Brookline Masonry for Brick Steps and Garden Walls That Respect Older Brick Homes
Neto Painting & Masonry, based in Everett, MA.
- 8 years of masonry experience
- Based in Everett, MA
- Real photos of our own work
Or call (857) 335-0897
The short answer
Who does masonry contractor work in Brookline, MA?
Masonry Contractor for Brookline homes
Brookline has more old brick than almost any town around it. Rowhouses and brick apartment buildings line the streets near Coolidge Corner, Brookline Village and Washington Square, while hills like Fisher Hill and Aspinwall Hill hold large 19th and early 20th century houses with stone walls, granite steps and terraced gardens. Brookline has seven local historic districts, including Cottage Farm near the Boston University side and Pill Hill near Brookline Village, both also listed on the National Register.
Older brick needs a careful hand. Much of it was laid with soft lime mortar, and repointing it with hard modern mortar can crack the brick faces over a few winters. Brick stoops and steps on these homes take salt and foot traffic close to busy sidewalks, and garden walls along the street often lean where tree roots and water have pushed behind them.
In Brookline we spend most of our time on repair rather than new construction: repointing brick steps and chimneys with a compatible mortar, resetting granite, rebuilding garden walls and replacing tired walkways with brick or pavers that suit the house. When a property is in a local historic district, we plan the work so it fits the commission's expectations.
What we see in Brookline
Hard mortar damage on old brick
Past repairs with hard cement mortar on soft historic brick are common. The brick then cracks and spalls around the joints. We remove the hard mortar carefully and repoint with a softer, compatible mix.
Garden and street walls on hilly lots
On Fisher Hill, Aspinwall Hill and other sloped areas, stone and brick walls hold back lawns and gardens. Roots and trapped water push them out of plumb. Rebuilding with drainage and reusing the original material keeps the look.
Brick stoops near busy sidewalks
Steps close to the sidewalk get salt from both sides. Loose treads and open joints are a trip hazard. Repointing, resetting treads or switching to granite treads solves it depending on how far gone the brick is.
Neighborhoods we cover in Brookline: Coolidge Corner, Brookline Village, Washington Square, Fisher Hill, Aspinwall Hill, Cottage Farm, Pill Hill, Longwood, Chestnut Hill, South Brookline.
How we serve Brookline
Brookline is roughly 6 miles from our Everett base. Most Brookline jobs are repairs on older brick and stone, so we start by checking the existing mortar and brick before recommending anything. On tight city lots we plan access, material drop-off and sidewalk safety up front.
What we can do for your Brookline home
- Brick & Granite StepsBrick, granite and bluestone steps repaired or rebuilt on a solid base, for Greater Boston homes.
- Chimney Repair & RebuildRepointing, new crowns and caps, flashing repairs and rebuilds above the roofline.
- Walkways & PatiosBrick and paver walkways, patios and borders built on a compacted, drained base.
- Retaining WallsBlock and stone walls with real drainage behind them, plus repair of walls that lean or bulge.
Masonry Contractor questions from Brookline homeowners
Brookline has seven local historic districts, including Cottage Farm and Pill Hill. Exterior changes in those districts are generally reviewed by the Preservation Commission. Repair with matching materials is often simpler. Check with the town before work starts.
For older, softer brick we use a mortar that is softer than the brick, so the joints take the wear instead of the brick faces. We match color and joint style as closely as possible.
Repointing is usually priced by the area and condition of the joints. A small set of steps is a modest job, while steps with loose or broken brick need more work. We give a free on-site estimate.
Usually, yes. We take the wall down, number or sort the stone, add a footing and drainage, and rebuild with the original material, adding matching stone only where pieces are broken.
Ready to get it fixed in Brookline?
Call or text (857) 335-0897 or request an estimate online.
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