At Lintel, Tuckpointing & Masonry Repair, we do incredible work and take real pride in the lasting nature of our work. But even our world-class services won’t last forever. Yes, even modern materials will fail someday, so it’s no surprise in a city with the architectural history of Chicago that some older structures, and some that were built by cost-cutting contractors, will need brick masonry repair at some point in their lives. It’s only natural.

So, how do you spot the signs that your bricks are in desperate need of attention? Well, the easiest way is simply to call (773) 485-1033 and schedule a free service estimate from the Lintel, Tuckpointing & Masonry Repair team. We can quickly show you all the obvious signs that you have issues. Or, if we find nothing, set your mind at ease and be on our way. It’s as easy as making the call or using our contact form.

If you’re still set on investigating before calling, you’ll want to look for some specific things to determine whether you have real issues. Let’s go over these quickly to make sure you’re prepared:

1. Distended or Retracted Bricks:

Chicago deals with cold temperatures for half the year and that can lead to moisture making its way into the brick backing and causing shifts in the masonry. We call this frost boil and it’s common in older structures. This needs attention before it gets any worse and will require us to remove the bricks and address the backing.

2. Cracked Corners:

Bricks are made from natural substances, so they’re going to crack if they’re impacted or neglected for long periods of time – especially where there’s lots of moisture. If the cracks are vertical, these probably occurred naturally, but you’ll still need to seal them to prevent moisture intrusion. Horizontal cracks are another story. These are sure signs of problems and will have to be replaced.

3. Compacted Bricks:

These are some of the most obvious signs you’ll see when investigating brick masonry. These are signs of big problems as each compacted brick has impacted those around it. These bricks, and their surroundings, will need to be replaced and the underlying cause of compaction found to prevent further damage from occurring.

4. Crumbling, Missing Mortar:

The mortar in your brick masonry is the glue that holds everything together. Without mortar, all you have is a stack of bricks, so when it degrades beyond a certain point that’s all you have left – weight holding things together. That can be dangerous and should be addresses immediately. Repointing is the best solution to this problem and can be done affordably in 99% of situations.

Call Lintel, Tuckpointing & Masonry Repair (773) 485-1033

The signs above should provide you with answers to your brick repair questions. If you find any of these signs on your residential or commercial structure, you should make the call to Lintel, Tuckpointing & Masonry Repair immediately for the best service in the region. You’ll get honest answers and clear pricing – not to mention exceptional results – so make the call now!