Retaining Walls
We build and repair retaining walls in block and natural stone, plus segmental walls, around Mechanicsburg and the Harrisburg area. Each wall sits on a footing or a compacted gravel pad, with drainage behind it.
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Steven Rigg Masonry builds walkways and steps in brick and stone around Mechanicsburg. That covers front steps, porch steps, stoops and landings, plus the walkway that leads up to them. When old steps sink or pull away from the house, we rebuild them from the footing up.
We are a masonry contractor serving Mechanicsburg and the towns about 40 miles around it. A walkway often ends at a patio, and we build brick and stone patios as well. Call or text (717) 608-2175, and we will look at the job and put the quote in writing.
Tell us about the chimney, wall, steps or patio and where it is. We look at the job and put the quote in writing.
Frost is often behind it. The USDA soil survey describes frost heave as ice forming in wet soil and pushing the ground up. When the ice melts, the soil collapses and loses strength. The survey says heave and the soft ground after a thaw damage pavements and other rigid structures.
Winters here give frost plenty of chances. NOAA's climate averages for 1991 to 2020 show about 100 nights a year at or below freezing around Harrisburg. On most of those days, the afternoon warms back above freezing. The top of the ground can freeze and thaw again and again.
Most houses sit on footings set below the frost line, out of frost's reach. Steps built on a thin slab or loose fill sit above that line. They lift when the ground freezes and settle back unevenly when it thaws. Over a few winters, a gap opens where the steps meet the house.
A walkway is only as flat as the base under it. The brick industry's paving guide calls for at least 4 inches of compacted base stone under a home walkway. A sand bed about an inch thick goes on top. Edging along the sides holds the pavers in place.
Much of the valley floor around Mechanicsburg is limestone soil, silty and clayey below. The soil survey rates it moderate for frost heave. It rates well drained, very gravelly ground as the least likely to heave. A compacted stone base puts that kind of layer under the walk and lets water drain out.
The surface has to shed water as well. The same guide calls for a slope of at least 1/4 inch per foot. For brick, it points to pavers graded to freeze while soaked. A flagstone or natural stone walkway needs the same firm base and pitch.
When the base under steps has failed, we take the steps down and start again at the ground. New brick or stone steps go up on a concrete footing below the frost line. Each riser is laid out to the same height, so the steps feel even underfoot. Stoops and landings at the door are rebuilt the same way.
About 1 in 3 homes in Mechanicsburg borough was built in 1939 or earlier, per Census Bureau survey data. Some sit in the borough's historic district, where new work on the outside of a home gets an extra review. Carlisle's historic district guide says flaking, spalling stone steps should be repaired rather than replaced with wood or concrete.
Call or text for a written quote. We work about 40 miles around Mechanicsburg across South Central Pennsylvania.
(717) 608-2175From the first call or text to the finished work, here is how it goes.
Call or text (717) 608-2175 and tell us about the job and the town it is in. Text photos if you have them.
We come out to see the masonry and what caused the damage, like water getting in or ground that settled. For new work, we go over the plan and the materials with you.
You get a written quote that spells out the work. Once you say yes, we set a start date with you.
Repairs start with grinding out failed mortar or taking down loose brick. New work starts at the footing or the base, and then we lay the masonry on it. Mortar work follows the weather.
We clean the new masonry and the work area. Then we go over the finished job with you.
Common questions about walkways and steps around Mechanicsburg and the Harrisburg area. If yours is not here, call or text and ask.
We build and repair retaining walls in block and natural stone, plus segmental walls, around Mechanicsburg and the Harrisburg area. Each wall sits on a footing or a compacted gravel pad, with drainage behind it.
Learn More
We build outdoor kitchens in masonry: grill islands faced in brick or stone, and brick pizza ovens. You pick the grill, and we build each opening to fit it.
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We build outdoor fireplaces and masonry fire pits in brick and stone. Seat walls around the fire give everyone a place to sit.
Learn MoreWe work in brick, block and stone. A job that mixes them, like a block wall with a stone face, takes one call.
We fix loose brick and failed mortar joints, and we rebuild worn chimneys. New work covers brick porches and columns, block foundation walls and stone veneer.
We look at the job before we put a price on it. Then you get the quote in writing, with the work spelled out.
Mechanicsburg sits at the center of our service area. Harrisburg, Carlisle, Hershey, York, Lebanon and Gettysburg are part of it too.
Real reviews of our masonry work, 3 reviews on Google.
Fastest company to get back to me, as well as educate me on the process behind building up a brick step up to the front door. I found that very beneficial, and added a sense of security and i always stand behind anyone who is that confident in their work, as well as going above and beyond!!!
Efficient, quick, and on time, rain played a factor but these guys didn’t let that affect them, stayed on the timeline they gave me and crushed it, the work speaks for itself
Steven got us scheduled very quickly and gave us a quote! He was very honest about the work we needed done and pointed us in the right direction for how it should be done. The finished project looked great! We would definitely recommend Steven and are very happy with his work. Thank you Steven!
Tell us what needs building or fixing and the town it is in, and text us photos if you like. Call or text (717) 608-2175 or use the form, and we will get back to you.
Tell us about the chimney, wall, steps or patio and where it is. We look at the job and put the quote in writing.
