Professional Brick Masonry Installation and Repair in Eastern Ontario

Brick Masonry Installation & Repair Services

Transform your home with professional brick masonry that combines timeless beauty with modern performance. Our residential services include:

Residential Installation

• Fireplace Installation: Custom brick fireplace surrounds, mantels, and hearths for both functional and decorative applications
• Chimney Construction: New brick chimney builds including proper flue installation, crowns, and flashing systems
• New Home Construction: Complete brick veneer, exterior installations for custom homes and subdivision projects
• Accent Walls & Features: Decorative brickwork for chimneys, entryways, and architectural focal points
• Custom Patterns & Designs: Running bond, stack bond, Flemish bond, and specialty patterns to match your vision
• Home Additions & Renovations: Expert brick matching and installation for seamless integration with existing structures

We work closely with homeowners, architects, and builders to ensure your brick installation meets your aesthetic goals while providing weather protection and energy efficiency.

Commerical Installation

Tibben Masonry partners with general contractors, developers, and property managers on commercial brickwork installations that meet architectural specifications and demanding project timelines. Our commercial expertise includes:

• Retail buildings and shopping centers
• Multi-family residential developments
• Office buildings and professional complexes
• Schools and institutional facilities
• Industrial and warehouse exteriors
• Mixed-use developments

We understand the importance of on-time delivery for commercial construction schedules. Our experienced crews work efficiently without compromising quality, ensuring your project stays on track and on budget.

Repair & Restoration

Even the highest-quality brickwork can develop problems over time due to weather exposure, settling, or moisture infiltration. Our brick repair services restore both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal:

• Fireplace Repair: Restore damaged fireboxes, repair cracked firebrick, rebuild hearths, and fix mortar joints to ensure safe and efficient fireplace
• Chimney Repair: Chimney restoration, including brick and mortar repair, crown replacement, flashing installation, and liner repair to ensure prevent water damage or structural issues.
• Cracked Brick Replacement: Remove and replace damaged bricks with matching units
• Spalling Brick Repair: Address surface deterioration caused by freeze-thaw cycles and moisture
• Tuckpointing & Repointing: Restore deteriorating mortar joints to prevent water infiltration
• Water Damage Remediation: Repair moisture-related damage and improve drainage systems
• Structural Settlement Repairs: Address cracks and gaps caused by foundation movement
• Efflorescence Removal: Clean and treat white salt deposits on brick surfaces

We begin every repair project with a thorough assessment to identify the root cause of the problem—not just the visible symptoms. This ensures lasting repairs that prevent future issues.

Emergency Brick Repair Services

When masonry emergencies strike, Tibben Masonry responds quickly to protect your property and safety. Our emergency brick repair services address urgent situations including:

• Bulging or bowing brick walls
• Falling or loose bricks
• Severe water infiltration and leaks
• Structural failures and collapse risks
• Storm damage and impact damage
• Sudden crack development

Don't wait when you notice warning signs like visible cracks widening, bricks becoming loose, water stains appearing behind walls tilting or bulging. These are serious safety hazards that require immediate professional attention.

Ontario Building Code Compliance

All brick masonry construction must meet Ontario Building Code requirements for structural safety and performance. Tibben Masonry ensures every brick installation complies with current code provisions including:

• Brick Veneer Requirements: Proper air space (minimum 25mm) between brick veneer and backing wall with adequate drainage and ventilation
• Wall Ties & Anchors: Corrosion-resistant metal ties or anchors installed at specified spacing to secure brick veneer to structural backing
• Mortar Standards: Type S or N mortar meeting ASTM standards appropriate for exposure conditions and structural requirements
• Flashing & Weep Holes: Through-wall flashing at critical locations with weep holes spaced per code to manage moisture drainage
• Lintel Support: Proper steel lintels or structural support over all openings with adequate bearing on each side
• Expansion Joints: Control joints and expansion joints placed at specified intervals to accommodate thermal movement and prevent cracking
• Fire Resistance: Masonry assemblies meeting required fire resistance ratings for specific building types and applications

Our Red Seal certified masons understand local building official requirements and maintain positive working relationships with inspectors across our service area.

Brick Masonry Cost Factors

Brick installation costs vary based on project scope, brick selection, and design specifications. Understanding these factors helps you budget accurately for your brick masonry project.

Primary Cost Influences:

• Brick Type & Quality: Standard clay bricks cost less than premium imported or specialty bricks; color and texture variations affect pricing
• Wall Area & Complexity: Larger wall surfaces require more materials and labor; intricate designs and patterns increase installation time
• Pattern & Bond Style: Simple running bond is most economical; Flemish bond, English bond, and custom patterns increase labor costs
• Site Access: Difficult access for scaffolding and material delivery increases labor time and equipment costs
• Mortar & Joint Finishing: Specialty mortar colors and decorative joint profiles (concave, flush, weathered) affect final pricing
• Structural Requirements: Wall ties, lintels, flashing systems, and reinforcement specifications impact material costs
• Existing Structure Matching: Matching historical or existing brickwork requires premium materials and specialized craftsmanship
• Seasonal Considerations: Winter construction requires protection measures that may affect costs

Typical Eastern Ontario Pricing (2025):

• Residential Brick Veneer: $25-$40 per square foot installed for standard clay brick on new construction
• Fireplace & Chimney: $4,000-$10,000 for complete brick fireplace and chimney installation
• Accent Walls & Features: $30-$50 per square foot for decorative brickwork with custom patterns
• Brick Repair (Tuckpointing): $10-$30 per square foot depending on extent of deterioration
• New Brick Installation (Full Replacement): $55-$65 per square foot for complete brick replacement
• Commercial Brick Installation: Custom pricing based on architectural specifications and project scale

All pricing estimates include standard specifications and materials. Your project may vary based on brick selection, design complexity, and site conditions. Contact Tibben Masonry for detailed, site-specific quotations.

What Sets Us Apart

Selecting the right masonry contractor makes the difference between a brickwork that lasts decades and one that requires costly repairs within a few years. Here's what sets Tibben Masonry apart:

40+ Years of Experience

Since establishing Tibben Masonry in 2013, we've built on more than four decades of hands-on masonry expertise. This depth of experience means we've encountered—and successfully solved—virtually every brick challenge that can arise:

• Complex architectural designs and custom installations
• Challenging site conditions and weather constraints
• Historic brick matching and restoration work
• Large-scale commercial and subdivision projects
• Emergency repairs and structural remediation

Experience matters in masonry. We understand how brick and mortar perform in different conditions, how to prevent common problems before they occur, and how to deliver installations that stand the test of time.

Bonded & Insured

Tibben Masonry carries comprehensive liability insurance and bonding to protect your property, your investment, and our team members. This coverage provides you with:

• Property ProtectionFull coverage for any accidental damage during construction
• Liability CoverageProtection against injuries or incidents on your property
• Financial SecurityBonding ensures project completion even in unexpected circumstances
• Peace of MindProfessional coverage that smaller, uninsured contractors cannot provide

Before hiring any masonry contractor, always verify they carry appropriate insurance and bonding. This protects you from significant financial risk if problems occur during your project.

Understanding brick masonry: What You Need to Know

Making informed decisions about your property starts with understanding how brick masonry works, how it differs from other construction methods, and what to expect from your installation.

Benefits of brick masonry

brickwork offers homeowners and commercial property owners significant advantages that make it one of the most popular exterior finish choices:

Durability & Longevity

• 50-100+ year lifespan with proper maintenance
• Excellent resistance to harsh weather, including freeze-thaw cycles
• Won't rot, warp, or deteriorate like wood siding
• Resists insect damage and mold growth

Low Maintenance Requirements

• No painting or staining required
• Minimal cleaning needs (occasional washing)
• Infrequent repointing (every 20-30 years typically)
• Color never fades or requires refreshing

Energy Efficiency

• Provides thermal mass that moderates temperature swings
• Air cavity allows for full-thickness modern insulation
• Reduces heating and cooling costs
• Blocks wind infiltration better than many siding materials

Fire Resistance

• Brick is a non-combustible material
• Provides superior fire protection compared to vinyl or wood siding
• May qualify for insurance discounts in some areas
• Creates a fire barrier between exterior and structural walls

Weather Protection

• Excellent resistance to rain, snow, and wind
• Protects underlying structure from moisture damage
• Cavity wall design allows water drainage
• Resists impact from hail and debris

Common Brick Problems

While bricks are exceptionally durable, certain issues can develop over time—especially in climates with significant freeze-thaw cycles, heavy precipitation, or foundation movement. Recognizing these problems early allows for timely repairs that prevent more extensive damage:

Cracked Bricks

• Causes: Foundation settlement, thermal expansion/contraction, impact damage, or excessive moisture
• Signs: Visible cracks running through individual bricks, often in a stair-step pattern
• Consequences: Water infiltration, accelerated deterioration, structural concerns if widespread
• Solution: Professional assessment to determine cause, crack repair or brick replacement as needed

Spalling Brick

• Causes: Water absorption followed by freeze-thaw cycles causing surface layer to flake off
• Signs: Brick surfaces peeling, flaking, or popping off; rough, deteriorated appearance
• Consequences: Progressive damage that worsens each winter; structural weakening
• Solution: Replace severely spalled bricks; improve drainage to prevent moisture accumulation

Deteriorating Mortar Joints

• Causes: Age, weathering, incorrect mortar mix, or excessive moisture exposure
• Signs: Crumbling mortar, gaps in joints, mortar easily scraped away with a tool
• Consequences: Water infiltration behind brickwork; loose bricks; potential wall failure
• Solution: Professional tuckpointing to remove deteriorated mortar and install fresh mortar

Efflorescence (White Staining)

• Causes: Water-soluble salts migrating through brick and crystallizing on surface
• Signs: White, powdery deposits on brick surface; often appears after rain
• Consequences: Primarily aesthetic but indicates water infiltration issues
• Solution: Clean deposits; identify and fix water source; improve drainage

Bulging or Bowing Walls

• Causes: Failed wall ties, structural movement, excessive moisture, or freeze-thaw pressure
• Signs: Visible outward movement of brickwork; gaps between brick and structure
• Consequences: Serious safety hazard; risk of collapse if not addressed
• Solution: Emergency professional assessment; structural repairs; wall tie replacement

Water Stains and Dampness

• Causes: Failed flashing, clogged weep holes, deteriorated mortar, or poor drainage
• Signs: Dark staining on brick; water marks on interior walls behind brick
• Consequences: Interior water damage; mold growth; structural deterioration
• Solution: Identify water entry point; repair flashing; clear drainage; seal as needed

Gaps Between Brick and Structure

• Causes: Foundation settlement, structural movement, or failed wall ties
• Signs: Visible separation between brickwork and building; cracks at corners
• Consequences: Loss of structural connection; increased risk of wall failure
• Solution: Professional structural assessment; wall tie repair or replacement