Mark Custom Masonry

Mark Custom Masonry Specializing in traditional unit masonry such as brick, block and stone.

An HOA hired me to rebuild a pier that was struck by a car. Matching brick can sometimes be a job in itself. Of course...
10/30/2025

An HOA hired me to rebuild a pier that was struck by a car. Matching brick can sometimes be a job in itself. Of course when you are willing to pay freight on a full cube (500+) of brick, there are a lot more options. In this instance I only needed slightly more than 300. The original brick were also standard 8”, but since the piers are standalone and the fence panels can be cut to size, it didn’t cause bond/joint size issues switching to a modular brick. I was able to source these Alamo by Boral Brick from Maschmeyer by the piece, which probably cost no more than 1/3 of ordering something in. I’m not sure how much of a better match is out there, but I definitely think this one is good enough that most people wouldn’t bother wanting to pay more for something closer. If I had to nitpick, I would say I’m not a big fan of recessed joints on a brick with divots running across most of the head joints. Luckily I had my favorite pointer with me to handle that.

Just about finished up on this other than a a few spot pointing touch ups and applying siloxane sealer. I’ve gotten ple...
10/19/2025

Just about finished up on this other than a a few spot pointing touch ups and applying siloxane sealer. I’ve gotten plenty of compliments about how it looks but I’m more proud of what’s on the inside, including -
A 12” footer extending 6” on each side along with an 8” sonotube and additional 12” with vertical and horizontal #5 rebar. We have sandy soil here in FL and my goal is to have this thing standing dead straight for at least 50 years.
Conduit zip tied to a pressure treated post with galvanized hardware and bracket keeping it off the ground to keep the interior open and manageable for the electric without water issues
The conduit runs to the light but also has a GFCI on the back on the pier. New wiring can be ran through in the future without disassembling any masonry.
Weepholes at base to prevent any moisture accumulation
Custom made cast stone cap prevented the need to trim and drill a $200 natural stone that is not always easy to source in my area to begin with. Cap is pitched and conduit extends past the top of opening, so water won’t be getting in easily from the top.
Siloxane sealer will help prevent efflorescence caused by salts in our hard water precipitating out from the mortar.
I encourage everyone to utilize masonry whether they hire me, someone else, or do it themselves. If you are going to hire someone and compare prices, these details are what could be the difference between a project lasting 10 years or 50 years. Masonry is a long term investment, so be sure you are not only happy with pictures of previous work or mockups, but that you also paying for the quality you are looking for on the inside as well.

Ready to be capped off, washed down, caulked and have the light installed
10/03/2025

Ready to be capped off, washed down, caulked and have the light installed

09/30/2025

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This garden brick wall between two piers with stone caps and lights was done with a mix of rustic brick, most being repu...
08/18/2025

This garden brick wall between two piers with stone caps and lights was done with a mix of rustic brick, most being repurposed old Chicago. It features a bordered panel design using corbelling, headers, rowlocks and soldiers to create a cohesive double wythe mass masonry wall. The methods and materials used are the same as they would have been anytime after the late 19th century when Portland cement and electricity came into common use.

These split faced concrete block (sometimes referred to as Bermuda stone) seem to be extremely common for mobile home sk...
03/19/2025

These split faced concrete block (sometimes referred to as Bermuda stone) seem to be extremely common for mobile home skirting in Florida. For some reason most of the homes in this community only have two sides that are laid in mortar and the other sides only have the first course mudded in without head joints and the rest are just dry stacked on top. I guess that works until it doesn’t. We pulled up and relaid the first course and got the rest of it sorted out.

There was a lot of fake brick stucco done in Florida around 60s and 70s. Repairing this wall that was damaged from the ...
03/12/2025

There was a lot of fake brick stucco done in Florida around 60s and 70s. Repairing this wall that was damaged from the hurricane was my first time trying it.

Address

8209 N Klondyke Street
Tampa, FL
33604

Telephone

+12012069985

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