Foundation repair
When a basement wall shows a stair-step crack, a bow or water coming through, we find the cause first and repair the wall so it carries the house again.
Masonry contractor in Neenah, WI - careful mortar work for older brick and stone
Heritage Appleton Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Appleton that works on homes in Neenah, WI. We repair brick, stone, chimneys and foundations, and we build walls, walkways, driveways and fireplaces.
Heritage Appleton Concrete and Masonry works on houses across Neenah. We repoint crumbling mortar joints, repair brick and fix cracked foundations, chimneys and fireplaces. We also build retaining walls, walkways, paver driveways and stone veneer, using the mortar, base and material that suit the house and how the work will be used.
Masonry repair and building for Neenah homes
Most calls we get from Neenah start with something the homeowner noticed. It might be mortar that crumbles when you run a finger along the joint, a crack in the basement wall that looks wider than it did, or loose brick near the top of a chimney. I'd rather stand at that crack or joint with you and explain what's causing it than guess from a description.
Many of the houses we see here are older brick and stone, and that's the work we're best known for. Old walls need a gentler hand than new ones, so we match the mortar and the material to the house before we touch it. We work the same way in Appleton, Kaukauna and Little Chute.
- Based in
- Appleton, WI 54911
- Hours
- Mon–Sun: 6 AM–11 PM
Masonry services we offer in Neenah
Chimney repair
Loose or missing brick near the top, a cracked cap or mortar washing out of the stack all let water in, and we rebuild what's failing before it spreads.
Tuckpointing
When the joints are sandy or recessed but the brick is still sound, we grind out the old mortar and fill the joints with a mix that suits your wall.
Brick repair
When a few bricks have flaked or popped their faces, we cut them out and set matching brick in their place, so the repair doesn't stand out on the wall.
Driveway pavers
A paver driveway holds up when the ground underneath is dug and packed properly, so we build the base for the weight of cars before the first paver goes down.
Retaining wall construction
A sloped yard that keeps creeping toward the patio or sidewalk can be held with a retaining wall, built on a firm base with drainage behind it.
Masonry restoration
Older brick and stone fronts with years of patches, mismatched mortar or worn stone can be brought back carefully, keeping as much original material as the wall allows.
Fireplace installation
If you're adding a wood-burning fireplace or rebuilding one during a remodel, we build the firebox and surround in masonry suited to the heat it will see.
Stone veneer installation
Stone veneer can dress up a foundation, a chimney or a front entry, and we set it over a proper backing so water can drain out behind it.
Concrete block walls
Block walls work well for garages, screening walls and other sturdy structures, and we lay them on a footing sized for the load they'll carry.
Foundation block wall installation
When a foundation wall needs replacing or a new one is going in, we lay it in block on a solid footing, reinforced where the design calls for it.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
For a grill station or outdoor kitchen, we build the base and counters in block, brick or stone that can take heat, grease and years outdoors.
Walkway construction
A front walk that heaves, cracks or holds puddles usually has a base problem, so we dig it out and rebuild the walk on a packed base.
Brick wall installation
New brick walls, from garden walls to additions on a house, are laid with brick and mortar chosen to sit well beside what's already there.
Stone masonry
Natural stone walls, steps and foundations need a mason who reads each stone, and we lay or repair them with a mortar that suits the stone.
Brick pointing
When only some joints have worn back, pointing those areas with matching mortar is often a smaller, sensible job than redoing the whole wall.
Get a free estimate for your Neenah masonry project
Tell us what you're seeing and where your house is in Neenah, and we'll reply within one business day. I'll come out to look at the job myself and write down what we'd do and why. The estimate is free, and there's no obligation.
(920) 454-9038What to know before masonry work starts in Neenah
In Neenah, building permits come from the city's Inspection Department, and it says the easiest way to learn whether your project needs one is to call 920-886-6130. When a job does need a permit, work waits until it's issued, so that step becomes part of the schedule. The application lists the contractor's contact information and project costs for every trade, so you'll see whose name stands behind the job.
We check with the department before any work starts, because whether a job needs a permit is their call, not ours. If yours does, we pull it ourselves and keep the paperwork in order. We're licensed and fully insured, and we handle Neenah jobs the same way we do in nearby Menasha and Fox Crossing.
The price of masonry work usually turns on how much has to come out, how hard the wall is to reach and how closely new brick, stone or mortar has to match the old. Some damage only shows once a joint or wall is opened. The schedule turns on the permit, the size of the job and getting matching material in. The written estimate sets out what we'd do for your house and why.
How we work on your house, start to finish
I started this business in 2013 after learning masonry under experienced masons around Appleton. I come out to look at your job myself, and our crew of experienced masons does the work while I check it as it goes. That way, the person who wrote down what we'd do is also the one making sure it gets done that way.
We're best known for careful mortar work on older brick and stone, and I care that each job suits the house it's on, with the right mortar, the right base and the right material for how it will be used. If a smaller repair will do, I'll say so and explain why, rather than sell you more than your house needs.
We're licensed and fully insured, and our work is satisfaction guaranteed. If someone else has already quoted a crack or a wall and you'd like a second opinion, I'm glad to give you an honest one. Call (920) 454-9038 or use our contact form, and thank you for considering us.
What Neenah houses ask of masonry work
These are the things that most often shape a masonry job on a Neenah property, from older brick near the water to foundations, chimneys and the mortar that holds it all together.
Historic houses by the water
The city describes the historic mansions near downtown, along Lake Winnebago and the Fox River, as an architectural walking tour. Houses of that age, and the older homes around them, call for repairs that respect the original brick and stone. We take our time matching mortar color and texture, so a repair blends into the wall instead of standing out as a patch.
Soft brick and hard mortar
Older brick is often softer than the mortar sold for new walls. When a hard joint sits against soft brick, the brick takes the stress and starts to crumble while the mortar holds. That's why we look at the brick before choosing a mix, and why a quick repointing job with the wrong mortar can cost a house more than it saves.
Foundations and basement walls
Basement walls show their trouble as cracks, damp spots, white powder on the block or a wall that leans inward. Not every crack is serious, and I'll tell you which ones I'd watch and which need work now. When a repair is needed, we find where the water or pressure is coming from first, because patching a crack without fixing the cause rarely lasts.
Chimneys show it at the top
Chimneys take water from the top down, so trouble usually starts at the cap and the upper rows of brick. Loose brick, open joints or stains on an inside wall near the chimney are worth having looked at. Fixing the top early usually keeps the job small, before water has a chance to work its way down the stack.
Questions Neenah homeowners ask about masonry work
Do I need a permit for foundation repair in Neenah, WI?
Yes, the Neenah Inspection Department's list of common improvements that need permits includes foundation repair or replacement. When your job needs one, we pull the permit ourselves and keep the paperwork in order before work starts. We plan around the permit, so you know where it fits in the schedule.
Does tuckpointing need a permit in Neenah?
The Inspection Department decides, and its guidance says repair work such as re-siding may not require a permit unless it involves structural items. Tuckpointing isn't on the city's list of common permit work, but the department asks you to check before starting because that list may not be all inclusive. We confirm with them before any work begins.
Do I need a permit to put in a fireplace in Neenah?
Yes, fireplaces are on the Inspection Department's list of common improvements that need permits, including wood, gas and pellet stoves. If your project includes one, we pull the permit ourselves. The department issues one permit to the applicant covering construction, electrical, HVAC and plumbing, which helps when a fireplace remodel involves more than one trade.
How do I apply for a building permit in Neenah, WI?
You apply through the city's online permit portal, where all of Neenah's permit applications are available. Each application asks for contractor contact information and project costs for all trades. When we're doing the work and a permit is needed, we handle the application ourselves, so you don't have to fill it out.
How much does masonry repair cost in Neenah?
Your cost depends on the size of the job, how much old mortar or brick has to come out, how hard the area is to reach and how closely new material has to match the old. A chimney top or a tall wall takes more setup than a low garden wall. I'll look at it in person and write down what we'd do and why.
How should I get my house ready for a masonry repair?
Clear a few feet along the wall we'll be working on, move cars if we'll need the driveway, and keep pets inside while we're grinding and mixing. If you have spare brick or records of past repairs, set them aside, because they help us match what's already there.
How soon can a masonry job start in Neenah?
The start date depends on whether a permit is needed, how big the job is and whether matching brick or stone has to be ordered. Once I've seen the job, I'll explain what each of those means for your schedule before you decide anything.
Describe your Neenah project and address
Telling us what you've noticed and where it is on the house lets me come out ready to look at the right spot, so call (920) 454-9038 or use our form.