Masonry contractor in Paramount, CA - repairs that start with the cause
Blockworks Long Beach Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Long Beach that builds and repairs block walls, brick, chimneys, pavers and foundations in Paramount. I come out to look at each job myself.
Masonry work in Paramount, CA
Paramount sits just north of us in Long Beach, next door to Lakewood and Bellflower, so it's a short drive for our crew.
Most of the houses we see here are single-story homes on flat, walled lots. The calls are mostly about the masonry around them, like block walls on the side and back lines, brick planters out front, an older fireplace or a cracked driveway. The price follows the size of the job, the material and how much old work comes out first. The schedule mostly turns on whether a permit is needed and when material arrives, so the estimate is where you get your own figure. On ground this flat, trouble usually starts at the footing or with water that has nowhere to go, so that's where I look first.
What we do for Paramount homes
Foundation repair
When a footing or slab cracks or drops, I find out why before we fix anything, whether that's water pooling at a corner, a tree root or a shallow pour.
Chimney repair
Older brick chimneys here usually go at the top first, with loose courses and a cracked crown. We rebuild what's failing so water stops getting in.
Tuckpointing
Worn joints on brick planters and fireplace faces get raked out and refilled with mortar matched to the brick, so the new joints don't crack the old brick.
Brick repair
Cracked or flaking bricks get cut out and replaced one at a time, matched as closely as we can to the color and size already on the house.
Driveway pavers
Plenty of driveways here are cracked concrete. Pavers on a packed base can be lifted and reset in one spot instead of breaking out a whole slab.
Retaining wall construction
With lots this flat, most retaining walls we build here are short ones for raised beds or a step in the yard, each with drainage behind it.
Masonry restoration
Brick and block that's been patched over the years gets cleaned, repointed and repaired where it's failing, so you're not just covering up the next crack.
Fireplace installation
We build masonry fireplaces and fire features indoors or out, laying out the firebox, hearth and clearances before the first block goes down.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer over a block wall or front planter changes the look without a rebuild, as long as the wall behind it is sound and sheds water.
Concrete block walls
Block walls on side and back property lines are what we're asked about most here, and the footing and the steel inside decide how well they stand.
Foundation block wall installation
For a garage or an addition, we lay foundation block on a proper footing, with grouted cells and steel where the plans call for them.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Plenty of back yards here have room for a block-built grill island or counter, and we plan the gas, power and sink lines before the block goes up.
Walkway construction
Front walks and side-yard paths in brick, pavers or stone go down on a compacted base so they stay flat and don't turn into a trip hazard.
Brick wall installation
A brick garden wall or planter along the front of the lot gets a footing sized to the wall and joints tooled so rain runs off.
Stone masonry
Natural stone for walls, steps and planter edges, fitted by hand, for anyone who wants a yard that looks different from the block next door.
Brick pointing
When the brick is fine and only the mortar has given out, pointing fills the joints back in before water gets behind the face.
Ask about your masonry job
Call (562) 257-3026 or send the form with what you're seeing, and I'll come out and look before we talk fixes.
Why Paramount homeowners call us
Working with us means talking to the person who'll be on your job, getting a plain reason for every step, and work backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
I look at it myself
I come out for the estimate and work on site alongside our crew, so nothing gets lost between us.
The cause before the fix
If a wall keeps cracking or staying wet, I'd rather spend an extra hour finding out why than patch it.
Licensed and fully insured
We're licensed and fully insured, so you're not taking on the risk of an uninsured crew in your yard.
Small choices made right
The mortar we mix and the drain behind a wall are small calls that decide how long the work lasts.
One call to start
Call (562) 257-3026 or use the form, and I'll set a time to come look at it.
Questions from Paramount homeowners
Does a masonry contractor in Paramount need a California license?
Yes, if the job needs a building permit, uses employees or other workers, or runs $1,000 or more in labor and materials combined. That's the state rule, and the contractor needs a current license from the Contractors State License Board before they even bid on the job. It's fair to ask anyone who gives you a price whether they hold one.
Can a handyperson do a small masonry job in Paramount without a license?
Yes, but only on small jobs. A person without a license can take on a job up to $1,000 if they hire no workers and the job needs no building permit, and that $1,000 counts labor, materials and every other cost together. A bigger job can't be broken into smaller contracts to stay under the limit.
How do I check if my Paramount home is in an earthquake hazard zone?
Type your address into the state's EQ Zapp lookup, which shows whether the property sits in any of the state's mapped earthquake hazard zones. The state's rules for building in those zones don't apply to a single-family frame house of one or two stories that isn't part of a development of four or more homes. Local rules can be stricter, though, so a city rule may still apply to your house, and it's worth knowing before a foundation or wall job.
What building code applies to a block wall or foundation in Paramount?
The state building code applies, along with local changes, and Paramount has an ordinance amending the current state code on file with the state. For which rules are in force and whether your job needs a permit, the City of Paramount is the place to ask. We check with the city on every job before work starts and pull the permit when one is needed.
How much does masonry work cost in Paramount?
The price is set by the size of the job, the footing it needs, the brick, block or stone you pick and how much old work has to come out first. Access matters too, because a back-yard wall reached through a narrow side yard takes more hands than one at the curb. I'll give you a figure once I've looked at it on site.
What causes block walls to crack in Paramount yards?
Most cracks I see start below the wall, with a footing that's too small or too shallow, tree roots pushing under it, or water collecting at its base. Stair-step cracks along the mortar usually mean the wall is moving, while a crack straight through the block points to a load problem or missing steel. I'd want to look before saying which, because the fix for each is different.
Not in Paramount? Give us a call
Pick your city below for its own page, or call (562) 257-3026 if yours isn't listed, since we work in other cities around Long Beach too.
Ask Blockworks about your Paramount job
Cracks are easiest to read before anyone patches over them, so call (562) 257-3026 or use the form for a free estimate.