Masonry contractor in Hiawatha, IA - careful brick and mortar work for your home
R&S Cedar Rapids Concrete & Masonry is a masonry contractor working in Hiawatha, IA. We replace worn mortar joints, repair chimneys and brick, and build block walls, walkways and retaining walls for homes here.
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Hiawatha homes, from older ranches to new builds
Hiawatha borders the north side of Cedar Rapids, where we're based, and on our visits it reads as a quiet, mostly residential city with shops and offices gathered along its main roads. Many streets are lined with ranch homes and split-levels from past decades, often with a brick front, a brick chimney and a block foundation. Newer neighborhoods toward the edges of the city bring fresh yards that still need walks, steps and low walls.
That mix decides how we approach a job here. On the older houses the work is about matching what's already there, so a repair blends in and the mortar wears before the brick does, and on the newer ones it's about getting the base and drainage right under something new.
What I've learned from working in Hiawatha
Permits in Hiawatha go through the city's Community Development Department at City Hall, which you can call at 319.393.1515 on weekdays from 7:30am to 4pm, so when a job needs a permit, the start date waits on the department. Before each job I contact them to learn what they require, and I tell you what I found and who will handle it. We're licensed and insured, and because the city permits each trade separately under the name of whoever does the work, you can see exactly who is responsible for yours. The price moves with how much brick, block or stone is involved, how far the damage goes and how easy the spot is to reach, and your written estimate sets out what I'd do and why so you can see where the cost comes from.
Hiawatha runs right into Marion on its east side, and the houses on either side of that line are much alike, so the same small crew and the same methods carry across. Many homes here sit on quiet streets just off the busier commercial roads, so we plan block and sand deliveries for times that keep your drive and the street clear for your neighbors.
What do Hiawatha houses need from a mason?
Most calls from the older parts of Hiawatha start with something the homeowner can see, like mortar that's sandy to the touch, a crack beside a downspout or loose brick near the top of a chimney. Mortar is meant to wear out before the brick around it, so worn joints after several decades are normal, but once they open up, water gets into the wall and starts working on the brick too. I look at where the water is coming from as well as at the joints, because new mortar won't hold for long under a leaking gutter or a cracked chimney top, and if some of the cracks can wait, I'll tell you so.
On newer properties the trouble is usually underneath, in a walk that has sunk or a garden wall leaning out because it was set on a thin base with no way for water to drain. We dig those out, pack a proper base and give water somewhere to go before a single block goes back down.
- Call (319) 536-8125
- Mon–Fri: 8 AM–10 PM, Sat–Sun: 7 AM–9 PM
- Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Masonry work we do in Hiawatha
Chimney repair
Older Hiawatha homes often have original brick chimneys whose top cap and roof flashing wear first. Our chimney repair rebuilds loose brick and seals the gaps letting water in.
Tuckpointing
Brick fronts on older Hiawatha ranches often have joints worn thin. We clear out the weak mortar and refill each joint with a mix that suits your brick.
Brick repair
Brick that's cracked or flaking near downspouts is common here. We swap in the closest match we can find and fix the water problem behind it.
Foundation repair
Block foundations under many Hiawatha homes crack or bow when water sits against them. We find the cause first, then repair the wall and what's pushing on it.
Walkway construction
Front walks on older Hiawatha streets often sink or tip where the base gave out. We dig out, pack a new base and lay brick, stone or pavers.
Retaining wall construction
Walls in newer Hiawatha yards usually fail from what's underneath. We build on a packed base with drainage behind so water can drain away from the wall.
What happens when you call us about a Hiawatha job
Call or send a message
Thank you for reaching out, and tell us a little about what you've noticed. We get back to you and set a time for me to come out to your home.
I come out and look
I walk the job with you, ask what you've seen and check what's causing the trouble, not only where it shows. Then I write up what I'd do and why, so you know what you'd be paying for before you decide anything.
We check with the city
Before work starts, we contact the city to learn what your job requires. I tell you what we found and who will handle any permit, so you know where things stand before the crew arrives.
We do the work, then tidy
I work alongside the same small crew, and at the end of each day we cover the work and leave the site tidy. Where the city inspects, the permit holder calls with 24 hours' notice before anything is covered up, and most inspections happen within one workday of the request.
Get a free estimate for your Hiawatha masonry job
Send the form or call, and we'll reply within one business day to set a time for me to come out to your Hiawatha home. I'll look the job over and write up what I'd do and why. The estimate is free, done on site and comes with no obligation.
- Licensed and insured.
- Phone
- (319) 536-8125
- Location
- Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
- Hours
- Mon–Fri: 8 AM–10 PM, Sat–Sun: 7 AM–9 PM
Questions about masonry work in Hiawatha
Do I need a permit for masonry work in Hiawatha, IA?
You may, because the city's permit questions page says permits are generally required for work that builds, alters, enlarges or tears down a structure, and its list includes repairs beyond minor, normal maintenance. Whether a smaller repair counts as maintenance is the city's call, so we ask about your job before we start and tell you what we learned.
How do I get a building permit in Hiawatha, Iowa?
You apply with the city, either in person on the main floor of City Hall or online through the permitting portal on the Community Development page. A permit expires if work hasn't started within 180 days, though the city may grant an extension for good reason if you ask in writing.
How much does masonry repair cost in Hiawatha?
There's no set price, because every wall and chimney is in a different condition, so I give you a figure in a written estimate after I've seen the work. Matching older brick and mortar color takes more care than new work, a chimney or tall wall needs safe access, and how much old mortar or failed base has to come out often isn't clear until the job is open. When a job needs a permit and inspections, that adds to the cost and the schedule as well.
What causes mortar joints to crumble on older brick homes in Hiawatha?
Usually it's age and water, with mortar that has worn for decades and water from a leaking gutter, a downspout or a chimney top getting into the joints. An earlier repair done with mortar harder than the brick can also make the brick beside it crack and flake. I find where the water is coming from first, because new joints won't last if that's left alone.
Can I run the gas line or wiring for my outdoor kitchen myself in Hiawatha?
You can if you live in and own the single-family home, but you still need a permit and the work has to meet all the codes that apply. Otherwise the city generally requires a licensed plumbing, mechanical or electrical contractor to get the permit and do that part. We build the masonry for the kitchen and talk through with you who handles the gas and wiring.
Which projects don't need a permit in Hiawatha?
The city exempts a short list of small jobs, such as residential sheds under 120 square feet, some low, unattached decks under 200 square feet, and replacing up to two windows and one exterior door in a year with similar units. Masonry work isn't named on that list, so check with the city before you start, as we do before every job.
Book a free estimate in Hiawatha today
Call (319) 536-8125 or send the form, and I'll be the one who looks at your job and then works on it alongside our crew, with satisfaction guaranteed on every job.
Request an estimateCall (319) 536-8125