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Category Archives: Brick Repair

  • brick openings
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  • Burlington Brick Repair
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  • masonry restoration
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16
May
Brick Window Sill Replacement
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Brick Window Sill Replacement

Newer homes are often built with brick window sills. A newer home is, arbitrarily, around 30-40 years old. Back in the day, window sills were made out of limestone, which is arguably the best material to use to withstand the harsh winter weather of Southern Ontario.

Water and ice sit on the rough texture and bumpy surfaces of bricks and their mortar joints, and slowly degrade the surface. Once a crack appears, water will go oven deeper into the brick and start to break away the face. Eventually the entire brick sill will crumble. The best course of action is to demolish the remaining pieces of brick and to replace it all with a pre-cut limestone sill.

brick failing on a window sill

Brick Sill Before Replacement

brick flaking on a window sill

Brick Sill Before Replacement

New limestone installed beneath a window

Limestone Sill After

New limestone installed underneath a window

Limestone Sill After

Why limestone?

Limestone is a hard and resilient material that has been used in masonry construction for most of man’s history. Water will generally shed off of limestone and, unless the stone is laid without a slope, will not absorb through the stone and damage its structure. Window sills stick out further than the rest of the wall, so they will get hit by more rain and snow. With a drip edge cut on the underside of the stone, the water will slide off and protect the area below the window.

Wilkens Masonry

Wilkens masonry is a family run company that has been around for close to 50 years. We are well known in Toronto, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and Mississauga for our high quality work, fair prices and wonderful customer service. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable with the tradespeople they hire, and our goal is to make you feel like you’re a part of the family.

Free estimates

Get in touch for your free estimate! You can visit our WEBSITE to contact us and can read our glowing reviews on HOMESTARS and GOOGLE. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

 

 

 

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26
Mar
Brick Repair and Masonry Near Me
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Brick Repair and Masonry Near Me

When looking for the right brick repair contractor, finding someone “nearby” is generally preferable. Toronto, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and Mississauga are not small towns and, finding someone local is relative to your preferences. While Wilkens Masonry is based in Toronto with an office in Hamilton, we serve all cities and regions in between. Also, we aim to do it in the most “local” way possible.

A Local Company

Wilkens Masonry has become synonymous with high quality brick repair and restoration throughout the GTA and surrounding areas. However, our family owned and operated company has been around for soon to be 50 years. We know most neighbourhoods in Toronto like the back of our hands and, even though we can’t be local to all neighbourhoods, offer a very close and comfortable experience when servicing your masonry needs.

Ernie Wilkens raised his family in High Park and maintained Wilkens’ office and yard in Leaside for over 25 years. As the family has grown and expanded, the list of neighbourhoods we are “local” to has increased, but our personal touch and attention to the details of your area hasn’t changed.

Why Hire Us?

Wilkens Masonry is well known in the Toronto, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and surrounding areas. We have established a reputation as an honest, ethical, talented and hardworking team. We have fair prices and, you’ll see if you check out our reviews, maintain a very close relationship with our clients. Brick repair, as with all renovation and restoration, should be as straightforward and painless as possible. That is our goal with all projects.

Check us out and get in touch

If you want to peruse through our glowing reviews, you can check us out on GOOGLE and HOMESTARS or read our published REVIEWS on our WEBSITE. Our motto is “quality, built on referrals”. We’ve been around for decades, and we’ll be around for decades more. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

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09
Dec
What Does Brick Replacement Involve?
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What Does Brick Replacement Involve?

Brick replacement in Toronto, Hamilton, Burllington and Oakville is a part of home restoration and upkeep that most homeowners will have to deal with at some point in their lives. Cold weather brings a lot of moisture and sub zero temperatures.  When brick and masonry is saturated with water and the temperature goes below zero, the expansion of the water leads to deterioration that gets worse and worse as it happens more and more.

Figuring Out Which Bricks To Replace

Often, there are bricks that are borderline in need of replacement, and figuring out exactly which bricks to replace is one of the difficulties of brick replacement in general. Our first job is to  ensure that the bricks we are breaking out of the wall are absolutely in need of replacement while leaving in bricks that may have some surface wear but, for the sake of budget, do not need to be replaced at this time.

Removing The Bricks

Using a handheld jackhammer or, if the mortar surrounding the bricks in soft enough, a carbide blade saw, the bricks are removed while limiting the damage to surrounding, healthy bricks, as much as possible. Also, we can only remove a certain amount of bricks at a time without having bricks above the area of replacement shifting or falling. Bricks support their counterparts above on a 45 degree angle and, depending on how many bricks are needed to be replaced, the project has to be done in stages to allow the new bricks to set and become load bearing.

Get in touch for a free estimate!

Give us a call or visit our WEBSITE to set up a free quote for the brick replacement you may need. You can also check out or glowing reviews on HOMESTARS and GOOGLE. We look forward to hearing from you!

Original Wilkens Team

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05
Nov
Brick Repair Toronto
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Brick Repair In Toronto

Brick repair in Toronto is an industry that has existed since the first buildings were erected in Southern Ontario so long ago. Brick and stone homes were the best choice for people trying to secure themselves against the harsh weather of the Canadian winters. Brick walls do well for hundreds of years, but when certain parts of the wall become overly or disproportionately saturated, they can show early and unpleasant signs of deterioration. Fast forward to today, and most Toronto homes are in need of some level of brick repair. This can be brick replacement, tuckpointing or repointing, chimney rebuilds and repair, parging etc.

The Quoting Process

Generally, a reputable masonry company will offer free quotes and site visits. If you call Wilkens and speak to our office manager, Connor, he will take down your basic information so that we can come and see what you might need in the way of brick repair and then be able to contact you afterwards. If you require an appointment, our estimators Richard and Jake will be the ones to contact you. Once a site visit has been completed, we will write up a quote or estimate and send it to you ASAP. You can review and contact us at your earliest convenience, coordinating with us if there is a time crunch or schedule you are trying to work with.

A Family Run Firm

Wilkens Masonry has been family run since it’s beginning in 1977. A second generation has taken the reins and hopes to emulate the honesty and quality work that has established one of Toronto’s oldest brick repair companies. Family run businesses generally come with a certain responsibility and pride and Wilkens Masonry is no exception.

GEt in touch for a free estimate

Check out our WEBSITE or take a look at our reviews on HOMESTARS and GOOGLE to see what we’re all about. For all of your masonry needs (brick repair, brick replacement, tuckpointing, repointing, parging, chimney repair and chimney rebuild) we are the company for you. Offering friendly advice and free estimates for 47 years.

Award for Best of Homestars 2024

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03
May
The Masonry Season Well Under Way!
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The Masonry Season Well Under Way!

Every year, the question we ask at Wilkens Masonry is: when can we get back to work!? The main barrier we face in the masonry repair and restoration industry is the weather. For larger jobs, we can avoid the cold and wet weather of the winter months by closing jobs in with a series of tarps and scaffolding and then install job site heaters. For smaller repair jobs, the cost would be too high. So, we find ourselves waking up in March and April, and checking the weather before we even have our first cup of coffee.

This year though, we’ve had a streak of good luck! The masonry season has begun and we are off and running. The weather turned in our favour at the beginning of April and we are finally able to get to all of our wonderful customers who have been waiting for Mother Nature to play ball! We are so happy to be back at it and can’t wait for the weather to get warmer and warmer.

What To Look For On My House

Now that the weather has stabilized, it is a good time to take a walk around your home and look for signs of brick, mortar and other forms of masonry deterioration. Look for discolourations that show where water has saturated the wall. Identify areas where the brick and mortar appear to be softer or seem to be flaking off. These are spots on the wall that are being effected by the weather and, while the cause of the deterioration needs to be addressed, reinforcing the masonry is a good idea.

Honesty And Ethics With Your Quote

The trades and restoration, with masonry as no exception, are home to all types of people and companies. When dealing with any company, you should always trust your feelings with the person who is trying to sell you on having them perform your work. There are many outfits that can do good work, but they aren’t always  a pleasure to deal with. At Wilkens, we aim to show you that honesty and ethics in the world of masonry are not forgotten concepts or simply a banner to add to your website’s homepage. These are two ideas that are at our very core and philosophy as a company. You can learn more about us here

Give us a Call for a Free Estimate!

At Wilkens masonry, our estimates are always free. We serve the Toronto and Hamilton areas. We will come by and give you an honest assessment coupled with a fair price for the services we deliver. Also, if the scope of work is something we don’t cover, we can always point you in the right direction of a company that can service your needs.

Check us out on Homestars and Google! You can also Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation or call us at 416 425 8055.

 

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08
Mar
Brick Repair Hamilton
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Brick Repair Hamilton

Wilkens Masonry wants everyone to know that we have expanded our services to Hamilton, Ontario and surrounding areas. Hamilton is a city that has been booming for quite some time now. It is filled with countless beautiful, old homes that often are in need of basic masonry repairs from tuckpointing, brick replacement, parging, chimney repairs and chimney rebuilds. So far, over the past couple of years, we have been more than pleased with the warm reception from the community of Hamilton. It never ceases to amaze us as to how generous and kind the people of this city are and we look forward to the decades of service will will offer.

What Part’s Of Hamilton Do We Serve?

Wilkens Masonry’s Hamilton office is in the Stinson area, however we service all parts of Hamilton. So far, most of our customers have been in the older part of the city (Rosedale, Corktown, Durand and Downtown Hamilton) as these areas generally have the oldest homes that have been putting up with rough Canadian weather for over 100 years. As the years go on, and the homes in Hamilton’s outer areas continue to age, we will be more than happy to help keep them in tip top shape!

Give Us A Call For A Free Estimate!

At Wilkens masonry, our estimates are always free. We serve the Toronto and Hamilton areas. We will come by and give you an honest assessment coupled with a fair price for the services we deliver. Also, if the scope of work is something we don’t cover, we can always point you in the right direction of a company that can service your needs.

Check us out on Homestars and Google! You can also Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation or call us at 416 425 8055.

Homestars Award For 2025 Indicating Great Service

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13
Feb
Is It Too Cold For Masonry Repairs?
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Is It Too Cold For Masonry Repairs?

Many people in Toronto, Hamilton and the surrounding areas wait until the spring season has undoubtedly arrived to turn their attention to home repairs. However, living in southern Ontario means that we often have warm weather spells throughout the winter. If you have a small masonry repair such as a chimney repair, a few bricks to replace or some tuckpointing to be done, you may want to reach out to Wilkens Masonry and have the work done before the rush of the warmer months.

Does Temperature Matter?

For mortar to be mixed, you add water to a mixture of sand and masonry cement. If the temperature is below zero, it means that the water can freeze and the mortar will not be able to “cure” properly (this is the chemical process by which mortar and concrete become hard. Sometimes, in a pinch, you can add a liquid that speeds up the curing process and allows the mortar to be worked with at colder temperatures. However, this can alter the look of the mortar and make it harder to do aesthetic work. Speaking to the masonry estimator can help you determine what course of action to take and weather or not the brick replacement, tuckpointing, chimney repair, parging or other masonry repair needs to be done.

Are Masonry Companies Open Throughout The Winter?

While we cannot speak for the responsiveness of other Toronto and Hamilton based masonry restoration companies, Wilkens is open year round. We will come out and take a look at the work you may need done and provide an honest opinion on the importance and process of the project. If it’s too cold we will let you know and we will help find a solution to ensure you are well taken care of.

Give us a Call for a Free Estimate!

At Wilkens Masonry, our estimates are always free. We serve the Toronto and Hamilton areas. We will come by and give you an honest assessment coupled with a fair price for the services we deliver. Also, if the scope of work is something we don’t cover, we can always point you in the right direction of a company that can service your needs.

Check us out on Homestars and Google! You can also Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation or call us at 416 425 8055.

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08
Feb
Homestars Hamilton
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Wilkens Masonry Is Now On Homestars Hamilton!

Wilkens Contracting Inc. has been built on quality and referrals since 1977. Most of our leads for masonry restoration, brick repair and replacement, tuckpointing and chimney repair has come from word of mouth and returning customers, throughout that time period. Now, with our recent expansion into the wonderful city of Hamilton, we are proud to be listed on Homestars. We are planning on a broadened relationship with the home renovations website Homestars as one of the ways that the good people of Hamilton, Burlington and the surrounding areas will find us and bring us out for a free estimate.

What Will Wilkens Masonry Be Offering In Hamilton?

Our services to the people of Hamilton will be all things masonry restoration! We want to give you a free estimate, at your convenience, for your brick restoration and repairs, your tuckpointing and repointing, your new masonry openings, your chimney repair and rebuilds and much more! Hamilton is a booming city that we are excited to grow with and serve.

How Does Homestars Work?

Homestars has a brilliant system for helping people find reliable, verified companies for their home renovation and repair needs. The first option, if you are seeking a trained masonry restoration specialist, you can go on Homestars and put out a general call for a reliable contractor. Homestars will send your posting to the companies in the designated area that fit your needs and give them the option to reach out to you.

The next way that you can use Homestars is as a directory for contractors who you can read about, vet and contact all on your own. Homestars has rated the companies based on a variety of categories to give you the control in choosing the contractor, such as Wilkens, for your project.

Give us a Call for a Free Estimate!

At Wilkens masonry, our estimates are always free. We serve the Toronto and Hamilton areas. We will come by and give you an honest assessment coupled with a fair price for the services we deliver. Also, if the scope of work is something we don’t cover, we can always point you in the right direction of a company that can service your needs.

Check us out on Homestars and Google! Watch our short video on Youtube. You can also Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation or call us at 416 425 8055.

 

 

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21
Dec
Getting Ahead Of The Spring Masonry Rush
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Getting Ahead of the Spring Masonry Rush

It’s the holidays here in Ontario and it’s a time to be with family, eat lots of food and try and regenerate before the new year arrives. The last thing you want to think about is repairing your home. However, there is  a big plus side to having a look around your home now, and finding a company who can slot you in first thing in the spring for some masonry repairs such as tuckpointing or repointing, brick replacement and chimney restoration.

Slow Season

The winter time is the “slow season” for most masonry restoration companies. Mortar requires certain temperatures to cure (chemically harden) properly, so most companies hibernate throughout the winter. This is the time that a company, such as Wilkens Masonry, would be more than happy to come and give you a free estimate. We can outline work to be done the moment we have a warm spell and spring has sprung.

Why the Rush?

When spring begins, and almost everyone performs their home inspection to see what they need to get done, Wilkens will be flooded with calls and all of a sudden find ourselves with a six to eight week backlog of jobs to deliver. This is a great problem to have for us, however we all know that once the weather starts getting warmer, and the weekend plans start piling up, the necessary repairs to your home can get forgotten and lost in the shuffle. All of a sudden you find yourself at the end of the year again trying to find someone to squeeze you in.

Give us a Call for a Free Estimate!

At Wilkens masonry, our estimates are always free. We serve the Toronto and Hamilton areas. We will come by and give you an honest assessment coupled with a fair price for the services we deliver. Also, if the scope of work is something we don’t cover, we can always point you in the right direction of a company that can service your needs.

Check us out on Homestars and Google! You can also Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation or call us at 416 425 8055.

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23
Sep
Should I Get Masonry Work Done Before Winter?
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Should I Get Masonry Work Done Before Winter

For many home in Toronto and Hamilton. Masonry work can be unavoidable and needed as soon as possible. It can also be largely aesthetic and avoided until a convenient time arises to get it restored. We can help you out, at Wilkens Masonry, with both of those categories of repair. Before the winter time comes, you should get any masonry work done that may be exposed to rain and snow from the coming months. You should look for parts of your masonry that are in need of repair and could be made worse by another season of harsh weather. Sometimes it can be left alone for a while, sometimes it will get worse exponentially.

What To Look For

What to look for on the walls of your house are large cracks that usually step down the joints of the wall in a staircase pattern. These are called stress cracks and are usually straight through to the inside of your home. If there is direct exposure to weather at this part of your wall, water can find it’s way in and can cause more damage in the freeze and thaw. Another, very important part of your home to check is the chimney above the roof. If you see that the cap of the chimney has loose pieces or there are larger holes in the joints of the chimney ‘s main body, then you may want to get it tuckpointed or perhaps rebuilt. Chimneys are exposed to the harsh winds and weather of the winter and having the masonry be brand new or restored can be very important. Other than that, a good look around your home to identify any parging, brick repair or tuckpointing is a good idea before it get’s too cold!

Wilkens Masonry Is Now In Hamilton

Wilkens Masonry has officially set up shop in Hamilton, Ontario! We have been serving Toronto for 45 years and are excited to be in a new city where we can build our reputation as a full-service masonry restoration company. Get in touch for a free estimate to discuss your repointing, tuckpointing, parging, brick repair and chimney repair.

We are fully insured, our estimates are free and we can work closely with you or a hired general contractor to make sure that our quote will fit in with any blueprints or plans that may exist.

Check us out on Homestars and Google! You can also Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation or call us at 416 425 8055.

 

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Service Area

WE SERVICE ALL AREAS OF:
-HAMILTON
-BURLINGTON
-OAKVILLE
-MISSISSAUGA

Click the image below to view our service area for Toronto:

TORONTO

Our Location

30 Canvarco Road, Unit 5
Toronto, Ontario M4G 1L3

Phone: 416-425-8055
Alt: 416-423-5099

Testimonials & Reviews


Our customers love us, please click the link below to view our Customer Testimonials.


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“From our first contact, to the friendly service, the work completed, the clean up, and customer follow-up, we are very pleased, and impressed. I would not hesitate to recommend Wilkens Contracting Inc. to anyone.”
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