Step 1
Deep Grinding
We grind out the deteriorated, loose mortar to the proper depth, ensuring a solid, stable base for the new application rather than a surface patch.
Family Owned in Chicago Since 1992 — 1,000+ Permitted Projects
Chicago Tuckpointing & Mortar Joint Repair
We remove failing mortar, repoint brick joints, and help stop water intrusion before deteriorating joints lead to cracked or spalling brick.
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Or call directly: (773) 286-3560
City of Chicago Mason Contractor Class A (MC5838)General Contractor Class ELicensed & Insured
Warning Signs
Signs Your Brick Needs Tuckpointing
- Mortar joints are cracked, crumbling, or recessed behind the brick face
- Sand-like mortar dust collects on sills, ledges, or the ground below the wall
- Brick faces are flaking or spalling after winter freeze-thaw cycles
- Water stains, damp plaster, or recurring leaks on the inside of the wall
The Problem
Protecting Brickwork from the Chicago Freeze-Thaw Cycle
When mortar joints age and deteriorate, they lose their ability to repel water. In the Chicago area, water gets into worn joints and freezes in cold weather. Over many winters, that freezing and thawing cracks mortar, makes brick spall, and can loosen sections of wall. Repointing worn joints early can keep a wall from needing a rebuild later.
A lifespan of more than 25 years is typical for mortar joints, while brick may well exceed 100 years — so occasional repair of the joints is expected over the life of any brick building.
Repair Scope
Our Tuckpointing Process & Service Scope
Applying surface-level patch materials over failing joints will not resolve water intrusion and will fail prematurely. The old mortar has to be ground out and replaced with new mortar that bonds with the wall and matches it.
Step 2
Joint Preparation
The joints are thoroughly cleaned of dust and debris to maximize the adhesion and lifespan of the new mortar.
Step 3
Repointing & Color Matching
We tuck in fresh, structurally sound mortar, custom-matched to the color and texture of your existing brickwork so the repair matches the rest of the wall.
Clean Job Site
Dust-Control Grinding & Drop Cloths
We grind with vacuum dust-control equipment and lay clean drop cloths to protect your landscaping, walks, and windows from masonry dust and mortar runoff.
Residential
Localized Mortar Repair
From a single failing chimney side to a full bungalow elevation, we repoint only what needs it and match it to the rest of the house.
Commercial
Extensive Structural Restoration
Multi-story and commercial walls, scaffold access, and City of Chicago masonry permits handled by our own crew.
See the Process
Half Ground. Half Tuckpointed.
This close-up shows a wall halfway through the job. Before any new mortar goes in, we grind the old joints out 5/8 inch or back to a solid bed of mortar. New mortar needs that depth to bond with the wall. Mortar smeared over shallow joints tends to pop out after a winter or two.
Owner-led restoration in action: Tuckpointing at 6100 N. Karlov
The Star Standard
Repairs Done the Right Way.
Structural Focus
We grind to the proper depth so new mortar bonds with the wall — no thin surface skim that pops off after one winter.
Color Matching
Custom mortar blending so your repointed joints match your existing Chicago brick.
No Middlemen
Deal directly with the family team doing the work — not a lead-gen aggregator.
01
Sauganash, Chicago · 5 photos
Tuckpointing in Sauganash, Start to Finish
Before: What We Found
The front and side brick elevations of this Sauganash home had worn mortar joints that needed to be ground out and tuckpointed.
During: How We Fixed It
- Ground the old mortar joints out to a uniform depth.
- Tuckpointed the joints with new mortar color matched to the house.
- Washed the walls to clear the masonry dust.
After: The Result
Clean, crisp mortar joints, color matched to the rest of the brickwork.
02
Oak Park · 5 photos
Stone Foundation Tuckpointing
Before: What We Found
The mortar joints in the stone foundation wall of this Oak Park home were worn and failing.
How We Fixed It
- Ground out the old stone joints.
- Tuckpointed the joints with appropriate strength mortar.
After: The Result
Stone joints ground and tuckpointed with appropriate strength mortar.
Three Terms, One Process
Tuckpointing vs. Repointing vs. Pointing
Tuckpointing (also spelled “tuck pointing”) is the most common of three terms used interchangeably in the United States and Canada to describe restoring older masonry joints. When comparing quotes, make sure the damaged mortar will be removed first.
Tuckpointing
The most common of the three terms — the complete process of restoring older masonry joints: grinding out damaged mortar, then tucking in new mortar.
Repointing
In some areas it means the same as tuckpointing, but it may mean only placing mortar in joints without first removing the damaged mortar.
Pointing
Like repointing, it may mean the same as tuckpointing, or only the placing of mortar in joints. Always ask whether old mortar will be ground out first.
Diagnosis
Mortar Problem or Brick Problem?
Look closely at where the damage is. Failing joints and failing brick need different repairs, and many older Chicago walls need some of both.
Mortar Problem: Tuckpointing
Signs: The joints between the bricks are recessed, sandy, cracked, or washing out, but the bricks themselves are solid with intact faces.
Repair: We grind the failed mortar out to depth and repoint the joints with color-matched mortar.
Request a Free Estimate →Brick Problem: Spalled Brick Replacement
Signs: The brick faces are flaking, popping off, or crumbling, or individual bricks are cracked through, soft, or loose.
Repair: We cut out the damaged bricks, replace them with matched brick, and fix the water source that caused the damage.
Crumbling Brick Repair in Chicago →Seeing both? That's common: failed mortar lets water into the brick, and saturated brick spalls in freeze-thaw. Your written estimate spells out how much of each the wall needs.
Owner's Field Guides
Why Does Chicago Mortar Fail—And Why Do Quotes Vary So Widely?
Read our field guides written by owners Voytek Kleszcz and Peter Kleszcz on how Chicago's freeze-thaw cycle breaks down mortar and how to compare contractor scopes.
What clients say
Work that earns repeat calls and referrals.
“I would definitely call them first if I need tuckpointing services again.”
“You can actually trust them.”
FAQ
Chicago Tuckpointing - Frequently Asked Questions
How much does tuckpointing cost in Chicago?
Grinding and tuckpointing in Chicago typically costs between $9 and $25 per square foot depending on wall height, mortar condition, and access. Full-wall restoration on a typical Chicago bungalow ranges from $3,000 to $12,000. Star Tuckpointing provides free written estimates with exact pricing.
How long does tuckpointing last in Chicago's climate?
Properly installed tuckpointing lasts 25 to 30 years in Chicago. The freeze-thaw cycle is the biggest threat to mortar, so the quality of mortar mix and joint depth directly affect lifespan. Star Tuckpointing grinds joints to full depth and uses a mortar mix matched to your building.
Does tuckpointing require a permit in Chicago?
Most residential tuckpointing does not require a permit, but repairs involving brick replacement, structural work, or buildings over 30 feet typically do. Star Tuckpointing holds a Chicago Mason Contractor Class A license and pulls permits when required.
When is the best time of year for tuckpointing in Chicago?
The best tuckpointing season in Chicago is April through November, when temperatures stay above 40 degrees so mortar cures properly. Star Tuckpointing schedules exterior work around the weather and can handle emergency repairs year-round, adding an antifreeze agent to the mortar in cold weather.
Compare before you choose
Got Another Quote? See If They Have the Credentials to Match.
Compare reviews, licenses, and public credentials side by side before you decide.
A Family Name Behind Every Job
Get a Tuckpointing Estimate
Request a free, written estimate. We'll explain the repair scope, materials, and schedule — and we'll be in touch within 24 hours.
Peter Kleszcz, Owner
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