Tuckpointing & Masonry
in Chicagoland
(708) 290-8500Serving Tinley Park, Orland Park, Frankfort, Oak Lawn & 40+ suburbs. 20+ years experience. Free estimates.
About Tuckpointing & Masonry
Tuckpointing in Chicago, Orland Park, Tinley Park, and throughout the south suburbs restores brick structures that Chicago's freeze-thaw cycles damage every winter. Water enters deteriorated mortar joints, freezes, expands, and pushes bricks apart. Each cycle worsens the damage. Professional tuckpointing stops this process and prevents expensive structural repairs.
Chicagoland's brick buildings -from century-old bungalows in Beverly and Oak Lawn to 1960s ranches in Orland Park and Tinley Park -all share the same vulnerability. Mortar lasts 25-30 years. The bricks themselves last centuries. When mortar fails, the entire wall system fails.
What Tuckpointing Involves:
Tuckpointing (also called repointing) means removing deteriorated mortar and replacing it with new mortar properly matched for color and composition. Done correctly, tuckpointing makes joints nearly invisible while restoring structural integrity.
Our Process:
1. Inspection: We examine all mortar joints, checking for recessed mortar, crumbling, gaps, efflorescence (white salt deposits), and loose bricks. We probe joints to determine deterioration depth.
2. Mortar Removal: Using angle grinders with diamond blades and hand chisels, we remove old mortar to a depth of at least ¾ inch -deeper if deterioration extends further. Complete removal matters; new mortar won't bond to failing old mortar.
3. Joint Preparation: We clean loose debris with compressed air and dampen the joints. Dry bricks pull moisture from new mortar too quickly, weakening the bond.
4. Mortar Application: We pack new mortar into joints in multiple layers, tooling each layer to compress and seal. Final tooling creates a smooth, weather-resistant surface matching original joint profiles (concave, V-joint, flush, weathered).
5. Cleanup: We brush excess mortar from brick faces before it hardens. Dried mortar stains brick and is difficult to remove without acid washing.
Color Matching:: Modern mortar is gray. Historic mortar was often light buff, cream, or even pink depending on the sand source. We custom-blend mortar colors to match original joints. Poor color matching looks worse than the original deterioration.
Composition Matching:: Historic lime mortar is softer than modern Portland cement mortar. Using hard modern mortar on old lime-mortar buildings causes bricks to crack -the mortar should be the "sacrificial" element. We assess original mortar composition and match accordingly.
Common Tuckpointing Projects:
- Chimney Tuckpointing: Chimneys suffer the most exposure and fail first. Water entering failed joints damages flue tiles and interior walls.
- Foundation Tuckpointing: Basement water infiltration often traces to failed mortar at the foundation line, especially where grade slopes toward the building.
- Full-Wall Tuckpointing: When more than 30-40% of joints have failed, full-wall repointing makes more sense than spot repairs.
Areas We Serve:: We provide tuckpointing throughout Chicago's south side (Beverly, Mount Greenwood, Morgan Park), south suburbs (Oak Lawn, Palos Heights, Orland Park, Tinley Park), and west suburbs (La Grange, Riverside, Brookfield, Hinsdale).
Scheduling:: Tuckpointing requires temperatures above 40°F for mortar to cure properly. We schedule most work between April and October. Emergency chimney work uses winterized mortar when necessary.
What's Included
Why Choose Us for Tuckpointing & Masonry?
With 20+ years of experience and 400+ completed projects, we have the expertise to handle any tuckpointing & masonry project. Our licensed roofing professionals provide quality workmanship backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
QHow much does tuckpointing cost per square foot?
Residential tuckpointing typically runs $15-25 per square foot depending on access, deterioration severity, and color-matching complexity. We provide detailed quotes after inspection.
QHow do I know if my house needs tuckpointing?
Check mortar joints for: recessed mortar (more than 1/4 inch from brick face), crumbling when poked, gaps between mortar and brick, or white salt deposits. If you see these signs, schedule an inspection.
QHow long does tuckpointing last?
Quality tuckpointing lasts 25-30 years on most residential buildings. Exposed areas (chimneys, west-facing walls) may need attention sooner. Using proper mortar for your building matters.
QCan you match my existing mortar color?
Yes. We custom-blend mortar to match original colors. This is critical for appearance -gray mortar on a building with buff-colored joints looks terrible.
QDo you tuckpoint chimneys?
Yes. Chimneys are our most common tuckpointing project because they're exposed on all sides and fail first. We often combine chimney tuckpointing with cap repair or crown sealing.
Tuckpointing & Masonry by Location
We provide tuckpointing & masonry throughout Chicagoland. Select your city for local service information and pricing.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact us today for professional tuckpointing & masonry services. Free estimates available.