Masonry Contractor in Lynwood, CA - Repairs That Start With the Cause
Blockworks Long Beach Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor working in Lynwood, CA. We repair worn brick joints, chimneys and cracked walls, and build block walls, pavers and walkways from our base in Long Beach.
Masonry work around Lynwood homes
We're a masonry contractor based in Long Beach, CA, and the calls we get from Lynwood look a lot like the ones from Bellflower and Paramount. Most of the homes we see there are single-family houses on close-set lots, with block walls on the property lines, brick planters and steps out front, and a chimney as old as the house. A good share of that masonry has been patched before, sometimes more than once, and part of my job is working out which patch made things worse.
Price mostly follows how much there is to tear out and build, the schedule mostly follows whether the city needs a permit first, and your own number comes once I've seen the job. On lots this close, the work usually turns on what's under the old masonry, like a footing too small for the wall or a wall you share with the neighbor.
What we do for Lynwood homes
Foundation repair
Cracks in an older foundation usually have a reason, often water pooling along the house. We find that first, so a patch isn't hiding the next crack.
Chimney repair
Many Lynwood houses still have a brick chimney nobody's looked at in years. We start at the crown, the concrete cap on top, where water usually gets in.
Tuckpointing
Sandy mortar on an older brick wall or planter gets ground out and refilled, with a mix softer than the brick so the joint wears first.
Brick repair
Flaking brick on front steps and planters usually means water's getting in. We replace the bad bricks and fix where the water comes from.
Driveway pavers
Short driveways on tight lots get parked on every day, so we spend our time on the packed base under the pavers, since that's what keeps them flat.
Retaining wall construction
For raised beds and yard grade changes, we put gravel and a drain behind the wall, because trapped water is what usually pushes one over.
Masonry restoration
Older porches and garden walls patched a dozen ways over the years can be brought back. We take out the bad patches before adding anything new.
Fireplace installation
A new fireplace, inside or out back, starts with what the city needs and where the flue can run. Then we build the firebox and surround.
Stone veneer installation
Thin stone veneer is a common way to dress up a plain stucco front or block wall. What matters most is the water barrier and drainage behind it.
Concrete block walls
Block walls line plenty of Lynwood backyards and side yards. We build new ones on a footing with steel and grout inside, and rebuild leaning ones.
Foundation block wall installation
For a new garage or addition, the block foundation wall carries everything above it, so we check the soil and footing before laying the first row.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Grill islands and counters in block, brick or stone fit even a modest backyard. We plan the gas, power and drainage runs before the block goes up.
Walkway construction
Lifted front walks and muddy side-yard paths are common calls. We rebuild them in brick, pavers or stone, sloped so water runs away from the house.
Brick wall installation
A new front-yard brick wall should suit the house, so we pick the brick and joint color to match it, with mortar chosen for that brick.
Stone masonry
A stone planter or low wall does a lot for a small front yard. We lay out every piece on the ground first so the joints fit tight.
Brick pointing
If only a few joints have worn shallow, pointing fills and reshapes them without a full grind-out. I'll tell you which your wall actually needs.
Ask about your masonry job
Call (562) 257-3026 or send a few lines about the job, and I'll come out and look before saying what it needs.
Why Lynwood homeowners call us
When you call us about a Lynwood job, I come out to look at it myself. We find out why something failed before fixing it, because a patch over the cause usually fails again.
Licensed in California, fully insured
We're licensed and fully insured, so you're not taking on the risk of an uninsured crew on your property.
In Long Beach since 2023
I started Blockworks in Long Beach in 2023, after spending every school summer on masonry crews.
Planned around close neighbors
We plan how material gets down narrow side yards, so block and mixers stay on your side of the fence.
Cleaned up each day
We clean up at the end of each work day and keep the driveway as clear as the job allows.
Backed by our satisfaction guarantee
I work alongside the crew on your job, so questions go straight to me, starting with a call to (562) 257-3026.
Questions from Lynwood homeowners
Who issues building permits in Lynwood, CA?
The City of Lynwood's Building and Safety Division issues building permits, reviews plans for building, altering, repairing or tearing down any structure in the city, and inspects the work. Its permit list names things like water heaters, re-roofs and electrical rather than masonry, so we check with the division for your job before work starts and pull the permit when one's needed.
Does a masonry contractor in Lynwood need a California license?
Yes, whenever the job needs a building permit, uses employees, or comes to $1,000 or more in labor and materials combined, because the state contractor board requires a current license in each of those cases. The exception is narrow and covers only jobs under $1,000 with no permit, no employees and no claim to be licensed. We're licensed and fully insured.
How do I know if my Lynwood project needs a grading permit?
An undated city submittal document says a separate grading permit is required once 25 yards or more of soil is disturbed, which can happen with a large retaining wall or new foundation work. The same document says work in the city right of way, the public land along the street, needs its own encroachment permit. Because that document isn't dated, we confirm both with the city before we dig.
How can I check earthquake hazard zones for my Lynwood address?
Type your address into EQ Zapp, the state geological survey's map tool, to see whether your property lies in any of its mapped earthquake hazard zones. It's worth a look before foundation repair or a new block or retaining wall, and if it flags something, mention it when I come out.
How much does masonry work cost in Lynwood, CA?
The price depends on the size of the job, the material and what's causing the damage, so there's no honest number until I've seen it. Tearing out and hauling away an old wall, carrying block or pavers down a narrow side yard, and any permit the city requires all add to it, while repairing sound masonry instead of replacing it usually costs less. You get a figure for your own job at the estimate.
What causes cracks in block walls and brick around Lynwood homes?
Most cracks come from water, a footing too small for the wall, or hard cement patched onto softer brick. A stair-step crack along the joints usually points to movement underneath, while flaking brick usually points to water getting in. I'd want to look before guessing, because each one gets a different fix.
Don't see your city? Call us
Pick your city below to see its page, or call (562) 257-3026 if yours isn't listed, since we work across the cities around Long Beach.
Ask us about your Lynwood masonry job
We're open until 11 PM on weekdays and 10 PM on weekends, so call (562) 257-3026 after work or use the form.