Brick & Block Work and Repair in the Chicago Suburbs

Red brick pillars with limestone caps beside new stone steps, built by WJC Construction

Common brick and block jobs

Cracked, broken or crumbling bricks that need replacing
Front steps and stoops that are loose, cracked or sinking
Garage walls with damaged or missing brick
New brick or block walls, additions and openings
Window sills and the brick around them breaking down

How we do it

Measure and matchWe look for the closest match to your brick in size, color and texture.
Remove damaged workBroken brick and failed mortar come out carefully so the surrounding wall stays solid.
Lay it trueNew brick and block go in level and plumb on a full bed of mortar, tied into the existing wall.
Tool and cleanJoints get tooled to match, and the face of the wall gets cleaned of mortar smears.

Brick patterns we match

The way bricks are laid, called the bond, is part of how your house looks. New work follows the pattern that's already there.

Running bondThe most common pattern. Each brick sits halfway over the two below it.

Common bondA row of brick ends every five to seven courses. Seen on many older Chicago buildings.

Flemish bondLong sides and ends alternate in every course. A classic look on traditional homes.

Stack bondBricks lined up in straight columns. Mostly decorative, and it needs steel reinforcement.

What's included

Brick replacement and patching
New brick and block walls
Garage and outbuilding walls
Brick steps, stoops and porches
Window sills and openings
Concrete block walls

What affects the price

Every job is different, so we price it after we see it. These are the things that move the number:

How many bricks or blocks are involved
Finding a match for older or discontinued brick
Access to the work area
Structural work like lintels or footings
Tearing out and hauling away old masonry

Estimates are free.

Questions about brick & block

Can you match my existing brick?

We get as close as we can. Chicago-area homes are built with a wide range of brick, from salmon and red common brick on older homes to buff, red and brown face brick on newer ones. Some older brick isn't made anymore, so we look for the closest match in size, color and texture.

Can you rebuild my front steps?

Yes. Brick and block steps take a beating from salt and freeze-thaw. We rebuild them on a solid base and cap them so water runs off instead of soaking in.

Do you do commercial work?

Yes, including storefront brick repair, tuckpointing and block walls on smaller commercial buildings. Call to talk through the job.

Where we do brick & block

We work across Chicago and the suburbs, including:

Brick & block work