Chicago tuckpointing Services

Tuckpointing in Chicago is a vital service for maintaining and enhancing the longevity of brick and stone structures. Tuckpointing involves restoring the damaged mortar between bricks or stones on a building.  At Krisbud Construction, we specialize in providing top-notch tuckpointing services to ensure your buildings remain sturdy, beautiful, and weather-resistant. With years of experience and a deep understanding of Chicago's unique masonry structures, we are your go-to experts for all your tuckpointing needs.

What is Tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing is a specialized masonry repair technique primarily focused on aesthetic enhancement. It involves removing, or grinding, the deteriorated or damaged mortar from the joints between bricks or stones and replacing it with new mortar. Importantly, the new mortar is often a different color from the bricks or stones, creating a contrasting effect that enhances the appearance of the masonry. Tuckpointing is primarily done for cosmetic purposes, although it can also provide some structural reinforcement. Typically when people refer to tuckpointing, they actually mean repointing, which is the act of repairing and renewing mortar joints in existing masonry. It addresses both structural and aesthetic concerns. However, tuckpointing is the more commonly used phrase, so the words are somewhat interchangeable.

Signs Your Chicago Property or Brick Walls Need Tuckpointing

Many buildings in Chicago are very old and thus experience a lot of wear-and-tear over the years. It is important to take a look at your building’s masonry and mortar joints to prevent future problems such as leaks, crumbling bricks, and structural issues. Tuckpointing repairs the mortar joints to ensure a strong and stable masonry structure and is one of the foundational repairs we do as masonry contractors.

• Crumbling mortar or missing mortar

• Visible cracks in the mortar joints

• Water leakage or dampness in walls

• White stains (efflorescence) on bricks

Chicago buildings require tuckpointing and repointing for several reasons that cause mortar and joint damage:

• Rough weather conditions: Rain and snow cause erosion over time

• Temperature changes: With constant changing temperatures, in addition to freezing and thawing cycles, the mortar will damage and weaken over time.

• Damaged structural issues: Leaks that cause water to penetrate the building as well as damage to the flashing system lead to mortar damage.

• Salt from deicing procedures: The heavy salt used for deicing can also corrode and wear down mortar and other aspects of the building.

• Natural wear-and-tear: Due to natural causes and aging of the building, the masonry will worsen over time.

Our Tuckpointing Process

There are three main steps in tuckpointing or repointing a Chicago building. Once the masonry contractor prepares and protects the surrounding area, they will begin with the first step.

• Mortar Removal
  The first step is removing the old, damaged mortar from between the masonry units. The masonry professionals will use a combination of hand tools and small power tools to accomplish this step. They will use a chisel or trowel to scrape off the mortar and then use a grinder to smooth the joints. This is why you will often hear “grinding and tuck-pointing” when a contractor describes the job that needs to be done. To ensure consistent restoration, the contractor will also test the mortar type and depth.

• Joint Preparation and Cleanup
  The joints must be adequately prepared before the new mortar is applied. The masonry professionals will use a wire brush, power wash, or other tools to remove any remaining debris or dust to provide a clean surface. This allows for the new mortar to be properly applied to the joints and ensures a quality job.

• New Mortar Application:
  The masonry contractors will mix the new mortar and match the color of the existing masonry. Then, they will begin the process of applying the mortar into the gaps. They use specialized tools, such as a pointing trowel, to ensure adequate adherence to the masonry and a consistent depth to the joint. To finish, they will brush it clean and ensure an even and detailed application of the new mortar.

Lastly, the contractor will do a final check to ensure that each masonry joint is properly tuckpointed and cleaned up, ensuring a job well done and a satisfied client.

Benefits of Tuckpointing for Chicago Buildings

• Tuckpointing offers several key benefits, including:

• Improved Structural Integrity: Strengthens the masonry and mortar joints of your building, preventing further damage and possible issues.

• Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal: Restores the original beauty of the brickwork, making it look new and well-maintained.

• Increased Property Value: Well-maintained masonry can significantly boost the market value of your property.

• Weatherproofing: Protects against Chicago's severe weather conditions, reducing the risk of water damage and insulation problems.

Tuckpointing for Different Types of Buildings in the Chicagoland area

Tuckpointing can be done on any masonry buildings with mortar joints. Different buildings will use different materials such as brick, stone, blocks, and different mortar mixtures and colors, but a skilled masonry professional can address each building properly. At Krisbud Construction, we tuck point all types of buildings in Chicago, including residential homes, historical buildings and landmarks, commercial properties, apartment complexes and multi-unit buildings.

Tuckpointing in Chicago is very important to preserve your masonry building’s structure and aesthetic appeal. It is important to get your building professionally inspected every once in a while and especially if you have a masonry problem, so that you can address it immediately and prevent future repairs or safety issues.  At Krisbud Construction, we are committed to providing high-quality tuckpointing services in Chicago. We’ve tuckpointed, repointed, and pointed hundreds of buildings across the Chicagoland area and dealt with every type of material you can think of. Contact us today to ensure your masonry stands the test of time.