, outside a development of four or more units, from its site-study requirements in those zones, though the city can be stricter than the state. It takes a minute, and it's useful to know before planning a new wall or a chimney rebuild.
How do I check a contractor's business license in Bellflower?
Call the city's Business License Division at (562) 804-1424, the line that handles business license questions, including about a contractor's city license. The city requires a Business Tax Certificate, and licenses renew every year on their anniversary date, so it's worth asking whether one is current.
Not in Bellflower? Give us a call
Pick another city from the list, or call (562) 257-3026 if yours isn't there, because the cities with their own page aren't the only ones we work in.
Ask Blockworks for an estimate in Bellflower
We pick up seven days a week, early mornings and evenings included, so call (562) 257-3026 or send the form when it suits you.