Category Archives: masonry repair

26
Jan
How Do I Know What Masonry Repairs Are Necessary?
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How Do I Know What Masonry Repairs Are Necessary?

One of the most common reservations people have these days is how expensive it can be to maintain your home. The price of living in the whole world has gone up, and Hamilton and Toronto are no exception. It is sometimes hard to determine if the work or repairs you are considering are completely necessary or if they can be left alone for a while. There are obviously important things, like water pooling against your home and pouring in to your basement, or a chimney crumbling and you find pieces of brick in your driveway. These usually require immediate attention. There are also repairs that are more aesthetic and could wait until the more important repairs are done. With all of this in mind,  you want a masonry contractor such as Wilkens that is going to help you understand the difference so that you can make an informed decision.

Figuring It Out

Your home is your haven. You want it to be safe and secure. Masonry is the backbone of a home and it should be in good condition. When considering repairs and their level of necessity, the first thing to consider would be the structure of the home and if the damage or potential repair will help maintain it. The next is aesthetics. While there can be damage to an exterior of a home that won’t necessarily lead to the house falling down any time soon, the visuals of a home are extremely important to most clients. You want to have pride in your home, and, if you are considering selling, your home should have curb appeal. These are just two factors to consider when trying to figure out what work should be done on your home.

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 an outfit, you should always trust your gut with the person who is trying to sell you on having them perform your work. There are many people who can do good work, but there aren’t always people who are 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.

 

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.

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.

 

22
Aug
Wilkens is Family Owned and Operated Since 1977
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The Beginning of Wilkens Masonry

Since the beginning, Wilkens Masonry has strived to be a company the people of Toronto, Hamilton and the surrounding areas can rely on. We have always been family owned and operated and have a vision for the future which includes the expansion of our quality services into more regions of Southwestern Ontario.

Family Owned and Operated

Our owner, Ernie Wilkens, has worked hard over the past decades to build a company his children could be proud to be a part of. Olivia Wilkens, Ernie’s daughter, is the office manager and oversees all administrative parts of Wilkens. Richard Harris, Ernie’s nephew, is our lead estimator. Jake Wilkens, Ernie’s son, is our head mason. The rest of our team, while not bearing our last name, is very much a part of the family!

What Can Wilkens Masonry Do For You

Wilkens Masonry is your one stop shop for chimney rebuild and restoration, fireplace restoration, tuckpointing or repointing and all forms of brick repair and restoration. We serve the Greater Toronto Area as well as Hamilton and Burlington.

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.

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.

31
Jul
Wilkens Masonry is now in Hamilton!
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Masonry in Hamilton compared to masonry in Toronto

Restoration masonry is both a uniform trade and an extremely varied endeavour. One of the main variables is that, from town to town, city to city, era to era, the masonry materials used in building homes can be very different. Hamilton and Toronto are very similar cities, so it is common to find the same materials had been used in the construction of the city’s original homes . Many of these homes date back to the late 1800s. Most of the bricks in Hamilton are the same as Toronto’s, standard Ontario-sized. The mortar colours found are also the same as well as the construction designs: stone foundations with brick construction on top. 

Making the leap from Toronto to Hamilton

Wilkens Masonry Contracting has been based out of Toronto since 1977. As we have grown as a company, it seemed logical to expand.  Hamilton has over 500,000 people and an extremely old selection of homes which will consistently require masonry restoration including brick replacement, repointing, parging, chimney repair/ rebuilds and much more. Attaining the appropriate materials is essentially as easy as it is in Toronto, and brick matches for almost any home can be found.

Wilkens Masonry is now in Hamilton

Wilkens Masonry has officially arrived in Hamilton! We have been serving Toronto for over 45 years and are excited to be in a new city where we can begin to build our reputation as a full-service masonry restoration company. Please get in touch soon 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.

30
Mar
Does Your Home Need Tuckpointing or Repointing?

Does Your Home Need Tuckpointing or Repointing?

Many houses in Canada have stood for more than a hundred years. Extreme weather from our cold and wet winters lead to the gradual degradation and erosion of the bricks and mortar that form the walls of those houses. The warm days and cold nights of late fall, winter, and early spring lead to water saturating your masonry, liquid during the daytime, and then expanding at night once the water freezes. This loosens the masonry, bringing about a need for repairs.

What is Tuckpointing or Repointing?

Tuckpointing is the industry name for what is more accurately known as re-pointing. It is the replacement of eroded or deteriorated mortar on your masonry walls. Using a pointed bag with a small hole cut on one end, you can apply fresh mortar (mixed to a smooth texture) to the joints found in between the bricks. Once the mortar has dried, the mason will carefully pack the mortar into the joint ,with a wooden dowel or metal jointing tool, and shape the joint to blend in with the rest of the wall. Once this is done, brushing the small, loose particles of mortar off the wall finishes off the process, leaving the mortar to completely cure which usually takes twenty four hours.

Why do You Need Tuckpointing?

Masonry walls are made up of brick and mortar. The mortar is softer than the bricks and generally is found to deteriorate more quickly than the bricks on your wall. When this happens, it is necessary to get work done on your home so that the damage doesn’t worsen and lead to potentially more work at a greater expense.

 

Blending the Old with the New

Wilkens Masonry specializes in tuckpointing and in blending the new mortar with the old. There are dozens of mortar colour tints available, and our trained masons have become Toronto’s best at finding the right colour and tint when tuckpointing walls. Part of the method involves finding a blend that starts off dark enough so that it will dry to the best match. As mortar dries, it usually lightens up, so there is a certain aspect of guesswork involved with achieving the final colour.

More Benefits

The obvious benefits for your home, once tuckpointing has taken place, are an overall aesthetic improvement, as well as prevention of further deterioration of the mortar and bricks, which can incur much higher costs. However, if there is enough damage to your walls, tuckpointing can actual help the energy efficiency of your home. Heat in the winter and cold in the summer can leak out through the tiny gaps in your masonry and lead to drafts and overall higher cost to maintain the temperatures we have all grown accustomed to.

Get Your Toronto Home Tuckpointed or Repointed

Call Wilkens Masonry at 416 425 8055 or request a free estimate online. We will respond right away and have someone evaluate your masonry needs with a no obligation quote.

 

05
Jul
Hire quality masonry services in Toronto
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Hire quality masonry services in Toronto

Working with a professional masonry contractor for your home improvement needs comes with many benefits compared to when DIY. However, the process of choosing a reliable contractor can be a daunting task. That is why it is important to ensure you work with a professional masonry contractor from Wilkens Contracting to benefit from our services. From brick restoration and repair to professional masonry services, Wilkens Contracting should be your first choice in Toronto!

We have the expertise!

Involving professionals for your brick and stone projects ensures that they will put their expert skills into it. Sometimes an issue that appears to be minor like crumbling stone could actually be dangerous for your foundation and these repairs can be extremely risky if not done by professional hands. Moreover their vast knowledge on construction material and the years of experience are enough to keep your home safe from damages.

We are efficient!

Apart from work expertise, our professionals also save you money and time in the project. Trying to take up the task on your hand can be tough and time consuming for you. You would need proper training before gearing up for it. In contrast, our professionals will complete the task faster and also save your money on supplies and potential damages. We have connections in the industry which can help you get better deals on material required in the project!

Think of the resale value!

Shouldering the burden of a masonry work can be risky for you as it may cause further harm to your home instead of repairing it and this would ultimately decrease the value of it. On the other hand, appointing our experts to maintain and renovate your stone structures will give it a better appearance, which will be attractive to any interested buyer as well!

A variety of services!

With experienced masonry contractors, you can also enjoy other services. Whether you require joint repair, masonry restoration, structural stabilization, cast stone repair, concrete rehabilitation, and more, you can count on a good masonry contractor.

If you are looking to hire quality masonry services in Toronto, then Wilkens Contracting is just a phone call away! We would love to hear from you and talk about your project! Click here to find our contact information or to speak with a representative.

15
Jun
Best Season For Masonry Repair In Toronto
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Best Season For Masonry Repair In Toronto

With summer quickly approaching, now is the time to think about the construction or repairs that your home is in dire need of. Have the long winter months of harsh snowstorms and onslaught of ice caused damage to your chimney? Maybe the melting snow caused water damage of your bricks that have created an aesthetically unappealing facade? Whatever the reason you are in need of high-quality masonry work, summer is the best season for masonry repair in Toronto. At Wilkens Contracting, our mission is to deliver nothing but the best brick repair services in the area! To learn more about our company, and how we can help you this upcoming summer season, take a look below.

Longer Days, Sunnier Skies

You might notice the copious amounts of road work and construction that takes place in the Toronto area, and across Ontario, when the warm months come sweeping in. The spring and summertime provide the best weather to complete construction and repair jobs successfully, on time and with beautiful results. As the nature of this job consists of being outdoors, the boon of longer daylight hours, clearer skies, and warmer weather that summer provides, means a more substantial amount of work can be completed in a day, providing faster results for you.

Why Hire Us?

As a fully licensed and insured family business, we strive to treat every customer as if they were a family member themselves. Our mission is to provide the highest quality services we can, ensuring that the job you hire us for is done on time and to your satisfaction. With over five decades of experience working in the Greater Toronto Area, we have the knowledge, skill, and expertise to facilitate repairs on chimneys, fireplaces, facades, and much more! We possess a vast inventory of bricks of all kinds, with mortar to match any colour used in Toronto homes, so our masonry repairs will seamlessly blend into your home’s aesthetic, showing no signs that you required repairs in the first place!

Schedule Today

With summer quickly approaching, now is the time to inquire about our free masonry estimates. With the best season for masonry repairs in Toronto upon us, secure our professional expertise before we become fully booked up! Whatever brick related services you require, we here at Wilkens Contracting can help!

Please click here to find our contact information online, and schedule your free estimate before it’s too late!

 

 

 

01
May
Masonry Repairs In Toronto
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Masonry Repairs In Toronto

Residents looking for quality masonry repairs in Toronto should consider enlisting the help of professionals to produce results you can be happy with. At Wilkens Contracting, we have decades of masonry experience under our belt, specific to the Greater Toronto Area too, meaning we know how to deal with local materials, and damage created from Canadian climates. With spring in the air, and the summer months ahead of us, now is the time to make sure your home’s masonry is in excellent condition, and if it’s not, to get the attention and care it needs to keep you in a structurally sound home. To learn more about what we can do for you here at Wilkens Contracting, please continue reading below.

Repairs, Restorations, And More

When it comes to masonry work, our company is well equipped to provide services for an array of issues. Whether your brickwork or stonework is falling apart, you have water damage that needs to be repaired, you are thinking about adding a new opening to your home, or you want to make sure the integrity of your structure stable and supported, we can help! We understand the local climate, and the type of weather and environmental damage it can cause to buildings in the area, and how to fix it. From revitalizing aesthetics to extending the life of the building material in question, we have the knowledge and know how to get any repair, restoration, or build project done right!

Satisfied Customers

Much of the business we get is gained through word of mouth of our highly satisfied customers. Many of our projects are from repeat customers and their referrals, illustrating just how much stock we put in building and maintaining positive relationships with our clients. Attentive customer care, transparent dealings, and communication are the pillars of our business, using our skills, knowledge, and experience gained through decades of working in the industry, to help all of our customers attain quality masonry repairs.

Contact Us Today

You don’t have to just take our word for it though, as our website is chock full of positive reviews and satisfied customers! So please feel free to continue to browse our website at your leisure, or contact us online or by phone to enlist our help right away!

We look forward to facilitating the repairs you need to keep your home in excellent condition for many years to come. Please click here to find our contact information online, and let us know how Wilkens Contracting can help with your masonry repairs in Toronto today!

18
Jan
Masonry Repairs Near Me
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Masonry Repairs Near Me

If your home, or office, is made out of brick or stone walls, at some point you will need access to a professional mason. This is especially true if you are located in Canada, as weather exposure and elemental damage of brickwork are far worse during the nation’s prolonged winter months. If you are not actively keeping an eye on the brickwork of your home, and the seasonal damage acquired, the structural integrity could be compromised, resulting in disastrous consequences. Therefore, it is essential to you and your home’s safety, to routinely look for damaged brickwork and enlist the proper help for repairs. Here at Wilkens Contracting, we provide professional and expert masonry repairs to the GTA and beyond.

 Continue to read through this post to recognize the signs of repairs.

 Bowed Bricks

Bowed, or bulging, bricks that can be seen in your outer wall is a significant sign of needed repair. If you notice that the bricks in your wall are jutting out, or caving in, there must be excess moisture behind the material. This water damage can cause more structural problems if not dealt with, so if you notice deformed bricks in your wall, now is the time to call us at Wilkens Contracting!

To deal with this water damage, our team would remove the affected bricks, assess the problem, replace the damaged bricks with new, matching bricks, and rebuild the section.

Stress Cracks

Although they sound much more dangerous than they are, stress cracks occur on a regular basis. A crack in your foundation, within 30 degrees of vertical, signifies natural expansion. Cracks should still be repaired by a professional as soon as you notice them. Even though they may not cause an immediate structural problem, if left alone, water can seep into the cracks causing more severe damage, like bulging bricks.

If you call Wilkens Contracting for your masonry repairs, we can quickly fix your stress cracks. Our team will colour match the repair as close as possible.

Listed above are just a few of the adverse effects Canadian weather can have on masonry work. If you fear that your brickwork has fallen into disrepair and you need a professional and expert mason to facilitate the repair, our team can help.

Contact Us

Wilkens Contracting offers professional and expert masonry repairs for those seeking help in the GTA. We see the beauty in perfectly executed masonry. Our company takes pride in the work we do, and we want you to take pride in it with us.

Contact us online and fill out our free estimation form to get your restorations underway!

 

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