Loading...
Serving Santa Clara, CA and surrounding areas. (669) 326-6241
From foundation repair to chimney work, brick pointing to retaining walls - we handle the masonry problems Santa Clara homeowners deal with every season.
SCM Santa Clara Masonry is a licensed masonry contractor based in Santa Clara, CA, serving homeowners across the Bay Area with 16 core services. We fix the problems that let water in, compromise your foundation, or make your property look worn down - and we build new structures that last for decades. From chimney repair on older homes to retaining walls and outdoor kitchens, our crews have handled it across 12 cities in the region.
Cracks in your walls or doors that stick? Shifting soil beneath your home can be fixed before the damage gets worse.
Learn More
Crumbling mortar, damaged liners, or a missing cap put your home at risk. We restore chimneys so they work safely again.
Learn More
Gaps in the mortar between your bricks let in water every winter. Tuckpointing seals those gaps before real damage sets in.
Learn More
Spalling bricks, hollow spots, or diagonal cracks are not just cosmetic. We fix the problem at the source.
Learn More
Cracked or uneven driveway? A paver driveway adds curb appeal and handles heavy use for decades.
Learn More
Sloped yard losing soil after every rain? A properly built retaining wall stops erosion and reclaims usable space.
Learn More
Older brick and stone structures can be brought back to their original appearance and strength.
Learn More
A masonry fireplace adds lasting value and a warm focal point you will enjoy for years.
Learn MoreReach out by phone or through our contact form. We will ask a few basic questions about your home and what you are seeing. You do not need to diagnose the problem yourself - that is what we are here for. We respond within 1 business day.
We come to your property, look at the damage in person, and take the time to understand what caused it - not just what it looks like. You will receive a written estimate that explains what we found, what we recommend, and the total cost. No vague line items.
Once you approve the estimate, we pull any required permits, schedule the crew, and get started. We handle the city inspection coordination for permit-required jobs. When the work is done, we walk you through everything before we leave.
We hold a valid California contractor's license through the CSLB - the state agency that sets the standards for masonry work. We carry general liability insurance on every job, so if something unexpected happens on your property, you are covered.
We are a local business serving our own community. We know Santa Clara's soil conditions, the earthquake risk near the Hayward Fault, and the permit process at the City of Santa Clara Building Division. That local knowledge shapes every estimate we write.
We come to your property, look at the actual problem, and give you a written estimate with itemized costs. You will know exactly what you are paying for before any work begins. There is no pressure and no time limit on your decision.
Unpermitted structural work creates real problems when you sell your home or file an insurance claim. We pull every permit the city requires, coordinate the inspection, and hand you the documentation when the job is done. Your investment is protected on paper.
Ready to get started? Call (669) 326-6241 or send us a message.
Our chimney had been leaking into the attic for two winters before we called SCM. They came out the same week, found the cracked liner, and had it fixed before the next rain hit. The city inspection passed without any issues.
Marcus T., San Jose - Chimney repair
I noticed diagonal cracks in our living room wall after a small earthquake and figured I should get it looked at. The crew found that the mortar on our front retaining wall was failing too - something I had not even noticed. They fixed both jobs in two days and the pricing was fair.
Linda R., Santa Clara - Retaining wall construction
We had tuckpointing done on our 1960s home. The contractor matched the mortar color perfectly - you cannot tell where the new mortar is unless you know where to look. They also let us know about a section near the garage that we should watch over the next year.
James O., Sunnyvale - Tuckpointing
We respond within 1 business day. There is no obligation to proceed after your estimate - it is simply information so you can make a confident decision. After you submit the form, someone from our office will call you to schedule a free on-site visit.
(669) 326-6241SCM Santa Clara Masonry is based in Santa Clara and serves homeowners across 12 cities in the Bay Area, including San Jose, Sunnyvale, Fremont, Oakland, and Berkeley. Most jobs are scheduled within the same week of your estimate visit. If you are outside this list, call us and we will let you know if your location is covered.
Those white streaks are called efflorescence - mineral deposits left behind when water passes through the masonry and evaporates. It means water is moving through your wall somewhere it should not be. The stain itself is not dangerous, but the underlying moisture path needs to be sealed before the damage compounds. TheBrick Industry Association has detailed guidance on identifying and addressing moisture in masonry.
Even moderate Bay Area tremors can loosen mortar joints, crack chimney liners, and shift bricks slightly - without leaving obvious exterior signs. Homes near the Hayward and San Andreas faults face this stress regularly. A post-quake inspection is one of the most practical steps Santa Clara homeowners can take after any notable shaking.
Mortar cures best in dry conditions above 40 degrees. Santa Clara's late summer and early fall window - August through October - is ideal. It is dry enough for proper curing and gives the mortar time to fully harden before the November rains arrive. Avoid scheduling outdoor masonry work during heavy rain periods.
Small cosmetic repairs - patching mortar joints, replacing a few bricks - typically do not. Structural work does: foundation repairs, chimney liner replacements, retaining walls over a certain height, and load-bearing wall modifications all require a City of Santa Clara building permit. Your contractor should know the line and handle the application.
Homes built before the 1970s have softer brick that needs a softer mortar. If a contractor uses a hard modern mortar mix on older brick, the mortar becomes stronger than the brick - and the brick cracks. This is one of the most preventable and costly masonry mistakes. According to theNational Park Service Preservation Briefs, mortar compatibility is the single most important factor in long-term brick wall performance.
A properly done repair using the right mortar and materials should last 20 to 30 years or more. In Santa Clara's climate - mild enough to avoid hard freeze-thaw cycles - masonry holds up well. The main factors that shorten a repair's lifespan are the wrong mortar type, poor joint preparation, or work done in wet or cold conditions.
SCM Santa Clara Masonry is a licensed and insured masonry contractor based in Santa Clara, CA, serving homeowners across 12 Bay Area cities since 2025. We hold a California contractor's license issued by the California Contractors State License Board, the state authority that sets standards and verifies qualifications for masonry and general construction work throughout California. Our crew has completed masonry repairs, retaining walls, chimney work, fireplace installation, and other projects across 16 service categories - from single-family homes to multi-unit properties. We are a small, locally owned operation, and every job gets our direct attention from estimate to final walkthrough.
Learn more about our team and approachAfter any notable Bay Area earthquake, after a winter where you noticed new cracks, or any time a door suddenly starts sticking - these are all cues that your masonry may have shifted. You do not need to wait until something looks obviously broken.
Water gets in. Once water is inside the wall, it works on the bricks from the inside - causing them to spall (flake), crack, and eventually break. A $500 tuckpointing job can become a $5,000 wall repair if it is left for several seasons. According to the International Masonry Institute, early repointing is the single most cost-effective masonry maintenance action homeowners can take.
Verify the California contractor's license number on the CSLB website before you agree to any work. Ask whether they will pull the permit if one is required. Get the estimate in writing, with itemized costs. A legitimate contractor will do all three without pushback.
If you have questions about a specific problem on your property, call us at (669) 326-6241 or send a message and we will respond within 1 business day.
Santa Clara is a city of about 130,000 residents at the heart of Silicon Valley, bordered by San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino. It is home to major tech campuses, the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium, and longtime community institutions like Santa Clara University, one of the oldest universities in California, and California's Great America, which has drawn families to the city since 1976.
The city has several distinct neighborhoods, from the newer townhomes and condos in Rivermark near the north end, to the older single-family homes near downtown and the university. The bulk of Santa Clara's housing stock was built between the 1950s and 1980s - and homes from that era are well past the point where mortar joints, chimneys, and foundations need attention. You can learn more about the city's neighborhoods and resources through the City of Santa Clara's neighborhood page.
Santa Clara sits near the San Andreas and Hayward faults, and the city's soil is largely bay mud and expansive clay - conditions that put real stress on foundations and mortar over time. We know this city's housing stock, its soil, its permit process, and its seasonal weather patterns. That background informs every estimate and every job we take on here.
By appointment only, no walk-ins.
SCM Santa Clara Masonry
1902 Lafayette St STE E
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Monday to Saturday: 8 AM to 6 PM. Sunday: 10 AM to 2 PM.
We serve Santa Clara and 11 surrounding Bay Area cities - reach out and we will respond within 1 business day.
