Concrete and Block Masonry in Spokane, WA

Legendary Masonry Spokane provides block masonry services in Spokane, WA, including new CMU walls, foundations, and structural repairs. We build strong, straight concrete block walls for garages, additions, basements, and retaining applications that are reinforced and grouted to meet local codes.

Legendary Masonry Spokane provides professional block masonry throughout Spokane, WA, Washington and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call 509-250-8836 or request your free quote.

Concrete and Block Masonry For Spokane Properties

Concrete and block masonry is the backbone of many Spokane structures, from daylight basement walls on the South Hill to shop buildings outside the city limits. Legendary Masonry Spokane focuses on block masonry that is built to handle our freeze-thaw cycles, sloped lots, and a mix of older and newer construction.

When you call us, we start with a site visit. We look at soil conditions, drainage patterns, access for materials, and how your new concrete or block work will tie into existing structures. A retaining wall on Five Mile Prairie, for example, faces different wind and water patterns than a foundation wall in West Central, so our approach changes accordingly. We also consider how snow sheds from roofs, where downspouts discharge, and how vehicles or equipment will load any slab or wall.

From small block garden walls to full CMU (concrete masonry unit) foundation systems, we keep the conversation practical: what problem do you want solved, what lifespan do you expect, and what budget range makes sense. That local, problem-first approach keeps Spokane homeowners and contractors from overbuilding in the wrong places and underbuilding where strength really matters.

Types of Concrete and Block Masonry We Offer

Legendary Masonry Spokane handles a wide range of concrete and block masonry projects so you do not have to juggle multiple trades.

For structural block masonry, we install CMU foundation walls, crawlspace walls, and bearing walls for new homes, additions, and garages. These usually involve rebar reinforcement, grout-filled cells, and anchor bolts for sill plates. We coordinate with your engineer or use standard details that meet Spokane County and City of Spokane requirements.

For site and landscape work, we build block retaining walls, planter boxes, and terraced yards. Depending on height and soil, we may recommend standard CMU with a concrete footing, engineered block systems, or poured concrete with a block veneer. We also install concrete slabs for patios, hot tubs, sheds, and RV parking, including thickened edges and rebar where heavier loads are expected.

For upgrades to older Spokane homes, we repair or rebuild block chimneys, reinforce or replace failing block foundation sections, and tie new block walls into existing concrete with dowels and epoxy. Our team is used to working on tight city lots, older basements with limited access, and mixed masonry from different eras.

How We Build Durable Block Masonry in Spokane

A strong block masonry project starts below grade. We excavate to the required depth, then prepare a compacted gravel base that allows drainage instead of trapping water against your wall or slab. In Spokane, frost depth is typically taken to about 24 inches, so foundations and structural walls are usually designed to get below that line. For smaller landscape walls, we explain where frost protection is critical and where proper drainage can be enough.

Once the base is prepared, we form and pour concrete footings where required. Footings are sized based on wall height, soil conditions, and loading. We set horizontal and vertical rebar according to plans, paying attention to lap lengths and clearances. After the footing cures to the correct strength, we start laying block.

Block courses are laid in a running bond pattern with Type S or Type N mortar, depending on structural requirements. We use string lines and levels on every course to keep the wall straight and plumb. Vertical rebar is threaded through block cores where specified, and those cells are later filled with grout. For retaining walls, we incorporate weep holes or drain piping behind the wall to relieve groundwater pressure, which is critical in Spokane’s clay-heavy pockets where water can build up behind a wall.

For concrete slabs, we frame and brace the forms, add a compacted gravel base, then install rebar or wire mesh. Control joints are placed at proper intervals to manage cracking. We pour, screed, float, and finish the surface with the finish you choose, then cure the concrete properly to handle Spokane’s temperature swings.

Design and Material Options for Block Masonry

Concrete and block masonry does not have to look plain. Legendary Masonry Spokane offers several design and material options so your project fits both function and appearance.

For visible walls, you can choose between standard gray CMU, split-face block, or block that is later covered with stucco, stone veneer, or brick veneer. Split-face block is common for daylight basements and commercial buildings because it adds texture without a separate veneer system. We can show you local examples so you can see how these finishes weather in Spokane’s climate.

Retaining walls can be built with traditional CMU that is then faced with stone or with an engineered block system that comes in various colors, face textures, and modular sizes. If you plan future landscaping, irrigation, or lighting, we can incorporate conduits and sleeves through the wall so you are not drilling through concrete later.

For slabs and flatwork adjacent to block walls, you can choose light broom finishes for grip in winter, exposed aggregate to match older Spokane neighborhoods, or smooth troweled surfaces for interior or covered areas. Expansion joints, decorative saw cuts, and borders can help control cracking while giving a cleaner appearance. We always talk through how you will use each surface, including snow shoveling, de-icer use, and vehicle traffic, before finalizing a finish.

What Affects Cost for Concrete and Block Masonry

Pricing for block masonry in Spokane varies, and we are straightforward about what drives the numbers so you can make informed decisions.

Site access is a major factor. If we can bring in a concrete truck, forklift, or telehandler close to the work, labor costs drop. Tight city alleys, steep driveways, or backyard-only access often require smaller equipment, more hand work, or concrete buggies, which adds time. We account for this during the initial visit, not as a surprise later.

Wall height, thickness, and reinforcement level also play a big role. A low garden wall with minimal rebar and standard block will cost much less per foot than a fully engineered retaining wall that holds back heavy soil. Similarly, a simple 4 inch patio slab with wire mesh is different in cost from a thickened-edge slab with heavy rebar for a shop, RV pad, or hot tub.

Soil conditions and drainage can add necessary work. In some Spokane neighborhoods you have stable, well-drained soil. In others, you run into expansive clay or pockets of loose fill that need over-excavation and more gravel. For retaining walls, proper drainage rock and drain pipe behind the wall is not optional if you want the wall to last, so we budget that in.

Finally, finishes and veneers affect cost. Exposed aggregate, decorative saw cuts, or stone veneer on block all add materials and labor. We provide clear line items so you can decide where to invest more and where to keep things simple.

Common Problems We Solve With Block Masonry

Because we work throughout Spokane and Spokane Valley, we see certain repeating problems with older concrete and block masonry.

One is tipping or bowing retaining walls. This usually comes from lack of drainage behind the wall, inadequate footing, or not enough reinforcement. Our typical solution involves removing soil behind the wall, demolishing and rebuilding with a wider or deeper footing, upgraded rebar, and a proper drain system that exits at daylight or a storm system if available.

Another common issue is cracking or settling in block foundations or stem walls. This can come from downspouts discharging at the foundation, poor backfill practices, or older construction that did not meet today’s standards. We assess whether the problem is cosmetic or structural. Repairs might include epoxy injection of cracks, adding interior or exterior buttress walls, underpinning with new footings, or in severe cases rebuilding sections of wall.

We also see moisture issues in basements where block walls were never waterproofed or where footing drains have failed. In these cases, we coordinate with waterproofing contractors or install new exterior drainage as needed, then repair or rebuild block, add waterproofing membranes, and protect the wall with drainage board. All work is done with Spokane’s inspection standards in mind so you can sell or refinance without red flags.

For flatwork, common problems are heaving or cracked slabs due to poor base prep or ignored control joints. Our repairs range from cutting and replacing sections of slab to installing new, properly compacted bases and correct joint layouts for long-term performance.

Permits, Inspections, and Working With Spokane Rules

Concrete and block masonry often triggers local permitting, and Legendary Masonry Spokane helps navigate that process so you do not end up tearing work back out.

In the City of Spokane and Spokane County, building permits are often required for structural foundation walls, retaining walls over a certain height, and new garages or additions. For retaining walls, a permit is frequently needed once you exceed about 4 feet of exposed height, especially if the wall supports a driveway, structure, or surcharge above. We help you determine whether your project falls under those rules and can work with your designer or engineer to prepare submittals.

Inspections typically occur at footing stage and again after wall construction and before backfilling. For concrete slabs associated with buildings, there may also be an inspection of base, reinforcement, and vapor barriers. We schedule inspections, meet the inspector on site when needed, and adjust details to satisfy the specific Spokane inspector assigned to your project.

If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, we can provide drawings, finish samples, and descriptions of wall height, block style, and color so you can obtain architectural review approval. We are also used to coordinating with utility locates (811) before any digging so gas, power, and communication lines are properly marked. Handling these steps up front keeps your concrete and block masonry project on schedule and compliant.