Qualified Masonry Contractor in Athens GA - Brick and Stone Repairs That Fix the Cause
Keystone Athens Concrete and Masonry fixes crumbling mortar joints, cracked brick and leaning walls in Athens and nearby cities like Winder and Jefferson. We also rebuild worn chimneys on older brick homes and build retaining walls for yards that slope.
We repair worn brick and crumbling mortar, and build new walls, walkways, fireplaces and stone work, for homeowners across Athens and Clarke County.
Athens and Clarke County run as one government, the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, so the rules for work on your house come from the same county offices wherever you live in it. Across the county we see brick homes with joints that have weathered for decades, chimneys that take the worst of the rain, and yards where a wall or a walkway would make the ground easier to use.
People here spend plenty of time outside, at Sandy Creek Park around Lake Chapman or on the trails at Sandy Creek Nature Center that link to the North Oconee River Greenway, and the Lyndon House Arts Center keeps classes and rotating exhibitions going for all ages. It's a city where people like things made by hand, and that's the kind of brick and stone work we want you to stand back and look at when it's done.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free estimates at your property.
- Replies within 1 business day.
Why Athens homeowners call usThe owner, start to finish.
Got a wall, chimney or walkway on your mind? Ask me about it through our contact page.
Talk to the owner
You deal with me from the first visit on, and no question is too small to ask before you decide. Your estimate says what we'll do and why, in plain words.
Permits handled for you
When a job needs a permit, we take care of the application and the inspections with the city or county office for your address. You won't be left sorting out paperwork.
The cause, fixed first
We look for why the mortar crumbled or the wall moved before we repair it, so the fix isn't a patch over the same problem. I work alongside our crew to see it through.
Masonry contractor services in Athens, GA
Keystone Athens Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor in Athens, GA, offering 16 services, from repointing crumbling joints to building new walls, walkways and fireplaces. What a job costs usually comes down to how much old mortar or brick has to come out, how hard the wall is to reach, how closely older brick has to be matched, and what's behind the damage once we open it up. The schedule turns on the size of the job, any permit and its inspections, and weather good enough for mortar to set. Your own figure comes in a written estimate after I've seen the job.
Foundation repair
Cracks running through the brick or block under your house? We find out why the foundation moved first, then repair the wall to deal with that cause.
Chimney repair
For chimneys with loose bricks, open joints or a cracked crown, the cap on top, we repair the masonry so rain has fewer ways in.
Tuckpointing
What is tuckpointing? We cut out worn joints, refill them with mortar matched to the brick, and finish each with a fine line so the brickwork looks crisp.
Brick repair
Chipped, cracked or loose bricks get cut out and replaced with the closest match we can find, set in mortar suited to the rest of the wall.
Driveway pavers
We lay brick and concrete paver driveways over a packed gravel base made to carry the weight of cars, in patterns and colors that suit your house.
Retaining wall construction
Need to hold back a slope or level part of your yard? We build block and stone retaining walls with drainage behind them so water can get out.
Masonry restoration
Older brick and stone that's worn, stained or patched over the years gets repaired joint by joint and brick by brick until the wall works and looks right.
Fireplace installation
We build brick and stone fireplaces, from the firebox to the surround, for homeowners adding a fireplace or replacing one that's past repair.
Stone veneer installation
Want the look of stone without a full stone wall? We install stone veneer, a thinner facing stone, on walls, foundations and fireplace fronts.
Concrete block walls
We build concrete block walls for garden boundaries, garages and outbuildings, laid level and reinforced where the wall needs the strength.
Foundation block wall installation
Building an addition or a new home? We lay the block foundation walls it stands on, level and square, so the framing starts on a true base.
Outdoor kitchen masonry
We build the masonry for outdoor kitchens, grill islands, counters and bar bases in block, brick or stone, for homeowners who want to cook outside.
Walkway construction
From the driveway to your front door or out through the garden, we lay brick, stone and paver walkways on a packed base so they stay firm underfoot.
Brick wall installation
Thinking about a new brick wall? We build garden, screen and boundary walls in brick chosen to suit your house, with footings sized for the wall.
Stone masonry
We lay natural stone for walls, steps, columns and garden features, fitting each piece by hand for homeowners who want work with real weight to it.
Brick pointing
When mortar joints turn sandy or crack, we rake them out and refill them with mortar suited to your brick, so water stays out of the wall.
How a job goes with usFirst call to final walk-through
Get in touch
Call (706) 395-0746 or send the form, and we'll get back to you within one business day. Tell us what you've noticed, even if it seems small.
I come out
I come out to your home myself, look at the job with you and listen to what you've seen. Ask whatever you like, as many times as you need.
Your written estimate
I write up a free estimate for the work, and it comes with no obligation, so take the time you need to decide.
Permits and the work
Once you say yes, we take care of any permit the job needs, then our crew does the work with me on site alongside them.
The final walk-through
We walk the finished job with you, go over what we did and point out anything worth keeping an eye on as the years go by.
Brick, block and stone work
Masonry questions we hear in AthensAnswered plainly.
How much does masonry repair cost in Athens GA?
There isn't one price, because repointing a chimney and rebuilding a garden wall are very different jobs, so I give you a figure after I've looked at yours. The main things that move it are covered above in our services, and each service page goes into its own.
Is it cheaper to repair a brick wall or rebuild it?
Repair usually costs less when most of the brick is sound and the cause can be fixed, so that's where I start. Rebuilding makes sense when the wall has moved too far or the brick itself is breaking down, and I'll show you what I'm seeing either way.
How long does a masonry job take in Athens?
It depends on the size of the job, and I'll give you a fair picture once I've seen it, because a few loose bricks and a new retaining wall aren't close. Weather plays a part too, since mortar needs time and decent conditions to set, and a permit adds inspections to the schedule.
Is Keystone Athens Concrete and Masonry licensed and insured?
Yes, we're fully licensed and insured. In Georgia, residential contractors are licensed by the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors, and Athens-Clarke County asks contractors who need a state license to show it before issuing their business license. It's fair to ask any contractor you're considering about both.
How do you figure out why my mortar is crumbling?
I look at where the damage is, what's above it and how water moves across the wall before deciding on a repair. Some of it can't be known until the old mortar comes out, and I'll say so up front rather than guess.
Do you guarantee your masonry work in Athens?
Yes, every job we do is backed by our satisfaction guarantee. We walk the finished job with you so you can ask about anything you see before we pack up.
What kind of mortar do you use to repoint old brick?
We match the mortar to your brick, and on older brick that usually means a softer mix than modern mortar, so the joints wear before the brick does. Hard mortar in old, soft brick can make the brick faces crack and flake, which is one of the problems we see on older walls.
Who issues building permits in Athens GA?
The Athens-Clarke County Building Permits and Inspections Department issues building permits in Athens, and each structure in a project needs its own permit. When your job needs one, we take care of the application and the inspections for you.
About Keystone Athens Concrete and Masonry
I started Keystone Athens Concrete and Masonry in Athens in 2023, after learning brick and block work under an older mason and coming back to the trade because I missed building things that last. We're a masonry contractor best known for careful work on worn mortar and older brick, and for taking the time to explain what's going on with a wall. We're fully licensed and insured, and we offer 16 services across Athens and the cities around it. You can read more about me and our crew.
Tell us about the wall or project you have in mind
We'll get back to you within one business day, then I'll set a time to come out, look at the job with you and write up an estimate. There's no obligation to go ahead.
- Phone
- (706) 395-0746
- Location
- Athens, GA 30601
- Hours
- Mon–Fri: 8 AM–11 PM, Sat–Sun: 6 AM–10 PM
Where we work around Athens
Keystone Athens Concrete and Masonry is based in Athens, GA, and works across the cities around it, Jefferson and Winder among them. The five cities below have their own pages, and they aren't the only places we work, so call if yours isn't on the list.