Chicago masonry guides — answer-first reference.
Five short reference pieces for Chicago masonry — what a lintel is, what tuckpointing and repointing mean (and when they're different), how to read the signs your brick wall needs repair, a vocabulary of the trade, and a per-service cost guide. All written to be cited from, not skimmed.
- Licensed
- Bonded
- Insured
- License TGC-098-734
- Est. 2014
- Reference library
Pick your question.
Each guide answers a single core question and links to the service page that handles the work.
What is a lintel?
Complete reference — types (steel/stone/concrete), signs of failure, the 7-step replacement process, cost ranges and Chicago Facade Ordinance scope.
Guide · comparisonTuckpointing vs repointing
The honest answer — in modern Chicago practice they're synonymous. The historic distinction is real but rare in the field today.
Guide · diagnosticSigns your brick needs repair
The early warning signs — spalling, mortar dust, hairline cracks, efflorescence. What to check before calling a professional.
Reference · 30 termsMasonry glossary
Wythe, mortar types, collar joint, parapet, soffit — the trade vocabulary, each term a single short definition.
Cost · all servicesChicago masonry cost guide
Per-service ranges across all five trades, neighborhood spread, the permit question, Facade Ordinance scope.
DirectNot finding it?
Send the question. We answer same day during business hours and the answer probably lands in the next guide update.
Which guide should I read first?
I'm not sure what's wrong with my wall — which guide should I read first?
Start with Signs Your Brick Needs Repair — it walks the early warning signs and ties each one to a likely cause. If you've already seen diagonal cracks above a window or rust streaks from a steel piece, jump to the Lintel Guide instead.
What's the difference between tuckpointing and repointing?
In modern Chicago practice, tuckpointing and repointing are the same trade — grinding out failed mortar joints and replacing them with fresh, matched mortar. The historic distinction is real but rare in the field today. The vs-repointing guide covers both meanings.
Where do I find the cost ranges?
The cost guide consolidates per-service ranges across all five 312 Masonry trades — tuckpointing, brick repair, restoration, commercial facade and brick pavers — plus neighborhood differences, the permit question and Facade Ordinance scope.
Do I need a permit for tuckpointing in Chicago?
Most residential tuckpointing in Chicago does not require a permit. Permits apply for buildings 80 feet and taller (Facade Ordinance scope), addresses inside a Chicago Landmark district, and any structural work. The cost guide has the full answer.
What does "wythe" or "collar joint" mean?
Those are masonry trade terms. A wythe is a continuous vertical section of wall one masonry unit thick; a collar joint is the vertical mortar joint between two wythes in a multi-wythe wall. The masonry glossary defines those and 25+ other terms used across our guides and quotes.
Are these guides written for homeowners or contractors?
Both. The guides are written to be readable by a homeowner or condo board member who wants to understand what's happening on their wall, while being technically correct enough to be cited by another tradesperson. Each definition and number is sourced from working Chicago masonry practice.
The work behind the words.
Tuckpointing
Matched mortar, tooled joints, 25–30 year service life.
ServiceBrick repair
Spalled, broken, displaced brick. Steps and porches.
ServiceMasonry restoration
Historic greystones, limestone bands, mansion restoration.
ServiceCommercial & facade
Facade Ordinance critical-exam repair, parapet, lintel.
ServiceBrick pavers
Patios, walkways, driveways, retaining walls, stone veneer.
AreasService areas
Seven Chicago North Side neighborhoods — Lincoln Park primary.
Read first, then call.
The guides are the reference. The quote is the read of your wall.