Masonry Contractor in Colton, CA - Block and Brick Walls Built to Stay Put
Keystone Riverside Concrete and Masonry builds and repairs block walls, retaining walls, brick, chimneys, pavers and stonework in Colton, CA. We're a masonry contractor based in Riverside, CA, and the footing and steel behind the face come first.
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Colton masonry, old brick to new block
Colton gives us two kinds of work. The older streets have brick houses, brick chimneys and block walls from back when a footing was more of a suggestion. The newer tracts have long runs of block between yards, stucco fronts and concrete drives that are starting to crack. Some calls are about fixing the last guy's work and some are about building fresh, and I'd rather sort out which one you've got before we talk about anything else.
We're based in Riverside and work the cities around it, so Colton is close to home, just like Grand Terrace next door and Highland farther up the valley. On an older Colton lot, the real question is usually what's under the old wall or chimney, because that decides how much digging and tearing out comes before any new block goes up.
What we build and fix in Colton
Concrete block walls
Colton's tract yards are mostly fenced in block, and plenty of it is older than it looks. We replace tired runs and cap new ones to match.
Retaining wall construction
Sloped Colton lots need walls that actually hold the soil back. We put drainage behind our retaining walls so water doesn't build up and shove them over.
Stone veneer installation
Stucco fronts on Colton tract homes take stone veneer well. We set it on a sound backing so it stays on the wall, not in the flower bed.
Tuckpointing
Older brick in Colton often has mortar you can dig out with a key. We cut out soft joints and repoint with a mix that suits the brick.
Chimney repair
Older Colton chimneys usually go loose at the top first, with cracked crowns and missing mortar. We rebuild what's loose and leave what's still solid alone.
Driveway pavers
Cracked concrete driveways are a common call on older Colton lots. We lay pavers over a packed base so a sunken spot can be lifted and reset.
What Colton houses and ground ask of a wall
Colton's own safety plan names earthquake shaking as a particular concern, and the San Jacinto fault zone runs right through the city. Shaking goes looking for the weak spot in a wall, and that's usually a skimpy footing, hollow block with no steel in it or mortar that was mostly sand and optimism. So that's where our attention goes first, with a footing sized for the wall, steel set where the drawings put it and grout, the concrete that fills the block cells, poured solid around it. The nice cap goes on last, because nobody's impressed by a pretty cap on a wall lying in the yard.
Plenty of older walls here went up before anyone thought much about steel. When the footing is sound and the trouble is in the face, we repair it. When the footing has let go, I'll tell you it's a rebuild, because patching a wall that's still moving just buys you a nicer-looking crack.
A free written estimate for your Colton job
Call (951) 462-2880 or send the form, and we'll reply within one business day to set a time to come out to your Colton property. I look at the job myself and hand you a free written estimate on site, with no obligation to hire us. If you go ahead, a lead mason runs our crew on your job.
Colton masonry questions we hear
These are the questions Colton homeowners ask us about walls, permits and paying a contractor. If yours isn't here, call (951) 462-2880 or send the form and ask about your own job.
Do I need a permit to build a block wall or retaining wall in Colton?
Yes, Colton requires a building permit for all fences and walls, and for every retaining wall, whether it's new or being torn down. The Building & Safety Division issues the permit and takes questions about your project at (909) 370-5079, and the Planning Division handles how tall a wall can be and how far back it has to sit. When a job needs a permit, we pull it and schedule the inspections.
Does my masonry contractor need a Colton business license?
Yes, anyone doing work inside Colton city limits needs a City of Colton business license. It matters to you because the city won't give your building permit final approval until every contractor on the job holds one. Ask before you sign anything.
How much can a masonry contractor in Colton ask for up front?
No more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the total contract price, whichever is less. That's the rule from the Contractors State License Board, which licenses contractors in California. On a home improvement job, every other payment has to be listed in the contract and tied to work done or materials delivered, so you're never paying ahead of the work.
How much does a block wall cost in Colton?
The price of a block wall in Colton comes down to its length and height, the footing and steel under it, and whether an old wall has to come out first. A stucco finish, a cap or a stone face adds to it, and so does a tight side yard where we're carrying block in by hand. I come out, measure it and give you the number in writing.
How do I find out if my Colton lot is in a liquefaction area?
Start with the city's safety plan, which maps areas prone to liquefaction, where shaken ground can go soft, along the north and south banks of the Santa Ana River and in the Reche Canyon areas. If your house is near either one, tell us when you call. I check where the lot sits before we size a footing, and if a permitted wall there leaves questions, we ask the city before we start, not after.
How long does it take to build a permitted block wall in Colton?
Most of the wait on a permitted wall is usually the city's plan check and inspections, not laying the block. The Building & Safety Division checks plans and inspects the work against the state building codes and local ordinances, and the inspector usually wants to see the footing and steel before we pour. Once the permit is in, I'll tell you where your schedule stands, and our lead mason keeps the crew moving between inspections.
Block, brick and stone work
Other cities we work in
If your city has its own page, you'll find it listed here. If not, call (951) 462-2880 and ask, since we work in Riverside and the cities around it.