Serving San Bernardino, CA and surrounding areas. (909) 515-5170
SBD San Bernardino Masonry is a licensed masonry contractor serving Ontario with driveway pavers, retaining wall construction, and concrete repair. We work on homes across the city - from the historic neighborhoods near Euclid Avenue to the ranch homes in central Ontario and the newer subdivisions on the south side - and we factor in Ontario's clay soils and triple-digit summer heat in every job we do.
Ontario's clay soil expands and contracts with every wet-dry cycle, and that movement is what cracks standard poured concrete driveways year after year. Paver driveways flex with minor soil shifts rather than fracturing, and individual sections can be replaced if one area settles - a real advantage on properties where the ground moves with every season. To understand the full installation process, read about our driveway paver service.
Ontario properties with any grade change lose soil during heavy winter rains, especially where clay concentrates runoff. A retaining wall with footings designed for expansive soil stops that erosion and converts a sloped or unusable edge into a defined, stable part of the yard. We size footings and drainage for Ontario's specific soil conditions rather than using minimum-standard construction.
Block walls are the standard property boundary on Ontario lots built in the 1960s and 1970s, and the original mortar from that era is at the end of its service life on many of these properties. Failed mortar joints allow water behind the block, accelerating deterioration and eventually causing sections to lean or collapse. We repair failing sections and rebuild walls with footings that account for Ontario's soil movement.
Older homes near Euclid Avenue and downtown Ontario were built in the 1920s through 1950s, when foundation standards were less rigorous than today. That original construction has been through decades of clay soil movement, and many homes in those neighborhoods show the results - diagonal cracks at window corners, doors that stick, or floors with a slight tilt. We diagnose the cause and repair to current standards before structural problems worsen.
Front walkways on Ontario properties built in the 1960s and 1970s are commonly heaved or cracked from decades of soil movement and summer heat cycling. A heaved walkway is both a trip hazard and an early sign of subgrade problems that will affect the driveway and patio if left unaddressed. We build and repair walkways with proper subgrade preparation for Ontario's clay soil conditions.
Ontario's older Craftsman and Spanish Colonial Revival homes near downtown have original brick work that is now 60 to 100 years old. At that age, mortar joints are open, bricks are spalling, and water infiltration is a real risk - especially given how hard Ontario's winter rainstorms can hit after long dry stretches. We replace damaged brick and repoint open joints before moisture works its way behind the wall.
Ontario is about 35 miles east of Los Angeles, deep enough in the Inland Empire that its climate operates by different rules than the coast. Summers here regularly hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and the UV exposure at that heat level degrades mortar, concrete surfaces, and sealants at a pace that most homeowners do not expect. That kind of sustained heat also dries out the clay soil underneath driveways and patios rapidly, causing it to shrink and pull away from whatever is sitting on top. When winter rains arrive, that same soil expands back. The cycle repeats every year, and it is the main reason driveways crack in the same spots, block wall mortar fails, and foundations shift on Ontario properties that were built decades ago without accounting for this kind of soil behavior.
The housing stock in Ontario spans nearly a century, and each era comes with its own set of masonry considerations. The oldest homes near Euclid Avenue were built in the 1920s and 1930s on foundation and masonry standards that predate California's current seismic and grading codes - that original construction is now approaching or past 100 years old. The postwar ranch homes from the 1960s and 1970s represent the largest share of the city's housing, and their concrete flatwork, block walls, and stucco finishes are all at or beyond their expected service lives. Even Ontario's newer subdivisions from the 1990s and 2000s are now old enough that driveways and exterior masonry are showing wear. A contractor who does not account for what era a home was built in - and what that means for soil prep, base depth, and material selection - will deliver repairs that underperform in Ontario's specific conditions.
We pull permits for masonry and concrete work through the City of Ontario Community Development Department, and we are familiar with the city's permit requirements for driveway replacement and retaining wall construction. Ontario's process for driveway permits includes drainage compliance - the finished surface has to move water away from the structure and the street, not pool it at the property line - and we design every project to meet that standard from the start.
The difference between Ontario's neighborhoods is not just age - it is what the homes are built of and what problems come up on each type of property. The streets around Euclid Avenue, Ontario's historic tree-lined boulevard listed on the National Register of Historic Places, have the city's oldest homes - Craftsman bungalows, Spanish Colonial Revival houses, and original concrete work that is well overdue for attention. Moving south and east, the 1960s and 1970s ranch home neighborhoods near Ontario International Airport are where block wall and driveway repair calls come in most often. The subdivisions near Ontario Mills on the south side of the 10 freeway bring a newer set of needs - driveways and patios from the 1990s that are entering the window where they crack.
We also serve homeowners in neighboring Pomona to the west and Rancho Cucamonga to the north, both of which share Ontario's clay soil conditions and Inland Empire heat patterns.
We respond within 1 business day and schedule an on-site visit. No contractor can price a masonry or concrete job in Ontario accurately from a photo - the soil conditions, surface condition, and drainage all have to be seen in person.
We walk the property with you, explain what we are finding, and leave a written estimate that covers labor, materials, and any permit costs. This is where we address cost questions - there are no additions to the price once work has started.
We handle the permit application with the City of Ontario for any work that requires one. Our crew prepares the subgrade to the depth Ontario's clay soil demands, installs or repairs the masonry, and maintains the site between days. Most residential jobs wrap up in two to five days.
We clean up the site and walk the completed work with you. You will know the curing period before you can use the driveway or walkway, what to watch for after the first heavy rain, and you will have permit documentation showing the job was done to city standards.
We serve Ontario homeowners from the historic streets near Euclid Avenue to the newer neighborhoods on the south side of the 10 freeway. Call or send a message and we will schedule a free on-site estimate within 1 business day.
(909) 515-5170Ontario is a city of about 185,000 people in San Bernardino County, located roughly 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the heart of the Inland Empire. The city has been growing for decades, which means its housing stock spans nearly 100 years - from early 1900s Craftsman bungalows and Spanish Colonial Revival homes near the historic downtown core to postwar ranch homes from the 1960s and 1970s in the central neighborhoods, and planned subdivisions from the 1990s and 2000s near the city's southern and eastern edges. Ontario is also a major logistics hub - Ontario International Airport and a network of large warehouse and distribution facilities make it one of the most commercially active cities in the region. Many residents work locally rather than commuting to Los Angeles, which reflects the city's independent economic character.
The most recognizable street in Ontario is Euclid Avenue, a historic boulevard lined with a double row of pepper trees that runs through the center of the city and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The neighborhoods on either side of Euclid have some of the city's oldest homes and the highest concentration of masonry and concrete work that has been in place for 60 years or more. On the south side of the 10 freeway, the newer communities around Ontario Mills feel different in character - newer homes on smaller lots with driveways and patios that are now entering the age where they need attention. Neighboring Pomona to the west shares many of Ontario's older housing characteristics, while Rancho Cucamonga to the north represents a newer wave of Inland Empire residential development - both are within our service area.
Expert diagnosis and repair of foundation cracks, settling, and structural damage.
Learn moreProfessional chimney inspection, rebuilding, and repair for safe and efficient operation.
Learn morePrecision mortar joint restoration that extends the life of brick and stone structures.
Learn moreReplacement and repair of damaged, spalled, or deteriorated bricks on any structure.
Learn moreEngineered retaining walls built to hold soil, prevent erosion, and add usable space.
Learn moreComprehensive restoration of aging masonry to its original strength and appearance.
Learn moreCustom fireplace construction using brick, stone, or block for warmth and aesthetics.
Learn moreNatural and manufactured stone veneer installation for interior and exterior surfaces.
Learn moreDurable concrete block wall construction for fencing, landscaping, and structural use.
Learn moreSolid concrete block foundation wall installation built to code and engineered for longevity.
Learn moreCustom outdoor kitchen structures built with masonry for lasting outdoor entertaining.
Learn moreAttractive and durable walkway installation using brick, pavers, or stone.
Learn moreNew brick wall construction for fences, borders, accents, and structural applications.
Learn moreSkilled natural stone installation for walls, columns, facades, and outdoor features.
Learn moreTargeted repointing of deteriorated mortar joints to restore waterproofing and strength.
Learn moreWhether your driveway keeps cracking, a block wall is leaning, or you want a paver driveway that holds up to Ontario's soil and heat, our crew knows this city and is ready to give you a straight answer and a written estimate.
