Masonry services
Tuckpointing, chimneys, brick, block, stone and outdoor masonry for homes and buildings across Chicago and the suburbs. Every job starts with a free estimate.
Tuckpointing & mortar repair
Grinding out worn mortar and packing new joints that match the color and style of your wall.
More about tuckpointingChimney repair & rebuilds
Crowns, tuckpointing, loose brick and full rebuilds from the roofline up.
More about chimney repairBrick & block work
Brick replacement, new walls, steps and porches, matched to the brick you already have.
More about brick & blockStonework & paving
Stone veneer, limestone sills and caps, stone steps, paver walkways and patios.
More about stonework & pavingOutdoor fireplaces, kitchens & walls
Outdoor fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, seat walls and fire pits, plus retaining walls built with real drainage.
More about outdoor living & wallsStructural masonry repair
Stair-step cracks, rusted lintels over windows, bulging walls and rebuilds.
More about structural repairMasonry cleaning & power washing
Brick and stone cleaning, efflorescence removal and power washing that won't damage the face.
More about masonry cleaningNot sure what you need?
Text a few photos to 708-704-8665. We'll tell you what we see and what it takes to fix it.
Text us a photoWhat's going on with your masonry?
Tap what you're seeing. You'll get what it usually means and what we'd check first.
Crumbling mortar
- What it usually means
- The mortar joints have worn out. That's normal after 25 to 30 years of Chicago weather, and it's the most common job we do.
- What we check
- How deep the joints are eroded, whether any bricks are loose, and whether it's one wall or the whole house.
Stair-step cracks
- What it usually means
- Part of the wall has moved. Thin, old cracks can often be ground out and repointed. Cracks that keep growing or bricks pushed out of line point to a bigger cause.
- What we check
- Crack width, whether it starts at a window or door corner, and whether the wall is bulging.
Chimney crown or loose brick
- What it usually means
- Chimneys wear out first because they take weather on every side. A cracked crown lets water straight into the stack.
- What we check
- The crown, the top courses of brick, the mortar, and whether the chimney is straight.
White powder on brick
- What it usually means
- That's efflorescence, salt left behind as water moves through the masonry. The stain is harmless, but the water causing it isn't.
- What we check
- Where water is getting in: open joints, a cracked crown, gutters or a missing cap.
Brick faces flaking off
- What it usually means
- That's called spalling. Water soaks into the brick, freezes and pops the face off. Mortar that's too hard for the brick can make it worse.
- What we check
- How many bricks are damaged, where the water comes from, and whether the mortar is too hard.
Crack above a window
- What it usually means
- Usually a rusted steel lintel. Rust expands and lifts the brick above the window, cracking the wall at the corners.
- What we check
- Rust at the lintel, how far the brick has moved, and the other openings on the house.
Leaning retaining wall
- What it usually means
- Water is building up behind the wall and pushing it out. Most leaning walls were built without proper drainage.
- What we check
- Wall height, drainage behind it, and whether the base has moved.
Sunken pavers or steps
- What it usually means
- The base underneath has settled or washed out. Resetting on a rebuilt, compacted base fixes it for good.
- What we check
- How big the area is, how water drains across it, and what's under it.
Get a free estimate
Call or text and talk to us directly. Photos help: text a few shots of the problem and we'll tell you what we see.
- Call or text708-704-8665
- Emailwjcconstruction2000@gmail.com
- Service areaChicago and the suburbs