Category Archives: masonry restoration

13
May
Building a New Arch
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Building a New Arch

Before steel was able to be manufactured inexpensively for using as lintels over windows and doors, masons had to build arches over any openings in masonry walls. This was done using an arch shape which allowed the weight of the bricks and framing above the opening to be transferred to the sides and not down straight on to the wood and glass of the old windows. A curved piece of wood, known as a form, was used to stabilize the bricks while the mortar dried and was removed later once the structure was secure. There are many forms of arches including a soldier arch, a row lock arch and, what we will see here, a jack arch.

Jack Arches

Jack arches are sort of an optical illusion. The bricks are cut at an angle at the bottom and top to allow for a straight mortar joint on top as well as a straight opening at the bottom where the window will go. Because the bricks are still slanted as they would be in a regular arch, the weight is still transferred, but the appearance is what we achieve now using a steel lintel. This work takes a bit longer than using steel and is slightly more expensive, but if you are going for a traditional, beautiful look, it is definitely worth it.

Give Us A Call Or Visit Our Website 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.

A Photo Showing Previous Brickwork Replaced With New Brickwork

Brick Arch Over An Opening In A Wall

New Brick Arch Put Over A Window Opening

20
Oct
Wilkens Masonry, A Family Company
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Wilkens Masonry, A Family Company

Wilkens was founded in 1977 as a masonry and roofing company, eventually the roofing portion was sold off and rebranded and Wilkens began concentrating its efforts solely on masonry restoration. Toronto, Hamilton and surrounding areas are filled with beautiful, old, well built homes that generally need a bit of work as the harsh winters batter their walls. There has been more than enough work to keep our family company thriving.

As The Years Go On

Throughout the past 46 years, Wilkens has evolved with the changing industry of masonry restoration. Toronto in the 80s and 90s was almost like the Wild West as far as the home renovations world went. The municipal and provincial regulations were still being solidified and there was a lot of unprofessional work being done. The Wilkens Family, though, has always tried to maintain a certain level of ethics and quality that drove them to perform their brick repair, tuckpointing, chimney rebuilds and general masonry restorative work at the highest level, maintaining standards that had yet to be written into the Ontario Building Code.

The Wilkens Team Now

While not everyone who works at Wilkens shares the same last name, it is very much a family company. Beyond the the two generations of Wilkens’ who run the office and perform the work, the full time employees have been with the team for as long as 30 years in some cases and are just as integral to the overall success as the company as anyone else. Wilkens Masonry is proud to have been so steadfast and constant over the past decades and look forward to the decades to come.

GEt in touch for a free estimate

Wilkens Masonry offers free estimates and friendly advice to anyone in the Toronto, Hamilton and surrounding areas. You can contact us here either by filling out our online form or giving us a call. You can also take a look at us one Homestars and Google to see our many glowing reviews and some photos of our work!

 

12
Sep
Get Your Masonry Work Done Before Winter!
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Get Your Masonry Work Done Before Winter!

When the weather get’s too cold, masonry restoration and repair work such as brick replacement, tuckpointing and repointing, parging and chimney repair get’s difficult to do. Unless you create an artificially heated environment, the work has to wait until there is a steadily warm forecast that allows for the mortar used in masonry restoration to properly dry and cure. If the water in masonry freezes, it interrupts the chemical process that allows it to harden.

Winter Weather

If you leave a repair too long, it can continue to deteriorate at an increased rate. It may take decades to get to a certain, manageable point and then only a matter of years to get to dire straits. When water get’s in to a partially deteriorated mortar joint, it can exponentially increase deterioration and even get behind the faces of bricks when it freezes and expands. Chimneys in particular are exposed to the worst of winter weather as they have little to no natural protection or protection from the rest of the house.

Autumn Rush

Most masonry companies have a huge influx of calls and requests for work in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and Wilkens Masonry is no exception. We are proud of being a company that people rely on, and we do our best to get to everyone before the season is over and the weather gets to be too cold. Still, it is better to call soon and line us up so that there is no question we can perform your brick and masonry restoration work.

Get in Touch!

Give us a call or request an estimate at our website. You can also check us out on Google and Homestars to peruse our glowing reviews from our many satisfied customers.

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.

 

23
Feb
Small Masonry Repairs Toronto And Hamilton
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Small Masonry Repairs Toronto And Hamilton

There is no shortage of masonry restoration companies in Toronto and Hamilton. Masonry is an age old trade, people have been laying bricks as long as homes have been properly made. However, many companies seek larger, longer jobs to keep them busy for greater periods of time. It is a fair need as many companies have larger crews that they want to keep working. It is because of this that not every company though, unlike Wilkens, will perform small repairs.

Big Repairs vs Small Repairs

Many people are on the hunt for a masonry contractor that can help them with a quick fix. Not everyone has it within their budget to hire a company to do a full rebuild of a chimney, or replace hundreds of bricks. Not everyone has the luxury of restoring their masonry to its former glory. This means that small repairs are something sought after.

The nature of the industry, however, has lead to a relatively lazy approach. The truth  is that some contractors won’t even come and take a look when they hear that all you need is a few holes filled or a few bricks replaced. Wilkens Masonry is known as a leader in the small repairs part of masonry. Our trained masons can be in an out in a few hours and we can do it for a fair price that won’t break your budget. A few holes tuckpointed, some spalling bricks replaced, a small section of your foundation parged or your chimney repaired rather than fully rebuilt. For all of that and more, we are your guys.

For the record, though, while we are more than happy to come out for the small things, we will also come out for the bigger jobs too.

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 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.

 

17
Feb
Can I Do Masonry Repairs By Myself?
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Can I Do Masonry Repairs By Myself?

The answer is undoubtedly, yes. However, the extent to which you can perform masonry repairs depends on a few things. If the work is not too far off the ground or does not require a specialist tool, then for most basic repairs, a competent person could perhaps perform the work.

There are a few things to consider which we address in the rest of this article.

How High Is The Work?

Many times a masonry repair such as brick replacement, tuckpointing or repointing, parging or just patching in a hole will be close to the ground. Almost always, though, there will be more work just out of arms reach or even further up the walls of your house. If you do not own a ladder, or perhaps are not comfortable and confident working at heights, this is a good reason to bring in a professionally trained masonry contractor such as Wilkens Contracting. We are all certified Working At Heights trained and can bring in a variety of ladders and scaffolding setups to safely and properly access all areas needed to be addressed. This is particularly important when considering a chimney repair or rebuild. Most people are not properly trained to work on a roof in a safe and efficient way.

How Important Are Aesthetics In Masonry Repairs?

If you wanted to just fill a hole near the ground level of your exterior wall that you were worried about pests or water getting through, you can go to most hardware or home improvement stores, speak to an employee and find a product you can apply. However, over the past 46 years, at Wilkens Masonry Contracting we have seen many attempts by customers to do the work themselves, leading to more work when the end product is sloppy and unsightly. You have to decide if that matters to you or if the work will be in an obvious place.

Do You Have The Right Tools For Masonry Repairs?

Many masonry repairs can be done with basic tools that most households have in their basement or shed. However, when it comes to brick replacement, you need heavy duty saws and jackhammers to remove the bricks from the wall. When it comes to tuckpointing and parging, special trowels are needed to provide the proper finish and texture to the mortar or cement. It may not be worth the investment into these tools if you want to get the job done the right way!

Also, there are special mortar mixtures and standards set that vary when performing masonry repairs. Not all cement or mortar is appropriate for a repair. Some mortar is more flexible, some are meant to be used for load bearing walls. Wilkens Masonry Contracting can provide you with the right ingredients for a job well done!

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.

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.

 

 

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

Get in touch 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.

Give us a look on Homestars as well as 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.

 

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