Our specially trained journeymen use the best tools and equipment to get the job done. Our workers receive extensive training to ensure the highest quality work.
Masonry Replacement
We offer high quality masonry replacement with well-trained workers with years of experience on the job. Our employees carefully remove cracked and deteriorated masonry. To prevent damage to the surrounding bricks, we use diamond blades to remove only the affected section. Removal of bricks will often times uncover the root cause of the damage and allow us to properly repair and prevent further damage.
Replacement bricks are sourced to match the existing masonry and feathered in to create a seamless replacement and repair.
Lintel & Steel Replacement
The vast majority of our work is caused by deteriorated embedded steel which can hide behind the cosmetic and structural issues within the masonry. This is caused by the steel deteriorating and expanding, leading to damage in the surrounding masonry.
Many contractors ignore this issue and simply tuckpoint the cracked joints. While this may seem like an easy temporary solution, it doesn’t resolve the underlying issue. Further deterioration of the steel will cause the joints to crack again and lead to costlier repairs in the future. To permanently solve the problem, the masonry must be removed and the steel will need to be reconditioned or replaced.
Caulking
We caulk joints per manufacturer specifications and we strive to ensure our work passes all jobsite inspections. We confidently guarantee that our work will last.
Every joint is cut out and cleaned carefully. We install a backer rod to allow the caulk to adhere solely to the edges of the joint. This allows for proper expansion and contraction for the caulk to prevent the caulk from losing its bond within the joint. Even at the cost of additional labor, we prime the joint with manufacturer approved primer which allows for maximum adhesion within the joint. While others may skip this step, we feel this is critical for caulk that will last for as many years as possible. After our team finishes all of these steps, we finally install high-grade caulk meant to withstand even the worst of Chicago weather.
Tuckpointing and Grinding
Proper grinding is a critical step for a long-lasting tuckpointing job. Our workers are trained to safely grind the joint without damaging the surrounding areas and to provide the best repair possible. It’s easy to spot buildings with mismatched mortar, so our team goes the extra mile to match the color and texture of the mortar with the surrounding masonry. It is our responsibility to work with customers to provide the best possible finish for the building.
We grind all mortar joints to the minimum depth of three quarters of an inch or until sound mortar. The joint is meticulously cleaned and new mortar is applied in three lifts to prevent shrinkage cracks. After the mortar has had sufficient time to cure, we return and clean the new mortar.
Concrete Restoration
Over the years, the reinforcement steel within concrete begins to rust and expand, causing the concrete to crack and deteriorate. Often times this will result in the concrete dislodging from the building, creating both an ingress for the elements as well as a safety issue were it to fall.
We start by demolishing the affected concrete to allow for access to all sides of the steel reinforcement. Our team will then either replace the reinforcement or clean and coat it if the damage isn’t too great. Once done, we either patch the concrete or form out and pour new high-strength concrete.
Masonry Cleaning
An important part of masonry restoration and upkeep is cleaning. Our workers use commercial masonry cleaners specifically formulated for the substrates we are cleaning. All types of stone materials as well as various brick and block types are typically cleaned within the scope of our masonry repair work.
We also clean all of our new mortar after it has had a sufficient time to cure.