Chicago Tuckpointing
Tuckpointing and mortar repair from North Shore Handyman, before the water gets behind your brick
Call (312) 313-9394- 27 on the team
- 11+ years
- Licensed and insured
- Free estimates
Chicago brick has survived fires, blizzards and every single bad decision made at City Hall. The mortar holding it together, though, has a shorter career.
I'm Chris. For more than 11 years, my team has worked on homes and buildings all over this city, and tuckpointing Chicago brick is a job we know well. When the joints go, water gets in. Once water's in the wall, a small repair starts turning into a big one.
Tuckpointing Services We Handle in Chicago
Not every wall needs the same job. Here's how it breaks down.
Brick Tuckpointing
Brick tuckpointing means grinding out the damaged mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar, packed in and finished so it looks right. People also call it repointing. Whatever you call it, it's what keeps water out of your walls.
Spot Tuckpointing and Mortar Repair
You don't always need the whole wall done. If the damage is in one area, spot mortar repair can take care of it, as long as we blend it in so it doesn't look like a patch.
Whole Wall and Building Tuckpointing
If the joints are failing all over, doing it all at once is usually the better deal. It's common on older two-flats, three-flats and courtyard buildings, where every wall faces a different kind of weather.
Chimney Tuckpointing
Chimneys get the worst of the weather on all sides, and they're easy to ignore because nobody's looking up there. Chimney tuckpointing catches the damage before loose brick becomes a real problem. And if bricks have started to move, we'll also look at what it takes to repair it.
Commercial and Multi-Unit Buildings
We work on businesses and larger residential buildings too. Tell us about the building and how many stories it's got, and we'll talk through how we'd get it done. You'll deal with one tuckpointing company Chicago building owners can reach by phone.
What Tuckpointing Costs in Chicago
Your tuckpointing cost depends on:
- How much wall needs it. Spot work costs less than a whole building.
- How high it is. Scaffolding and lifts add to the job.
- How bad it's gotten. Loose or damaged brick needs more than new mortar.
- Access. Chicago gangways don't leave a lot of room to work.
We'll come take a look and give you a free estimate. And yes, tuckpointing cost goes up every winter you wait, because the damage keeps spreading.
When Tuckpointing Is the Wrong Fix
Sometimes it isn't the mortar. If you've got long stair-step cracks, bulging brick or a wall that's leaning, new mortar won't fix it. That's a masonry repair, and it might mean the structure needs a closer look. We'll tell you what we see. Also, a bad caulk job over cracked joints isn't tuckpointing, even if somebody charged you for it. And if it's only one small area, you shouldn't be sold a whole building.
Why Hire Our Tuckpointing Company
There are a lot of tuckpointing companies Chicago homeowners hear from, and you've probably had a flyer or two on your door. Before you hire tuckpointing contractors Chicago neighbors haven't vouched for, here's what you should expect from any of them, and what you'll get from us:
- Damaged mortar actually removed, not just smeared over
- Mortar that suits your older brick, since mortar that's too hard can damage it
- Color and joints that blend in as well as we can get them
- Licensed and insured, with one company responsible for the job
- A clean site, with no mortar dust left on your plants and windows
Chicago Tuckpointing Questions
How do I know if I need tuckpointing?
Look for crumbling or missing mortar, gaps between bricks, or water stains inside. If you can scrape the mortar out with a key, it's time.
How long does tuckpointing last?
It depends on the wall, how much weather it takes and the work that was done. South and west walls and chimneys often need attention first. We'll tell you how yours looks.
Can tuckpointing be done in the winter?
Fresh mortar doesn't like freezing, so weather matters. Call us anytime and we'll tell you when your job makes sense.
Is tuckpointing the same as repointing?
Close enough for most people. You'll hear both for the same basic job: taking out bad mortar and putting in new.
Call Our Chicago Tuckpointing Crew
If you need tuckpointing services Chicago winters won't undo next year, call me at (312) 313-9394 or fill out the form. You'll get a free, no-pressure estimate.
See everything else North Shore Handyman handles.
All the best,
Chris