Serving San Bernardino, CA and surrounding areas. (909) 515-5170
SBD San Bernardino Masonry is a licensed masonry contractor serving Pomona with brick wall installation, foundation repair, and chimney work. Pomona has some of the oldest housing stock in the San Gabriel Valley - from the Victorian and Craftsman homes in Lincoln Park to the mid-century ranch houses that fill out the rest of the city - and older homes need masonry contractors who understand how materials from that era behave, not just how to pour new concrete. We serve homeowners throughout Pomona, from the streets near the Fairplex to the neighborhoods around Cal Poly Pomona.
Pomona has a higher concentration of true brick construction than most Inland Valley cities - particularly in Lincoln Park and the older residential streets closer to downtown - and that means demand for brick wall installation that looks appropriate next to 80- and 100-year-old homes. Whether you are building a new garden wall, a property boundary wall, or replacing an original structure that has failed beyond repair, brick material selection and mortar compatibility matter more here than in newer neighborhoods. For full details on the installation process, materials, and permits, read about our brick wall installation service.
Pomona homes from the 1940s and 1950s sit on foundations that are now 60 to 80 years old. In that time, Pomona's clay soil has expanded and contracted through hundreds of wet-and-dry cycles, and even well-built original foundations show the cumulative effect: cracks, uneven floors, doors that no longer close flush, and visible gaps along the slab edge. These are not cosmetic problems. We assess what is actually driving the movement and repair the structural cause, not just fill the crack and hope for the best.
Older Pomona homes - especially those in Lincoln Park and the Westmont area - frequently have brick chimneys that have not been touched since the house was built. Mortar joints on a chimney exposed to Pomona's summer heat and winter temperature swings deteriorate faster than interior masonry. A chimney with open joints lets water in at the roofline, which then travels down into the interior structure. Repointing chimney mortar and checking the crown and flashing are straightforward maintenance steps that protect a much more expensive repair down the road.
Pomona has a larger share of historic masonry than most nearby cities, and restoring it properly requires a different mindset than new construction. Using the wrong mortar mix on original brick - one that is harder than the brick itself - causes the brick faces to spall and crack over time as the softer brick absorbs stress. We assess the original materials before specifying any restoration approach and match both the mortar composition and the finish to what was used originally. The goal is a wall that looks and performs as it should, not one that looks patched.
Many Pomona properties that were built or renovated from the 1960s onward have concrete block perimeter walls rather than brick. Block walls in Pomona face the same clay soil and summer heat challenges as any masonry in this area, but they are generally faster to build and more straightforward to repair when sections fail. If your block wall is leaning, has sections with crumbling mortar, or was built without adequate footing depth, we can rebuild it in a way that will stay straight for decades rather than years.
Tuckpointing is the process of removing deteriorated mortar from the joints between bricks or blocks and replacing it with fresh mortar. For Pomona homeowners with original brick construction - common in Lincoln Park and the older neighborhoods near downtown - tuckpointing is the most cost-effective way to restore structural integrity without tearing down and replacing a wall that still has sound brick. Done correctly and with the right mortar mix for the existing material, a tuckpointing job extends a brick wall's life by 20 years or more.
Pomona carries a different masonry challenge than most cities in the Inland Valley because the housing stock is genuinely old by Southern California standards. A significant portion of the city's homes were built before 1960, and the Lincoln Park neighborhood includes Victorian and Craftsman houses dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s. That means there are properties in Pomona where the original brick, mortar, and foundation work are more than 100 years old - and those materials behave differently than modern construction. Applying a modern Portland cement mortar to an original lime mortar brick joint, for example, is a common mistake that causes the softer historic brick to crack from the inside out. Masonry restoration work on older Pomona homes requires a contractor who understands that the goal is compatibility, not just repair.
Pomona's climate adds its own set of demands. Summers regularly push past 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and the city sits inland far enough that coastal marine layer does little to moderate the heat. Santa Ana wind events in fall and winter are a recurring threat, and wood fencing that gets knocked down repeatedly is a strong argument for block or brick walls as a permanent replacement. Pomona's soil has clay content that swells and contracts with rain cycles, putting steady pressure on footings, slab foundations, and anything else anchored in the ground. Homes on smaller lots - typical throughout the established neighborhoods - often have drainage constraints that make soil movement worse over time. A contractor who has worked on Pomona properties understands that the combination of old materials, clay soil, and seasonal weather creates masonry needs that do not look like those in newer, lower-density cities.
We pull permits for masonry and brick wall projects through the City of Pomona Building and Safety Division and are familiar with the permit and inspection requirements for structural masonry work in this jurisdiction. Pomona requires a footing inspection before block or brickwork begins and a final inspection at project completion - we handle both on your behalf so the finished wall has a complete permit record. If your home is in a historic district or older neighborhood where architectural review may apply, we factor that into the project plan from the start rather than discovering it mid-project.
Pomona sits at the eastern edge of Los Angeles County where the San Gabriel Valley meets the Inland Empire, bordered by Ontario to the east, Chino to the south, Diamond Bar to the southeast, and Claremont to the north. The 10, 60, and 71 freeways all run through or near the city, making it accessible from multiple directions. The Fairplex - home of the Los Angeles County Fair - anchors the northwest part of Pomona and is a landmark most residents know. Cal Poly Pomona sits on the eastern edge of the city. The Lincoln Park neighborhood in central Pomona is the most historically significant residential area and includes some of the oldest masonry in the city.
We also work in the communities surrounding Pomona. If you are in Riverside to the east or in Ontario to the southeast, the same crew and the same attention to local soil and climate conditions applies.
When you call, we ask a few questions - what you are trying to repair or build, the approximate size, and whether your home is in a historic area or has HOA requirements. We respond to all inquiries within 1 business day and schedule a site visit at your convenience. You do not need to know all the answers before calling.
We come to your Pomona property and look at the existing materials, the soil conditions, and the scope of the project. For older homes, we assess whether mortar compatibility is a concern before specifying any approach. You receive a written, itemized estimate that includes the permit fee. No ballpark guesses over the phone - the estimate comes after we have seen the property.
We handle the permit application with the City of Pomona and give you a realistic start date once the permit is approved - typically one to two weeks from application. We call 811 before any digging to have utilities marked. You do not need to manage any of the permit logistics yourself.
We schedule the required city inspections - footing and final - and do not consider the job done until every required sign-off is complete. After the last brick is set, mortar needs about a week to cure before painting or mounting anything to the wall. We walk you through what to expect before we leave the site.
We work on properties across Pomona - from historic homes in Lincoln Park to mid-century ranches and newer construction. Call or send a message and we will respond within 1 business day.
(909) 515-5170Pomona is a city of more than 150,000 people at the eastern edge of Los Angeles County, where the San Gabriel Valley transitions into the Inland Empire. The city covers about 23 square miles and sits at a crossroads of major freeways - the 10, 60, and 71 - making it one of the more connected communities in the eastern portion of the county. Pomona is home to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), one of the largest universities in the Cal State system, and to the Fairplex, which hosts the Los Angeles County Fair each September and is one of the most-visited venues in the region. The Lincoln Park neighborhood, in central Pomona, is recognized as one of the most intact historic residential districts in the Inland Valley, with Victorian, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, some listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Pomona's housing stock is among the oldest in the region. A significant portion was built before 1960, with many homes dating to the 1940s and 1950s - and the Lincoln Park district pushes that even further back. Most residential lots are modest in size, typically 5,000 to 7,000 square feet, with homes built close together and narrow side yards that can complicate contractor access. About half of Pomona's households are owner-occupied, and those homeowners tend to be invested in long-term property maintenance rather than quick cosmetic fixes. Neighboring communities include Ontario to the east and Riverside further east along the 60 - both areas we serve regularly.
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 home is a century-old Craftsman in Lincoln Park or a 1960s ranch on the west side of the city, we come out, assess what you actually need, and give you a straight written estimate before any work begins.
