Masonry Contractors Chimney Repair | FATHER & SON MASONRY INC.

The Most Durable Building Material, Brick Masonry in Wilmette and Nearby Regions Requires Little Maintenance

Wilmette, Glenview, and Winnetka are all part of one of America’s greenest cities, Chicago.  Building structures with lower operating costs and enhanced indoor environmental quality are extremely attractive to a fast-growing group of corporate, commercial, and private sector buyers. Building performance is increasingly on the minds of those who are looking for a new space, whether that’s to buy or rent. Brick masonry remains one of the most sustainable and durable building materials worldwide. When considering the sustainability of masonry, it is important to appraise its life cycle from a few perspectives. These may range from energy efficiency, recycling options, fossil fuel usage, effect on habitats, ozone depletion, water consumption, general human health, and others.

With an average lifespan of a century, bricks have a tremendous advantage over vinyl’s 50 years, or wood, which can last about 20-25 years. According to the Brick Institute of America, brick manufacturers have dramatically reduced the energy needed to produce bricks down to 1,239 BTU per pound, where it used to be approximately 4,000 BTU per pound, which is significant in the world of masonry.

There is very little waste in the production of bricks, as they are recyclable.  A pound of clay material yields nearly a pound of brick after the water is extracted. Any material remaining during the manufacturing process can simply be mixed into the next batch of bricks. Once in play on the construction site, brick debris is easily incorporated into the landscape or worked into other projects by the masonry contractors throughout the Chicago area, including Glenview, Winnetka, and Wilmette.

The materials needed to produce bricks are abundant all over the globe, making them readily available. The Brick Institute of America notes that most brick is manufactured using materials that are on average only 15 miles away from the production facility, making bricks a very local product for masonry contractors to use. There are at least two manufacturing facilities situated within 500 miles of 49 of the 50 largest metropolitan cities in the United States.

Brick walls are meant to be heavy and dense, so they can absorb external heat and slow its transfer through to the interior. This moderates temperature fluctuations, limiting heat intake through the summer and capturing it over the winter. This “lag time” makes bricks a unique construction material that tuckpointing and masonry contractors favor.

 

Tuckpointing Contractors Chicago | Masonry Contractors

WHEN DOES YOUR MASONRY NEED TUCKPOINTING CHICAGO?

It’s easy to determine whether your masonry in Chicago needs tuckpointing done by tuckpointing contractors Chicago or not. Take a close look at the mortar all over your brick structure. If you notice any signs of cracking or crumbling, it might be an indication that you need tuckpointing in Chicago. Make sure you also look for holes in your mortar and call our masonry contractors in Chicago as soon as possible.

For a thorough inspection, first, wash all surfaces clean. Then simply go around taking a close look. Holes, cracking, or crumbling all point to decay, making it the right time to call our masonry & tuckpointing contractors for expert tuckpointing contractors in Chicago. Remember, finding these issues early on will make masonry restoration easier and less costly.  

If you are relatively new to your home and you don’t know of the last time tuckpointing was done, if at all, do your complete visual inspection and perform the “scratch test.” This is your initial step toward masonry restoration in Chicago to make you confident in your masonry again.

 

TUCKPOINTING CONTRACTORS CHICAGO | Masonry Contractors

GETTING YOUR BRICK HOME’S TUCKPOINTING CHICAGO READY FOR SUMMER – TUCKPOINTING CONTRACTORS CHICAGO

As the weather begins to warm up, it’s natural for people to head outdoors. A great way to stay productive as that happens is to get your home’s masonry in Chicago ready for all that summer heat and activity. While the bright summer sun gives us the opportunity to enjoy months of great outdoor weather, it’s important to prepare your brickwork to take that excessive heat and handle those powerful UV rays, not to mention the humidity. That’s where our masonry contractors come in. A brick home takes a beating throughout the year with intense freeze and thaw cycles that can cause mortar and bricks to spall, which is an industry term for crack, chip, or crumble. If the issue is not addressed by those like the professional masonry and tuckpointing contractors at Custom Masonry Contractors in a timely fashion, summer humidity can exacerbate the issue. It’s a good thing spring and summer offer the best weather opportunities to take care of your masonry repair or tuckpointing in Chicago so that it is all set for the season and the looming winter.

As summer takes hold, it’s time for you to take advantage of the weather with a professional inspection by our masonry contractors in Chicago. So you can simply enjoy the outdoor season without worrying about your home.

 

Tuckpointing Chicago | Voytec Tuckpointing Contractor Chicago

One of the most aesthetic features that a home can have is bricks. However, throughout the years, they need to be cared for and maintained. The bricks and mortar that hold them together will eventually begin to deteriorate. If this happens, it is time to contact your professional tuckpointing Chicago contractors in the Chicago area. Voytec Tuckpointing Contractors is the tuckpointing company you can count on and trust.

CAN TUCKPOINTING BE DONE IN THE WINTER?

Yes and no. The perfect time to have your tuckpointing services done in Chicago is during the spring or fall months where the weather is more temperate. This is usually between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Tuckpointing services are best done when there’s no heavy precipitation the day before or hours after installation. There are times when work needs to be completed so your bricks and home won’t be further damaged. When it comes to professional tuckpointing contractors in the Chicago area, we are the ones that you can trust!

 

Masonry Chicago | W&M Builders & Masonry

Masonry Chicago work is an ancient art form, having been around for centuries and is still used today. The skilled professionals that work in this field have had years of masonry experience behind them. It takes a qualified tuckpointing contractor to match the existing color and pigment to the original concrete used. Age, harsh weather, and sun damage all contribute to significant deterioration. If left unattended, your Chicago building can eventually suffer from moisture in the walls, creating mold and rot and ultimately compromise your whole structure. So hire one of our professional masonry contractors with tuckpointing experience. We will evaluate your building and give you our best recommendation to preserve your building’s integrity of your building for years to come. We will outline our restoration plan along with a timeline and cost. Our customer service reps await your call.

 

Tuckpointing Chicago | Voytec Tuckpointing Contractor Chicago

If you are looking for expert tuckpointing Chicago, Voytec offers exceptional and skilled services. Tuckpointing is a method of restoration for deteriorating masonry on the exterior of homes and commercial buildings. Our experienced masons will remove the cracked and damaged mortar and “tuck-in” new concrete to preserve your structure’s longevity. Damage to masonry work occurs after years of damage from UV rays, harsh weather, and climate changes.

What separates the average mason from the experts is the ability to match the existing mortar color to the newly applied mortar. It takes a keen eye to mix the right pigments and aggregates for a perfect match. Allowing your masonry to continue to deteriorate can lead to water getting into your interiors and causing damage such as sagging beams, rotting wood, and mold 

If you notice your exterior masonry is crumbling and cracking, call Voytec in Chicago for an inspection and remediation. 

 

Masonry Contractors Mount Prospect | Masonry Contractors

Voytec masonry contractors Mount Prospect have expert, experienced masons who specialize in tuckpointing in Mt Prospect. Masonry is an art form that goes back centuries and needs immediate attention when it starts to deteriorate, crumble and fall out. The masonry exterior of your home is what protects the interiors of your house or business. If it is not functioning correctly, you face the danger of further deterioration and costly repairs to your building’s exterior and interior.

Tuckpointing replaces the damaged concrete, and the skill comes in trying to match the original pigment color with the new installation. Not easily done, after years of ravaging winter storms, UV damage, and general wear on your masonry. Our amazing artisans can give your building a fresh look that will stop the deterioration and keep your home looking perfect for years to come.

 

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TWO THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TUCKPOINTING IN CHICAGO

Stone and brick masonry is almost entirely maintenance-free.  Masonry in the form of brick, stone, or blocks can last 100 years or more. However, when maintenance is needed, the most common form of repair is tuckpointing such as that performed by Voytec Masonry & Tuckpointing in Chicago.
What is Tuckpointing Exactly?
Tuckpointing, in general, is a very specialized service that is handled by experts such as the tuckpointing contractors in Chicago at Voytec Masonry & Tuckpointing Chicago. The process itself refers to repairing mortar joints in stone or brick masonry walls. This is done by grinding or raking out the old mortar to a certain depth and then filling in with new mortar. As well, a contrasting colored mortal called a fillet is added to create depth and a new look to the sealed joints.
When is Tuckpointing in Chicago Needed?
When the mortar on your walls appears to be deteriorating and may need repairs, there is a simple test you can do prior to calling masonry contractors in Chicago.  By using a key to rub across the mortar joint, you can see if the powered material becomes scratched. If it does appear scratched the wall potentially requires tuckpointing. Otherwise, a key should not leave any scratch marks in the mortar. The test is that simple but if you’re not sure, you can always call our Masonry & Tuckpointing Chicago. We’ll send a tuckpointing contractor in Chicago and evaluate your brickwork for potential masonry repair.