Category Archives: masonry

11
Apr
High Rise, Condo and Apartment Masonry and Brick Repair
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High Rise, Condo and Apartment Masonry and Brick Repair

High-rise buildings have to deal with the worst of Canadian weather and are in constant need of inspections and maintenance. Concrete, bricks and other masonry units can spall or crumble due to ice and snow saturation. This can be a safety hazard for people and objects below and should be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Due to the scope and size of apartment buildings, it can be hard to know when repairs are needed just by looking from the ground. Since these buildings are accessed by residents and the public, it’s important that regular masonry inspections and maintenance are completed properly. There is no substitute for up-close analysis from a trained technician.

Rope Access and Difficult-to-Reach Masonry and Brick Repairs

People are often reaching out to us regarding masonry and brick repairs on their condos or apartment complexes that require a special setup to access. Wilkens specializes in jobs accessible from the ground or with 4-5-story scaffolding. At certain heights, the only safe way to perform masonry, brick and concrete repairs is to hire trained rope access specialists.

Rope access technicians are trained to work on hard-to-reach areas, safely. Different companies specialize in a variety of areas. Finding a company that can do most repairs and restorations at rope access heights would be preferable.

Since Wilkens Masonry does not offer rope access solutions, we recommend a company like Precision Building Solutions for the Niagara, Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville Regions.

About Precision Building Solutions

Wilkens Masonry refers Precision Building Solutions for all high-rise and rope access projects. We want our clients to handle their masonry and brick repairs as safely as possible. This means hiring a trained and experienced company and working with specialized teams as needed.

Precision Building Solutions is available to answer any questions regarding rope access repairs and inspections for your high rise, condo and apartment properties. They also offer other high-rise building repair and maintenance services such as painting, coatings, caulking, pressure washing and inspections.

07
Jan
Don’t Wait Until Spring To Book Your Masonry Repair!
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Don’t Wait Until Spring To Book Your Next Masonry Repair!

Original Wilkens Team

mortar to become hard and support bricks. With a shortened season where work can be performed, most establish companies, including Wilkens Masonry, find themselves booked for weeks and even months the moment spring time arrives. This is why we suggest getting your quote as early in the year as possible to not be delayed in getting your work done.

Benefits Of A Speedy Repair

If you line up Wilkens Masonry to come and perform the brick replacement, stone repair, chimney rebuild, parging and tuckpointing work you may require as early in the year as possible, it has some benefits.

Getting work done early in the year gives you more time to enjoy the warm weather without the hassle and headache of organizing a summer time visit from a contractor. The summer is for trips and relaxation, lining up masonry restoration in the spring will ensure that that stays true.

Why Choose Wilkens Masonry?

Wilkens Masonry serves Toronto, southern Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton. For 48 years, we have built a reputation for being reliable, honest and ethical. Family run and with the slogan: “Quality Built On Referrals”, we look forward to the next decades of business and showing homeowners that we are the outfit for them when it comes to all things masonry restoration.

get in touch for a free estimate

While the weather is definitely cold, we are open for estimate requests and our quotes are always free. Visit our website for more information and to fill out our CONTACT FORM. You can also check out our reviews on HOMESTARS and GOOGLE. We look forward to hearing from you!

19
Mar
Wilkens Suggested Contractors
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The Word Of A Good Contractor

The word of a good contractor goes a long way. If you have found an outfit that you have had good experiences with, such as Wilkens Masonry, then our suggestions for other trades should bear some weight. We will be able to help our clients with all things related to masonry restoration, however, our talents run out at carpentry, roofing, siding etc.

Other Trades

There are plenty of occasions where someone has a home in perfect order but needs one thing addressed with their masonry. They call us, we go in, handle the situation, and the project is completed. However, in many other instances, we are helping a client who is renovating and improving their home in more ways than one. They are trying to figure out which way to turn with different trades. They want to find reliable, honest and talented workers. We have been in the construction business for a long time and have plenty of names to send people’s way!

Who We Recommend

Generally, Wilkens Masonry finds itself asked for recommendations in trades like roofing and exterior renovations like carpentry, eavestroughs and siding. For roof replacement we recommend E.W Smith Roofing. For carpentry such as fences and decks we recommend E and M Contractors, and for small exterior repairs we suggest Renaissance Restoration who can be reached at 416 826 3309.

Consultation

One of the qualities that sets Wilkens apart is that we are more than happy to give our free advice. We make a living off of the good will we generate from the homeowners of southern Ontario and believe whole heartedly in the value of benevolence. We are all regular people trying to take care of our homes and, in turn, take care of our families.

What we offer

For a full list of what we offer, check out our services page or give us a call at 416 425 8055.

23
Aug
How To Tell If A Masonry Company Is Legit
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How To Tell If A Masonry Company Is Legit

There are many different contractors and masonry companies to choose from in the Toronto and Hamilton area. Many of them are tried and true, perform good work, and can be relied on to deliver what they promised they would. However, there are always the companies out there that will misrepresent themselves and, sometimes, will try and scam a client just looking to have some restoration done.

Online Presence

If a company has an online presence that seems to have original content and interaction with legitimate clients, it is a pretty reliable sign that they are an actual outfit who has been around for a while. On Google, you can view a company’s business profile and read their reviews. If they have recent reviews as well as reviews going back a few years at least, they have most likely been around for a while. Also, if they post often or respond to their reviews, this means that they are proud of the good work they deliver and would want to please every new client that decides to have them perform some work. At Wilkens Masonry we pride ourselves on the reviews we have garnered on websites such as Google and Homestars.

Deposits For Work

This is a tricky way to gauge a company’s reliability. Some jobs that you want to have done can be pricey, and not all companies have the cash to buy the materials required and to pay their men for the duration of the job. If the job is relatively small, a good sign is that a masonry company will not need a deposit for the work to be done. Wilkens Contracting does not need a deposit for our work to be performed. We trust in our clients and we believe that having that trust will further build our reputation as a masonry contractor that clients in Toronto and Hamilton can continue to rely on.

GET IN TOUCH

Give us a call or visit our website for a free estimate!!!

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.

 

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.

 

 

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.

01
Jul
I need professional brick repair in Toronto
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I need professional brick repair in Toronto

Giving your home a unique appeal, many will admire requires professional care and maintenance. Wilkens Contracting wants you to know that brick restoration can be an excellent way to extend the lifespan of your masonry, as well as ensure it looks its best, but it should always be performed by an experienced professional. If you need professional brick repair in Toronto, Wilkens Contracting is just a phone call away!

Safety

A brick restoration expert is trained to repair and restore your home’s masonry work in the safest way possible. When your bricks are cracking or crumbling, it can be a sign of structural damage that needs proper repairs. For this reason, it’s always best to hire a brick restoration professional who can inspect your masonry and determine whether your home’s structural integrity has been compromised.

Experience

Brick restoration work can be complicated; in most cases, a professional will need to scrape away existing mortar and install new mortar, as well as re-point damaged bricks. Performing this properly requires extensive, hands-on experience that only a seasoned professional has.

Expertise

The same way there are many different types of lumber, there are also many bricks that have been used over the years. Some bricks might have been composed of a different type of clay than others or fired at a lower temperature, meaning they’ll require an expert touch to avoid damaging them during the repair process. A reliable brick restoration expert can easily determine how old your existing brick structure is and the brick it was built with. Then, they develop a repair plan to meet your structure’s unique restoration requirements.

What exactly is a brick mason?

Brick masons work with brick, be it real, manufactured, solid or veneer. They are commonly referred to as “bricklayers.” The process takes care and attention because the lines are typically very uniform and don’t forgive mistakes. Common installations include chimneys and fireplaces, columns, walls and patios.

Finding professional brick repair for your home in Toronto is easy when you choose Wilkens Contracting. Click here to find our contact information or to speak with a representative.

 

 

 

 

 

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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