Masonry Contractor in Riverside, CA - Cracked Walls and Worn Mortar Fixed at the Cause
United Eastvale Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Eastvale that builds and repairs block and brick walls, chimneys, walkways and outdoor kitchens for Riverside, CA homes. Our own crew does the work, with me on site.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free quotes on site.
- Expect a reply within 1 business day.
Riverside homes and the masonry work we see
Riverside is a big city with a lot of different houses, and our calls here cover the whole range. Around the older parts of town we get called to brick chimneys, brick planters and front steps where the mortar has worn thin. In the newer tracts it's mostly block walls between yards and plain stucco fronts that people want to dress up. It's a short run from our base in Eastvale, and we take the same kinds of calls next door in Jurupa Valley and over in Corona.
That spread changes the job. On an older brick house the work is matching mortar and brick to what's been there for decades, and on a newer lot it's usually about footings, drainage and walls that have to hold a grade.
Masonry work we do on Riverside homes
Foundation repair
When a foundation wall under an older Riverside house cracks, we find what moved it before we patch anything, so the repair holds.
Chimney repair
Older brick chimneys here often show loose bricks and open joints near the top first. We rebuild what's failing and reset the cap so water stops getting in.
Tuckpointing
If the mortar between your bricks has turned sandy, we grind out the worn joints and pack in fresh mortar matched to the old color.
Brick repair
Spalled bricks, where the face flakes off, show up on older Riverside planters, steps and house fronts. We cut out the bad ones and set matching brick.
Driveway pavers
Pavers on a packed base can replace a cracked Riverside driveway, and if one spot settles later, we can lift and reset just those pavers.
Retaining wall construction
On a sloped Riverside yard, we build the wall on a solid footing with drainage behind it, since trapped water is what pushes walls over.
Masonry restoration
Older brick and stone on Riverside homes can look tired without being unsound. We clean it, repoint it and swap failed pieces, keeping the original look.
Fireplace installation
If you want a fireplace in a family room or out on the patio, we build it in brick or stone to fit the room and your house.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer, a thin layer of real or cast stone, can dress up a plain stucco front or column. We set it over the proper backing.
Concrete block walls
Block walls line a lot of Riverside property lines. When one leans or cracks along the joints, we check the footing first, then repair or rebuild that stretch.
Foundation block wall installation
For an addition, a garage or a raised floor, we lay block foundation walls on a poured footing, set level and reinforced where the plans call for it.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
A lot of Riverside backyards have room for an outdoor kitchen. We build the counters and grill island in block, then face them in brick, stone or stucco.
Walkway construction
A path from the driveway to the door or the side gate gets daily use, so we build it in pavers, brick or stone on a packed base.
Brick wall installation
A brick garden wall or front-yard wall suits Riverside's older streets. We build it on a footing with clean, tooled joints that match the house.
Stone masonry
Natural stone works for steps, planters, columns and low walls on a Riverside lot. We fit each piece by hand so the joints stay tight.
Brick pointing
If only a few joints on a wall or chimney have cracked or dropped out, brick pointing fills just those, with mortar matched to what's already there.
Get a free written masonry estimate in Riverside
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day. I come out to walk the job with you, then send a written estimate. It's free, and there's no obligation.
(951) 416-3252- Based in
- Eastvale, CA 92880
- Hours
- Mon–Sun: 8 AM–9 PM
What we deal with on Riverside masonry jobs
Most masonry jobs in Riverside start with the city, because it issues the building permits and its permit rule covers building, altering or repairing a structure. That can take in a new wall, a chimney rebuild or foundation work, so the permit question gets settled before we set a start date, and I'd rather sort it out up front than stop a job halfway. Any business doing work in the city needs a valid City of Riverside business license, so it's fair to ask whoever you hire for theirs, and the city's Business License Division answers questions about it.
We drive in from Eastvale for Riverside work, the same as we do for jobs out in Rancho Cucamonga and Norco. We're licensed and insured, and I come out to look at each job myself. What moves the price is how long and tall the wall is, whether it's block, brick or stone, how much old work has to come out and how easily we can get material to the spot, especially in a tight side yard or up a steep backyard. The schedule mostly turns on the permit and on what we find once the old work is open, and the written estimate I send after the visit gives you the number for your job.
Why Riverside walls and chimneys need work
Brick and mortar on older Riverside homes wear at different speeds, and the mortar goes first on purpose, because it's meant to be softer than the brick. When joints get sandy or open up, water gets in behind the face and starts loosening bricks, so we cut out the worn mortar and repoint before the brick itself has to be replaced. If a chimney or wall has actually moved, I'll tell you that at the first visit instead of patching a crack that's going to come back.
Block walls along property lines and on sloped yards are the other big call here. A lean or a crack that runs like stairs along the joints usually means the footing or the water behind the wall is the problem, so we look there before we touch the block.
How a masonry job runs when you call us in Riverside
From your first call to the final walk-through, here's what happens, and you'll have a written estimate in hand before you decide anything.
Call or send a request
Call (951) 416-3252 or use the form, any day from 8 AM to 9 PM. We get back to you and set a time for me to come out.
I walk the job with you
I tell you what I see, what's causing it and what I'd do about it. Then I send a written estimate, so you know the cost before you commit.
We sort out the permit
If you say yes, we check with the city and handle the paperwork when a permit's needed, before work starts. Simple permits can go out the same day at the city counter, but a job that needs plans goes through planning and plan review first, so we set the start date after that.
We build it and walk it
Our own crew does the work, with me on site running it. When it's cleaned up, we walk it together so you can see the finished job.
Questions about masonry work in Riverside
Do I need a permit to build a block wall or fence in Riverside, CA?
The City of Riverside's permit rules exempt fences no more than 7 feet high from a building permit. A fence in the front yard setback, the strip between your house and the street, may still need approval from the city's Planning Division. We check with the city on how your wall is treated before we start.
Does a retaining wall need a permit in Riverside, CA?
Under the city's exemption, a retaining wall no more than 4 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, doesn't need a permit. The exemption ends if the wall carries extra load above it, like a driveway, a slope or a structure, or holds back flammable or combustible liquids. Because the footing counts toward the 4 feet, a wall that looks like 3 feet out of the ground can be over the line, so we measure from the footing when we plan it.
How do I get a building permit for masonry work in Riverside?
You apply to the city, and many permits can be issued to the property owner, the owner's authorized agent or a licensed contractor. Applications can go in at the Permit Services counter in the city's One Stop Shop. If you hire us, that application is part of what we take care of.
How long does a Riverside building permit stay valid?
A residential permit becomes invalid if the permitted work doesn't start within 12 months of the day it's issued. That matters if you're planning a wall or an outdoor kitchen for next year, so we time the permit to the start date instead of pulling it early.
Does a contractor based outside Riverside need a city business license?
It may, because an older city finance page says businesses located outside the city limits may also be required to get a City of Riverside business license. The Business License Division has the current answer. We're based in Eastvale, so it's a fair question to ask us or any contractor you're comparing.
What affects the cost of masonry work in Riverside, CA?
The size of the job, the material and how much has to be fixed underneath set most of the price. Brick and natural stone usually take more labor to lay than block, and a wall that needs a new footing costs more than one that only needs repointing. Access matters too, since hauling block and mortar through a narrow side yard takes longer than driving it to the spot, and the written estimate after my visit gives you the figure for your job.
Eastvale, CA
Ask us about your Riverside project and permit
Call (951) 416-3252 or send the form, because a wall that's starting to lean or a joint that's starting to open is usually a smaller fix now than after it gets worse.