Foundation repair
We find what's moving the foundation before we fix the crack, because patching a crack in a wall that's still shifting just means a new one opens beside it.
Masonry Contractor in Pine Bluff, AR - Brick and Mortar Repairs That Match
Capstone Little Rock Masonry & Concrete repairs and builds brick, block, stone and concrete work for homes in Pine Bluff, AR, from repointing worn joints on older brick houses to new walls, walkways and outdoor kitchens.
What masonry work looks like in Pine Bluff
We're a masonry contractor based in Little Rock, AR, and Pine Bluff is one of the cities we work in across central Arkansas, along with places like Benton and Ward. Plenty of the houses here are older brick, and repointing and repair on homes like that, where the whole job is matching what's already there, is what we're best known for.
Heat shapes our work here more than anything. One recent monthly report from the National Weather Service for Pine Bluff counted 24 days at 90 degrees or hotter when about 11 is normal, and no rain at all when a little over 3 inches is normal. Mortar that dries that fast doesn't cure right and can crack or pull away from the brick, so we keep it damp and covered, and on the worst stretches we'd rather start early than lay brick in the afternoon sun. Dry spells like that also pull moisture out of the ground under a house, which is often when a crack in a brick wall or foundation first shows up.
What moves the price is how much brick or joint needs work, how hard the old brick and mortar are to match, and how high or tight the spot is, like a chimney. The schedule mostly turns on the weather, on tracking down matching brick, and on any permit needed before we start. I'll look at it in person and write up what we'd do and why, so you've got your own answer instead of a guess.
I come out to every job
I look at every job in person and then work it alongside our crew, so the person who studied your brick and mortar is the one making sure the repair matches.
Permits checked before we start
Before work starts, we check with the office that covers your address. In Jefferson County the Environmental Office issues permits under county road and land use codes, and we apply when one's needed.
Licensed and insured in Arkansas
We're fully licensed and insured. Residential contractors here come under a committee of the state Contractors Licensing Board, which sits within the Department of Labor and Licensing.
Masonry and concrete work we do in Pine Bluff
Chimney repair
We repair cracked caps and loose brick at the top of the chimney and repoint the joints below, since the top few feet take the worst of the weather.
Tuckpointing
We grind out crumbling mortar joints and pack in new mortar matched to the old color and strength, so the repair blends in and moves with the brick instead of fighting it.
Brick repair
We replace cracked, chipped or flaking brick one at a time, hunting down used or new brick that matches the size and color of what's already on your house.
Driveway pavers
We dig out, lay and compact a gravel base before setting pavers, because a driveway that carries cars is only as level as the base underneath it.
Retaining wall construction
We build retaining walls with drainage gravel and a drain pipe behind them, since water trapped behind a wall is what usually makes it lean or crack.
Masonry restoration
On older brick and stone homes we clean, repoint and replace damaged pieces with materials that match, aiming for a wall that looks like the original, just sound again.
Fireplace installation
We build brick and stone fireplaces with the firebox, hearth and clearances to the framing laid out first, because those details matter more for safety than the face anyone sees.
Stone veneer installation
We put stone veneer, a thin facing of real or cast stone, over a proper backing and weather barrier, so water that gets behind it has a way to drain out.
Concrete block walls
We lay block walls on a solid footing with steel and grout in the cores where the wall needs strength, for garden walls, sheds and property lines.
Foundation block wall installation
We lay foundation walls in block for additions, garages and crawlspaces, keeping every row level and plumb so the framing that sits on top starts square.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build the brick, block or stone base for grills, counters and smokers, leaving room for gas lines and vents before the finish goes on.
Walkway construction
We build walks in brick, stone, pavers or concrete, sloped slightly away from the house so rain runs off instead of pooling against your foundation.
Brick wall installation
We build new brick walls, from garden and privacy walls to additions, and match the brick and mortar to your house when it needs to look like it was always there.
Stone masonry
We set natural stone for walls, steps and columns, fitting each piece by hand so the joints stay tight and the weight sits on the stone, not the mortar.
Brick pointing
When joints are just starting to wear, we fill and shape fresh mortar into them, and I'll tell you plainly if yours can wait another few years.
Get a free on-site masonry estimate in Pine Bluff
Send the form and we'll reply within one business day. I'll come look at the work in person and write up what we'd do and why, free and with no pressure to book.
Tell us what you're seeing
A crumbling joint, a crack or a wall you've been putting off is plenty to start with. A line about where it is on the house helps me know what to look at first.
A written plan you can follow
The write-up says what we'd repair, what can wait and why, and I'm happy to walk you through it twice before you decide anything.
Call after work or on weekends
Our phone hours run 7 AM to 11 PM on weekdays and 6 AM to 10 PM on weekends, so you can reach us at (501) 274-1083 after work.
Pine Bluff masonry questions on permits and codes
Straight answers to what people around Pine Bluff ask about permits, codes and flood maps before masonry work starts.
Who handles floodplain permits near Pine Bluff?
Jefferson County's Office of Emergency Management gives out information and permits for floodplain development, which means building on land that can flood, and you can reach it at 870-541-5470. If your lot sits low or near water, we check with the office that covers your address before work starts and apply for any permit the job needs.
Which building and fire codes does Arkansas use for home masonry work?
Arkansas uses the International Fire Code, Building Code and Residential Code, brought together as the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code and amended and adopted by the State Fire Marshal. For a house, the residential code is where the rules for things like fireplaces and chimneys sit, so that's the book we work from on a new fireplace or chimney.
Where can I look up flood hazard maps for my Pine Bluff property?
FEMA keeps flood hazard tables for Arkansas that you can search by community and county name. They show where effective, preliminary and work map data exist, which are the stages a flood map goes through, so you can see what kind of map covers your area. If your lot shows up in a flood area, mention it when you call.
Can you match the mortar on an older brick house in Pine Bluff?
Usually, yes, and it's the work we're best known for. I look at the color, the sand and how hard the old mortar is, then we mix test batches and let them dry before we commit, because mortar looks darker wet than it does cured. On older brick we go softer, not stronger, since hard mortar can crack the brick around it.
Cities where we do masonry work
Pine Bluff is one of the cities with its own page here, and these are the others. If your city isn't listed, call or send the form and ask.
Get the crack or joint looked at
Call (501) 274-1083 or send the form, because a joint caught early is usually a smaller repair than one that's let water in all season.