Masonry · Providence, Pawtucket & East Providence
Old brick, repointed the way it was laid.
Daniel Okafor — 16 years on the tools, now independent.
Fig. 1 — Setting granite coping
- Courses laid
- 41,000+
- Mortar mixes on the truck
- 5
- Years
- 16
- License
- RI Reg. 48217
What goes on the wall
Daniel quotes in person, with a sample brick in hand. No sub-crews.
- Repointing & tuckpointingCourse 01
- Chimney rebuildsCourse 02
- Brick & stone stepsCourse 03
- Retaining wallsCourse 04
- Walks & patiosCourse 05
The mortar match
We match the mortar before we touch the wall.
Hard mortar in soft brick is how old walls spall. Daniel cuts a sample joint, then mixes to the brick, not the bag.
- Lime putty1 lime : 3 sandPre-1900 brick
- Type O1 : 2 : 9Soft historic brick
- Type N1 : 1 : 6Most houses
- Type S1 : ½ : 4½Chimneys, below grade
- Buff tintN + iron oxideMatching 1920s mortar
The bond book
Five patterns. We can read every one of them on Providence streets.
Running bond
Most of the walls you walk past.
Flemish bond
Federal-era fronts on College Hill.
English bond
Mill walls. Headers every other course.
Herringbone
Walks and fireplace backs.
Basket weave
Patios that drain.
Elevation, Fox Point
Rebuilt to the old line.
Cut out the failed joints, salvaged what brick would come clean, and laid the rest back in a buff Type N.
Heard from the sidewalk
“He cut one joint and showed us the old mortar was lime. The new joints are the same color as the 1890 ones.”
Ruth A. · Providence · Repointing
“Took the chimney down to the roofline and rebuilt it with the old brick. Sent photos of the flashing before he left.”
Tom & Ines · Pawtucket · Chimney
“The granite step was reset level and the quote was the bill. He swept the sidewalk too.”
Lena K. · East Providence · Front steps
Example reviews