Tuckpointing Services in the Chicago Area
Tuckpointing Services
in the Chicago Area
At Corona Craft Restoration, we are your trusted partner in premium tuckpointing services for both commercial and residential properties
With over 20 years of dedicated craftsmanship, we bring expertise and precision to every project, ensuring that your building maintains its structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
What is Tuckpointing?
Tuckpointing is the process of removing deteriorating mortar from the joints between bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar that matches the original color and texture. Beyond the visual refresh, tuckpointing is a structural repair — failing mortar allows water to penetrate the wall, which accelerates brick spalling, interior leaks, and long-term foundation damage.
Most Chicago buildings need tuckpointing every 25–30 years under normal conditions. However, Chicago's climate accelerates that timeline significantly.
Why Chicago Buildings Need Tuckpointing More Often
Chicago experiences 40–50 freeze-thaw cycles every winter. Each cycle forces water that has seeped into mortar joints to expand and contract, cracking the mortar from the inside out. A building in a milder climate might go 35–40 years without needing tuckpointing. The same brick building in Chicago typically needs it every 20–25 years — sometimes sooner on exposed north or west-facing walls where wind-driven lake moisture hits hardest.
If your building is 20 years old and has never had masonry work, it's worth a professional look before another winter accelerates the damage further.
Our team is dedicated to delivering top-notch workmanship, ensuring every detail is handled with the utmost care.
Craftsmanship
With over two decades of experience, we have established a reputation for being reliable contractors who deliver on time and within budget.
Reliability
We use only the highest quality materials and products, guaranteeing a lasting and effective solution.
Best-in-Class
We take pride in our meticulous approach to tuckpointing.
WHY CHOOSE CORONA CRAFT RESTORATION?
We collaborate with leading industry partners to bring you the best solutions for your tuckpointing needs.
Expert Partnerships
Here's why we stand out:
How to Tell If Your Building Needs Tuckpointing
Signs Your Building Needs Tuckpointing
- Mortar that crumbles or feels soft when you press it
- Cracks running along the mortar joints between bricks
- White chalky staining on brick faces (efflorescence — a sign water is moving through the wall)
- Mortar joints visibly recessed more than ¼ inch from the brick face
- Interior water stains near exterior walls after heavy rain
- Your building is 25 or more years old and has never had masonry work done
If you're seeing two or more of these, schedule an assessment before another Chicago winter accelerates the damage.
Our Tuckpointing Services
Whether you're a building manager overseeing a large commercial property, a condominium manager looking after multiple units, or the caretaker of a historical property, our comprehensive tuckpointing services are designed to meet your unique needs. Our services include the following:
ASSESSMENT + CONSULTATION
We begin with a thorough assessment of your property to identify the areas needing attention. Our experts will then provide a detailed consultation to explain the required work and the benefits of tuckpointing.
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PREPARATION + REMOVAL
We carefully prepare the work area and remove the old, damaged mortar with precision, ensuring minimal disruption to the surrounding brickwork.
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APPLICATION
Using best-in-class products, we apply new mortar that matches the original color and texture, seamlessly blending with the existing masonry.
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FINISHING TOUCHES
We finish the process by smoothing and sealing the new mortar, providing both an aesthetically pleasing appearance and enhanced durability.
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Juan and his team are extremely organized, they provide schedules of the work that needs to be done and the work is always completed following those timelines while staying within budget. The work is done correctly according to the specifications submitted by the engineering firm. I wouldn't change a thing — the Board and Management are extremely pleased with CCR. The project that was awarded them is the largest capital project ever undertaken by the Association. We very much appreciate Juan's diligence and his leadership.
The CCR team has done a fantastic job of identifying issues that needed attention, completing the work needed while working closely with the engineering firm that the Association hired to oversee the facade project.
Dan Harvey / General Manager at The Heritage at Millennium Park
Our company needed some tuckpointing work and concrete work on a couple of our properties. The owner, Juan explains the work they will do in detail. I know the job will be completed in a timely manner, they will do an excellent job and will execute the right solutions. I would absolutely recommend Juan and the Corona Craft team!
Corona Craft Restoration does excellent work. They are on time, courteous and professional.
Anne Weaver / Manager of multiple RESIDENTIAL HIGH RISEs in Chicago
The professionalism and interpersonal skills of the CCR crew contribute significantly to the project’s success, as they prioritize keeping everyone informed throughout the process. Their commitment to quality is evident in their detailed work, including concrete repairs, complete concrete coating and painting, railing painting, and the thorough removal and application of a comprehensive membrane system.
I highly recommend Corona Craft Restoration for any masonry needs!
One of CCR's key strengths is their ability to communicate complex engineering concepts in a clear and accessible way, which significantly benefits clients and stakeholders.
Abraham Ferretis / Chief Engineer at The Heritage at Millennium Park
The project was completed on-time and on budget with the highest levels of professionalism, workmanship/craftsmanship and customer service. The firm is led by a man of integrity, honesty and professionalism who knows his trade and customer service extremely well.
Corona Craft Restoration was the contractor for a major and multi-year facade repair and restoration project of a 58 floor high rise condominium building while I was association president.
George B / Condominium Association PPresident
They have completed projects such as masonry restoration, brick repair and replacement, tuck pointing, and general maintenance on the outside and inside of all of our buildings, including underground garage maintenance. They are prompt, perform the work in a well mannered and on time performance, reasonable in cost and explains in detail what and how needs to be corrected, including photos in their proposals. A respected local business for Mount Prospect, who has connections for other services if needed. Happy and glad to continue to work with and do business with Corona Craft Restoration.
Our Condominium Association is made up of 3 buildings with 205 residential units. Juan Corona and his team have been providing services for over 5 years for us.
Alan Cervenka / Condominium Association Member
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between tuckpointing and repointing?
Most contractors in Chicago use the terms interchangeably. Technically, repointing is the broader term — tuckpointing originally referred to a decorative two-color mortar technique. In practice, both mean the same thing: removing failing mortar and replacing it with fresh material.
How long does tuckpointing last in Chicago?
Properly done, it typically lasts 20–30 years. Exposed north and west-facing walls may show wear sooner due to freeze-thaw cycles and lake wind. The biggest factor in longevity is how thoroughly the old mortar is removed before new mortar goes in — surface patching over failing mortar will fail within 3–5 years.
Can tuckpointing be done in winter?
In most cases, no. Mortar needs temperatures above 40°F to cure correctly. We recommend scheduling between April and October in Chicago.
Do I need a permit for tuckpointing in Chicago?
For standard tuckpointing on a private property, no permit is typically required. Exceptions include Chicago Landmark buildings, projects needing a public way scaffold permit, and work tied to a larger engineered facade repair.
