Chicago’s brick homes and buildings need regular care. Mortar cracks. Bricks can spall. Water can enter through small gaps. Over time, these problems may affect the strength, safety, and appearance of your property.
Casey Tuckpointing has served Chicago and nearby suburbs since 1994. We are a family-owned and operated masonry contractor founded by Kazimierz Sieracki. Our team brings more than 30 years of hands-on experience to residential, commercial, and historic masonry work.
We are licensed and fully insured. We do not subcontract our work. You get personal service, clear communication, and one accountable team from the first visit through the final cleanup.
If you need help with brick, stone, mortar, or a building facade, call Casey Tuckpointing at (847) 962-6309 or request a free estimate.
Why Chicago Masonry Needs Regular Care
Chicago weather can be hard on masonry. Freeze-thaw cycles cause water inside small cracks and mortar joints to freeze, expand, and then thaw. This repeated movement can loosen mortar and damage bricks.
Rain and snow can also enter weak joints. The Brick Industry Association reports that water infiltration through deteriorated mortar joints is one of the leading causes of structural damage in brick buildings. Early repairs can help protect the wall and limit the work needed later.
Common signs of masonry damage include:
- Crumbling or missing mortar
- Cracks around windows and doors
- Loose or cracked bricks
- White stains on brick, often called efflorescence
- Water stains on interior walls
- A leaning chimney or parapet wall
- Rust stains below steel lintels
- Drafts or leaks near masonry walls
- A city code violation notice
A damaged wall does not always need a full rebuild. In many cases, a careful inspection can identify the specific repair needed. Our goal is to explain the condition of your masonry in plain language and recommend only the work that makes sense.
For more guidance, read our Chicago masonry maintenance guide.
Our Masonry Services
Casey Tuckpointing handles a wide range of masonry repairs and restoration work. We serve homeowners, landlords, property managers, general contractors, architects, realtors, and condominium associations.
Tuckpointing and Mortar Repair
Tuckpointing means removing damaged mortar from the joints between bricks or stones and replacing it with new mortar. We match the new material to the existing wall as closely as possible. Proper preparation matters. New mortar should bond well without damaging older brick.
For a typical residential job, HomeGuide lists an average tuckpointing cost of $500–$2,500. Angi lists a typical cost of $5–$25 per linear foot. Your final price depends on wall size, access, mortar damage, height, and related repairs.
Learn more about professional tuckpointing and mortar repair.
Brick Repair and Replacement
Cracked, chipped, or spalling bricks may need repair or replacement. We look for the cause of the damage before we replace the brick. That cause may include water entry, failing mortar, poor drainage, or movement in the wall.
HomeGuide lists $700–$2,000 for minor to moderate brick repair. We match brick color, size, and texture when possible. This helps the repair fit the original design of your home or building.
Chimney Repair and Rebuilding
Chimneys face wind, rain, snow, and temperature changes from every direction. Damaged mortar, cracked crowns, loose bricks, and failing flashing can lead to leaks or falling debris.
HomeGuide lists $150–$1,000 for chimney tuckpointing or repair, depending on the scope. Larger problems may require rebuilding part of the chimney. We can assess the structure and explain the safest repair plan.
Parapet Wall Repair
A parapet is the low wall that rises above a roofline. It protects the roof edge but receives heavy exposure to weather. Loose bricks, open joints, and damaged coping can allow water into the building.
Parapet repair may cost $500–$5,000, according to HomeGuide, depending on the extent of the damage. We repair or rebuild parapet walls, address water entry, and help property owners meet local requirements.
Lintel, Beam, and Channel Repair
Steel lintels support masonry above windows and doors. When moisture reaches the steel, rust can cause the metal to expand. This may crack the surrounding brickwork or create a sag above the opening.
Angi lists $300–$700 per lintel for replacement. We can repair or replace damaged lintels, beams, and channels and restore the masonry around them.
Stone, Terra Cotta, and Facade Restoration
Chicago has many buildings with limestone, terra cotta, decorative brick, and other historic materials. These surfaces need careful work. A repair should respect the building’s original shape, color, and details.
Our services include stone repair and replacement, terra cotta repair, coping and flashing work, glass block window repair, chemical sealing, caulking, and brick and stone cleaning. We also handle larger masonry facade rehabilitation projects.
Masonry Costs and What Affects the Price
Masonry prices vary because each property has different conditions. A small wall at ground level is easier to access than a tall facade. A few damaged joints need less labor than a wall with deep water damage or failing steel support.
The main factors include:
- The size and height of the work area
- The amount of damaged mortar or brick
- Access for ladders, lifts, or scaffolding
- The age and condition of the existing masonry
- Brick, stone, terra cotta, or concrete materials
- Repairs needed behind the visible surface
- Permit or documentation needs
- Cleaning, sealing, or waterproofing work
For reference, HomeGuide lists $200–$800 for a typical residential waterproofing or sealing application. A full facade rehabilitation project can range from $2,000–$20,000 or more, depending on the building and scope. These figures provide general context, not a quote for your property.
We provide a free estimate after reviewing the work. We explain what we find, separate urgent repairs from optional improvements, and give you a clear plan. We do not use scare tactics or push work that your property does not need.
How Our Process Works
Our process is simple and direct.
- Contact our team. Call us or use our contact page to describe the problem.
- Schedule an assessment. We review the affected masonry and look for signs of water entry, movement, or structural damage.
- Discuss the findings. We explain the condition of the brick, mortar, stone, chimney, or facade in clear terms.
- Receive a free estimate. The estimate outlines the recommended work and expected scope.
- Plan the repair. We discuss timing, access, permits, materials, and site protection.
- Complete the masonry work. Our own team performs the repair with care and attention to detail.
- Review the finished project. We clean the area and discuss follow-up service if needed.
Property managers and commercial owners may also need permits, inspection records, or documentation for a city violation. We can help coordinate the masonry work and required paperwork. Our experience includes work for management companies, general contractors, architects, and condo associations.
Why Property Owners Choose Casey Tuckpointing
We believe trust comes from doing the work correctly and communicating clearly. Our family business has served Chicago since 1994. That long history gives us experience with old brick, modern construction, historic details, and the damage caused by local weather.
Our customers choose us for several reasons:
- We are family-owned and operated.
- We are licensed and fully insured.
- We do not subcontract our work.
- We offer free estimates.
- We provide reasonable pricing and clear recommendations.
- We handle residential, commercial, and industrial masonry.
- We offer follow-up service when needed.
- References are available upon request.
- We hold a 5.0 Google rating with more than 86 reviews.
You can learn more about our background on our About Casey Tuckpointing page or read our guide to choosing a Chicago masonry contractor.
Areas We Serve
We serve Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, including:
- Skokie
- Evanston
- Glenview
- Norridge
- Lincolnwood
- Elmwood Park
- Nearby Chicago-area communities
Our team understands the construction styles and weather concerns found across the region. Whether you own a brick bungalow, a multi-unit building, a commercial property, or a historic facade, we can review the masonry and discuss the next step.
Contact Casey Tuckpointing
Do not wait for a small masonry problem to become a larger one. Chicago’s freeze-thaw cycles can continue to open weak joints and cracks. A professional assessment can help you plan repairs before water reaches more of the wall.
Call Casey Tuckpointing at (847) 962-6309 for a free estimate. You can also email us at info@caseytuckpointing.com or use our contact page.
Casey Tuckpointing
3637 N Luna Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
Mon–Fri: 7AM–6PM
Saturday: 7AM–2PM
Sunday: Closed
You can also view our Yelp profile, BBB profile, or Google Maps listing. With Casey Tuckpointing, you get experienced local masonry work, honest guidance, and personal accountability from a team that has served Chicago since 1994.