Glen Ellyn has beautiful older housing, a lot of stone detailing, and a mature tree canopy. All three affect the masonry.
The prewar homes here often combine brick with limestone or fieldstone trim, and that combination needs traditional materials. Lime-based mortar, matched joint profiles, and cleaning methods that do not strip the stone. Sandblasting limestone removes the dense outer skin it has formed over decades and leaves a soft, absorbent surface that deteriorates much faster afterward. We do not do it and we would advise against anyone who offers to.
The tree canopy is the other local factor. Shaded north and east elevations dry slowly, which means biological growth: the green and black staining that shows up on walls that never get full sun. It is cosmetic rather than damaging, and it comes off with appropriate detergent at low pressure.
The homes in the outer subdivisions are midcentury and the work there is more conventional repointing, chimney and caulking work.
What we typically see in Glen Ellyn
- Substantial prewar stock, including Tudors and stone-trimmed homes
- Original limestone and fieldstone detailing
- Midcentury colonials and ranches in the outer neighborhoods
- Mature trees and shaded walls, which brings biological growth on north elevations
Services we offer in Glen Ellyn
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 Glen Ellyn
- Lake Ellyn area
- Glen Oak
- Arboretum area neighborhoods
- Biltmore
- Stacy's Corners
Common questions
Do you do stone repair as well as brick?
Yes. Glen Ellyn has a lot of limestone and fieldstone detail, and it needs lime-based mortar and gentle cleaning rather than modern mortar and pressure.
Why is the north side of my house green?
Shaded, slow-drying walls grow algae. It is cosmetic and cleans off with the right detergent at low pressure. High pressure would do more harm than the algae.