Masonry

When a homeowner wanted to start using his vintage indoor charcoal grill, the inspector dashed his hopes until it was inspected by a mason. Resident Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough answered the call, helping to identify the chimney crown as the issue. Luckily, Mark knew just what to do, and the two worked together to replace the concrete crown.

mason Mark McCullough finds all sorts of fun items while excavating foundations, repairing block walls, and other typical masonry projects. He shares some of his favorite items with host Kevin O’Connor back at our shop.

Concrete, brick, and mortar are incredibly durable, but they’re no match for water. While on a house call, mason Mark McCullough realized the root of a homeowner's problems with their front steps was exactly that: water getting behind the stair tread, deteriorating the mortar and heaving the tread forward when it freezes. Luckily, Mark knew just what to do.

Watch as This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook uses manufactured concrete blocks to create an attractive retaining wall.

Mason Mark McCullough teaches host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know about bricks, including the most common types and some interesting history.

Classic brickwork can last for centuries, but it will sometimes require a little bit of maintenance. When a homeowner’s lintel started to sag, they called mason Mark McCullough for help.

Trowel concrete resurfacer over your worn walkway, and you'll have a brand new, durable surface with uniform color. Before you get started, check out this how-to video on working with concrete.

Mason Mark McCullough shows how to remove organic stains from hardscapes such as bluestone and limestone blocks and pavers.

Mason Mark McCullough helps the owners of a family farm install an antique street sign on an original granite post.

Watch as This Old House mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner repair a crumbling sandstone veneer on the front steps.

Here are the most common issues homeowners experience with their brick chimneys, plus tips on how to repair them.

Discover how to choose brick patterns for walls and walkways and get tips on selecting patterns that complement your home.

An outdoor pizza oven is fun for the whole family — until it's damaged. Here's how to repair a brick-and-stone pizza oven.

Mason Mark McCullough teaches us everything we need to know about sealing, protecting, and beautifying masonry surfaces.

A stone birdbath can add a touch of elegance and wildlife to your outdoor space. Find out how to build one here.

House One editor and DIY Expert Jenn Largesse walks us through the process of building a retaining wall in her backyard.

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough tells us the story of how he got started in the trade he loves.

Ever wondered how exactly bricks are made? From ingredients to color, mason Mark McCullough explains how bricks are made and what makes them unique.

Mason Mark McCullough teaches Kevin O’Connor how to patch holes in a tough surface.

Ask This Old House mason, Mark McCullough, helps a homeowner update her concrete block, wood burning fireplace with a stacked stone veneer and a slab of stone.

Learn how to make precise, natural-looking cuts in stone with power saws and traditional finishing techniques.

Ask This Old House Mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner identify the culprit behind her cracking, front brick steps, and then repoints them using the correct material.

Mark McCullough and Jenn Nawada work together to reface an ugly concrete wall with a thin stone veneer that better matches the rest of the patio.