If you’re in the Greater Toronto Area and looking for a professional masonry contractor with years of experience and a track record of success, you’ve come to the right place. Cummins Restorations Inc. is a family-owned company that has been operating in the area for over 20 years. We work closely with every client to make sure they’re fully satisfied with the outcome, and we’re fully licensed and insured for all of our work.
We handle masonry repair in Toronto for both residential and commercial customers, having served hundreds of clients since we began in 1992. Some of our most notable clients include the late Ted Rogers, Starbucks, Bank of Nova Scotia and CIBC Bank.
Masonry repair challenges in Toronto
Toronto is home to some of the oldest and most architecturally significant brick housing stock in Canada, from Cabbagetown and the Beaches to Leslieville, Riverdale and the Annex. That heritage comes with a maintenance reality: century-old brick and mortar were made differently than modern materials, and repairing them wrong can do more damage than leaving them alone.
We know when a wall needs sensitive heritage restoration and when it needs straightforward brick replacement.
Heritage house restoration in Toronto
Many of Toronto’s older homes use lime-based mortar, which is softer and more flexible than the Portland cement mortar used in most modern construction. That isn’t a flaw. Lime mortar is meant to be slightly weaker than the surrounding brick, so it wears (and can be repaired) before the brick itself is damaged.
The most common and most damaging mistake in heritage brick repair is repointing an old lime-mortar wall with modern, high-strength Portland cement mortar. Because cement mortar is harder than the original brick, it forces the brick to absorb the stress of expansion and freeze-thaw cycling, which speeds up spalling and cracking instead of preventing it.
We assess mortar composition before we touch a heritage wall, and match repairs to the original material wherever possible, not just for appearance but for the long-term health of the structure.
Historical mortar matching
Getting mortar to match isn’t just about colour, although blending with the surrounding original mortar is part of it. It’s also about matching:
- Mortar composition. Lime-to-sand-to-cement ratios that suit the age and construction of the building
- Joint profile. The tooled shape of the joint (concave, flush, struck and so on), which varies by era and original craftsmanship
- Texture and aggregate. Sand type and size affect both appearance and how the mortar performs
We assess the existing mortar before recommending a repair mix, particularly on pre-war Toronto homes.
Masonry services we offer
Alongside our core services, our recent work includes:
- Tuckpointing and chimney repair
- Brick repair, including spalled and cracked brick
- Parging on foundation walls
- Rebuilt porch and gate pillars
- Flagstone and concrete steps
- Stone retaining walls
Spalling brick, where the face of the brick flakes away, can’t be repaired and needs replacing. We explain the causes on our brick repair page.
How our masonry process works
Having been in the industry for a long time, we’ve fine-tuned our process from beginning to end. You just need a clear picture of the result you want, and we’ll do the rest.
- Initial consultation. We discuss the goals of your project and your budget.
- On-site inspection. The only way to accurately assess the work is to inspect the site in person.
- Estimate provided. Before any work is done, we give you an accurate estimate, which you’re under no obligation to accept.
- Confirm appointment. If you’re happy with the quote, we arrange a date and time that suit you.
- Work carried out. A skilled professional arrives on time, does the work and cleans up afterwards.
We complete every job as though we were working on a friend or family member’s property, and we never compromise on quality.
Masonry restoration photos
Porch pillars rebuilt in red brick after the old ones were taken down.
Loose, broken flagstone steps on a garden slope, then rebuilt.
See more of our work in the project gallery.
What affects the cost of masonry repair?
Masonry projects vary a lot, so we quote after an on-site inspection. The main factors are:
- The size and type of the repair: pointing, brick replacement, rebuilding or restoration
- Whether the building is heritage and needs matched mortar and brick
- Height, access and any scaffolding needed
- The condition of the masonry behind the visible damage
- Residential or commercial scope
Before any work is done you’ll have an accurate estimate in writing, which you’re not obliged to accept.
Masonry Repair: frequently asked questions
Why does the type of mortar matter on an older home?
Older Toronto homes often have soft brick laid in lime mortar. Modern, hard cement mortar can damage that brick, so the repair mix is matched to the wall.
Do you work on commercial properties as well as homes?
Yes. We handle masonry for both residential and commercial customers.
Do you work with stone as well as brick?
Yes. Our recent work includes fieldstone and flagstone as well as brick.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Cummins Restorations is fully licensed and insured for all of the work we do.
How much does masonry repair cost in Toronto?
It depends on the scope and the building. After an on-site inspection we give you an accurate written estimate before any work starts.
When is the best time of year for masonry work?
Mortar needs temperatures above about 5°C while it cures, so most exterior masonry in Toronto runs from spring to late fall.
Related services
- Tuckpointing in Toronto
- Brick repair in Toronto
- Chimney repair in Toronto
- Parging in Toronto
- Masonry contractor in Scarborough
Read next: Save historic brick before autumn weather eats it away.
Get a free written estimate
Call us today to talk about your masonry project. Call (416) 992-7965 or send us the details through our contact page. Cummins Restorations Inc. is fully licensed and insured, and serves Toronto and the GTA from 25 Dunelm Street.
