Des Plaines has a prewar core near the original downtown and a large amount of 1950s and 60s brick ranch housing around it.
The postwar brick homes are our bread and butter here: sixty-plus year old mortar, chimneys with failed crowns, and original front steps that have taken decades of salt and are now crumbling at the tread edges and uneven underfoot.
Near the river, there is an additional factor. Areas that see repeated flooding or high groundwater get chronic moisture at the base of the wall, and that shows up as persistent efflorescence, mortar that has gone soft near grade, and spalling in the lower courses. Repointing that section without dealing with the water means doing it again. We will look at grading, downspout discharge and any hardscape pitched toward the house, because in a lot of cases those are the actual fix and they cost far less than masonry work.
Closer to downtown there are older two-flats and small multifamily buildings, where lintel work and repointing usually go together.
What we typically see in Des Plaines
- Prewar homes and brick bungalows near the original downtown
- Heavy 1950s and 60s brick ranch construction
- Older two-flats and small multifamily buildings
- Flood-prone areas near the Des Plaines River, where moisture problems are more common
Services we offer in Des Plaines
Tuckpointing & Repointing
Cut out failing mortar, repoint with a color-matched mix, stop the water.
Learn moreBrick & Masonry Repair
Spalled brick swapped out, cracks tracked to the cause, walls rebuilt when they need it.
Learn moreChimney Repair & Rebuilds
Crowns, flashing, and full rebuilds from the roofline up. The wettest, hardest-working masonry on the house.
Learn moreCaulking & Sealant Replacement
The cheapest water-intrusion fix there is, and the one most often skipped.
Learn morePatio, Paver & Walkway Rebuilds
Sunken, heaved and pitched-the-wrong-way hardscape, taken up and relaid on a proper base.
Learn moreLintel Replacement
Rusting steel above your windows expands with real force. Cracked brick above an opening usually starts here.
Learn moreStep & Stoop Rebuilds
The first thing every visitor touches, and usually the most weather-beaten masonry on the property.
Learn moreStone & Limestone Restoration
Greystone facades, limestone sills and stone trim, repaired with materials that will not harm the stone.
Learn moreMasonry Cleaning & Power Washing
Pressure and chemistry matched to the material. Brick is easy to clean and easy to ruin.
Learn moreMasonry Waterproofing
Keep water out of the wall without sealing moisture inside it. The distinction matters a great deal.
Learn moreNeighborhoods we cover
- Downtown Des Plaines
- Cumberland
- Riverview
- Big Bend
- Forest Elementary neighborhoods
- Oakton corridor
Common questions
Does flooding near the river affect masonry?
It can. Repeated saturation at the base of a wall drives efflorescence and accelerates mortar failure near grade, and it is worth addressing drainage alongside the masonry.
Do you rebuild front steps?
Regularly in Des Plaines. A lot of the postwar stock still has original steps that are now spalled and uneven.