Category Archives: Brick Restoration

13
Feb
Is It Too Cold For Masonry Repairs?
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Is It Too Cold For Masonry Repairs?

Many people in Toronto, Hamilton and the surrounding areas wait until the spring season has undoubtedly arrived to turn their attention to home repairs. However, living in southern Ontario means that we often have warm weather spells throughout the winter. If you have a small masonry repair such as a chimney repair, a few bricks to replace or some tuckpointing to be done, you may want to reach out to Wilkens Masonry and have the work done before the rush of the warmer months.

Does Temperature Matter?

For mortar to be mixed, you add water to a mixture of sand and masonry cement. If the temperature is below zero, it means that the water can freeze and the mortar will not be able to “cure” properly (this is the chemical process by which mortar and concrete become hard. Sometimes, in a pinch, you can add a liquid that speeds up the curing process and allows the mortar to be worked with at colder temperatures. However, this can alter the look of the mortar and make it harder to do aesthetic work. Speaking to the masonry estimator can help you determine what course of action to take and weather or not the brick replacement, tuckpointing, chimney repair, parging or other masonry repair needs to be done.

Are Masonry Companies Open Throughout The Winter?

While we cannot speak for the responsiveness of other Toronto and Hamilton based masonry restoration companies, Wilkens is open year round. We will come out and take a look at the work you may need done and provide an honest opinion on the importance and process of the project. If it’s too cold we will let you know and we will help find a solution to ensure you are well taken care of.

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.

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.

 

 

21
Dec
Getting Ahead Of The Spring Masonry Rush
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Getting Ahead of the Spring Masonry Rush

It’s the holidays here in Ontario and it’s a time to be with family, eat lots of food and try and regenerate before the new year arrives. The last thing you want to think about is repairing your home. However, there is  a big plus side to having a look around your home now, and finding a company who can slot you in first thing in the spring for some masonry repairs such as tuckpointing or repointing, brick replacement and chimney restoration.

Slow Season

The winter time is the “slow season” for most masonry restoration companies. Mortar requires certain temperatures to cure (chemically harden) properly, so most companies hibernate throughout the winter. This is the time that a company, such as Wilkens Masonry, would be more than happy to come and give you a free estimate. We can outline work to be done the moment we have a warm spell and spring has sprung.

Why the Rush?

When spring begins, and almost everyone performs their home inspection to see what they need to get done, Wilkens will be flooded with calls and all of a sudden find ourselves with a six to eight week backlog of jobs to deliver. This is a great problem to have for us, however we all know that once the weather starts getting warmer, and the weekend plans start piling up, the necessary repairs to your home can get forgotten and lost in the shuffle. All of a sudden you find yourself at the end of the year again trying to find someone to squeeze you in.

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
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.

30
Mar
Creating Brick Openings For Windows and Doors
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New and Old Brick Openings

Old houses often need to have their windows upgraded, and brick openings are generally in need of updates to allow for new, modern, high-efficiency windows to be installed. Many older houses in Toronto, Hamilton and the GTA have brick arches above their windows which was the original way bricklayers would structure a wall to allow for support above the area where the bricks are absent. Nowadays, we use steel lintels to support the weight. They are much easier to install than brick arches and result in less trim work for the window installers to complete around the window after it has been installed. The arch is often considered more aesthetic as it has a traditional masonry look, but the clean and sharp lines of steel lintel-supported brick openings have a modern masonry appeal. 

The Process

When altering a masonry opening on a house and changing the existing arch to a flat, steel lintel, the difficulty is in supporting the bricks above while you install the new support. We often use jack-posts and wedges which give us enough room to work. Once we have laid enough bricks on the lintel and the new mortar has hardened to offer support, we remove the posts and put on the finishing touches.

While some people want the brick arch to be recreated, which is something we can most definitely do, it takes quite a bit more time and, of course, more cost. We have to figure out a way to keep the original look but expand the arch further or contract it smaller so that the new window can fit seamlessly.

Working Together

At Wilkens, we have done both new brick-arched lintels and steel lintel installations hundreds of times and can be relied on to deliver the work you need to update your home and provide you with a sound and stable opening for your new windows.

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.

 

15
Jun
Best Season For Masonry Repair In Toronto
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Best Season For Masonry Repair In Toronto

With summer quickly approaching, now is the time to think about the construction or repairs that your home is in dire need of. Have the long winter months of harsh snowstorms and onslaught of ice caused damage to your chimney? Maybe the melting snow caused water damage of your bricks that have created an aesthetically unappealing facade? Whatever the reason you are in need of high-quality masonry work, summer is the best season for masonry repair in Toronto. At Wilkens Contracting, our mission is to deliver nothing but the best brick repair services in the area! To learn more about our company, and how we can help you this upcoming summer season, take a look below.

Longer Days, Sunnier Skies

You might notice the copious amounts of road work and construction that takes place in the Toronto area, and across Ontario, when the warm months come sweeping in. The spring and summertime provide the best weather to complete construction and repair jobs successfully, on time and with beautiful results. As the nature of this job consists of being outdoors, the boon of longer daylight hours, clearer skies, and warmer weather that summer provides, means a more substantial amount of work can be completed in a day, providing faster results for you.

Why Hire Us?

As a fully licensed and insured family business, we strive to treat every customer as if they were a family member themselves. Our mission is to provide the highest quality services we can, ensuring that the job you hire us for is done on time and to your satisfaction. With over five decades of experience working in the Greater Toronto Area, we have the knowledge, skill, and expertise to facilitate repairs on chimneys, fireplaces, facades, and much more! We possess a vast inventory of bricks of all kinds, with mortar to match any colour used in Toronto homes, so our masonry repairs will seamlessly blend into your home’s aesthetic, showing no signs that you required repairs in the first place!

Schedule Today

With summer quickly approaching, now is the time to inquire about our free masonry estimates. With the best season for masonry repairs in Toronto upon us, secure our professional expertise before we become fully booked up! Whatever brick related services you require, we here at Wilkens Contracting can help!

Please click here to find our contact information online, and schedule your free estimate before it’s too late!

 

 

 

10
Jun
Hire A Brick Repair Company In Toronto
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Hire A Brick Repair Company In Toronto

To perform professional brick repair, and have the results come out aesthetically pleasing and satisfying to the homeowner, we at Wilkens Contracting ensure only the highest quality of materials are used, using tried and true techniques, while paying attention to the smallest of details, all to facilitate seamless masonry work. If you are looking to hire a brick repair company in Toronto that can provide all of this and more for your home, then consider hiring our team of professional! To learn more about our services, and why you should choose our company for your brick-related needs, please continue to read below.

Match Your Material

By hiring Wilkens Contracting and our team of professionals, you aren’t just securing yourself over fifty years of experience in the industry, but you’ll gain access to our inventory stocked full of new and antique bricks that will match the aesthetic of your home. Colour, size, and texture all matter when choosing the material to achieve seamless brick repair in walls, chimneys, and the like. Our inventory doesn’t have what you’re looking for? No matter, we can provide brick and mortar tinting of our modern masonry materials to achieve the look you desire.

Knowledge Of Old

We not only bring decades of our experience to the table, but we use techniques and skills that have been developed through centuries of use. Masonry is an age-old profession, as Masons have been hired to construct buildings that far outlast the hands that build them. By using artistic, scientific, and architectural knowledge gathered through hundreds of years of developmental use, we have perfected our twenty-first-century services to provide aesthetically pleasing brick repair to the Greater Toronto Area.

Hire Our Services

From tuck pointing and brick restoration to chimney and fireplace repairs and rebuilds, our company can perform an array of masonry jobs that will have your home looking as good as new. If you notice your brickwork is Spalding, we can fix that problem in no time. Has your chimney or fireplace fallen into disrepair because of environmental damage or disuse? We can easily get the job done! Want to add a window or door to your brick wall? Give us a call!

So when you are looking to hire a brick repair company in Toronto, consider enlisting our help at Wilkens Contracting, as we have the expertise and the required tools for any masonry job in the area!

Please click here to find our contact information online, and inquire more about our services, or schedule a free estimate today!

05
Jun
Toronto Services For Brick Openings
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Toronto Services For Brick Openings

Owners looking to make changes to their homes, whether it be creating an opening in their brick wall, or closing off one instead, we here at Wilkens Contracting can provide masonry services to get the job done! We service the Greater Toronto Area and are happy to visit your home for a free estimate. Therefore, those looking for Toronto services for brick openings should consider enlisting the help of professionals, like our experienced contractors at Wilkens Contracting. Find out more about our masonry services below!

Professional Expertise

With so many how-to videos and websites, the internet is a treasure trove of knowledge that can help you create, repair, and build a multitude of things on your own. This a great development for doing small jobs around the house, but when it comes to more substantial repairs and rebuilds, it’s sometimes best to leave the work to professionals. If you are considering creating a brick opening in your home, why not enlist our help our professional services here at Wilkens Contracting that will keep your home structurally sound, and those within, safe from harm.

Our Services At Work

Choosing to work with our company means securing yourself a team that has decades of experience in the construction industry, with the knowledge and know-how to complete any masonry job you require of us. We will ensure the structural soundness of the opening, and complete all masonry work to have your new window or door looking like it always belonged in your home. As we have the utmost respect for our clients, we will always clean the area in which we are working. We’ll make sure the place is spotless before we leave, so you don’t have to worry about anything else except enjoying your new addition to the home.

Free Estimate

Finding Toronto services for brick openings for your home can be a quick and efficient fix when you hire professional like us at Wilkens Contracting. We have been faithfully servicing the Greater Toronto Area since 1977, and completing all masonry jobs to the full satisfaction of our clients! Our company offers a free estimate for individuals looking to hire masonry services for brick repairs, openings, and much more, providing transparent pricing for all potential clients.

Please click here to find our contact information online, and inquire more about our expertise, or schedule your free estimate surrounding your brick openings today.

03
May
Trusted Brick Repair In Toronto
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Trusted Brick Repair In Toronto

Did you know bricks are considered one of the most durable building products on earth, as they can withstand extreme temperature changes, and have been used to construct shelters since before 7500 BC? With a long history of use, enduring thousands of years of technical innovations and architectural breakthroughs, this building material is still being used today because of its strength and resilience. Even when crumbling, the right repair services can help keep bricks stable, and structures strong, therefore, if you are in need of trusted brick repair in Toronto, think Wilkens Contracting.

Industry Experience

Our fully licensed and insured family based company has been in the business or repairing and rebuilding brick structures since 1977. With decades of experience facilitating successful jobs in the GTA, our company is well equipped to provide you with the quality services you and your home need to revitalize the life of your bricks and keep your structure strong. With our expertise, we will make sure every project is completed successfully, on time and within budget, to produce a finished product you can be happy with.

Extensive Knowledge

No job is too big or too small for us, as we have the knowledge and know-how to get any job done right. If your bricks are crumbling apart, or spalling, we have the expertise to facilitate quality tuckpointing services, restoring the aesthetic of your bricks, and blending the new work with the old, for a unified look. We can also build and rebuild structures if you are thinking about redesigning, as well as place new openings, whether windows or doors, into the wall.

The Perfect Match

We offer an extensive inventory of quality bricks of all types, so we can easily match our bricks to yours, to create a unified whole. With a vast collection of new and antique bricks, our products can match an array of bricks that have been used across the GTA to build Toronto homes for many years. No need to let the world know you have had repairs done on your home with bright patchwork and noticeable updates. Instead, enlist our professional services, and the integrity of your structure will be strengthened, and the aesthetic improved, with none the wiser!

So if you are looking for a contracting company that can facilitate trusted brick repair in Toronto, then consider working with us here at Wilkens Contracting.

Please click here to find our contact information online, and let us know how we can help you today!

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