Wood Dale is where we are based, and a good share of our work happens within a few minutes of the shop.
The housing stock here is mostly postwar. Brick ranches and split-levels built through the 1950s, 60s and 70s make up most of what we look at, and that means most of it is now running on mortar that is somewhere between 55 and 75 years old. That is squarely in the range where joints start giving up, particularly on south and west elevations that take the weather.
The other thing we see constantly in Wood Dale is chimney work. A lot of these houses have original chimneys with thin mortar-wash crowns rather than proper poured crowns, and those crack within a decade. Once the crown is open, water runs straight down inside the stack.
Being local means we can usually get out for an estimate within a few days, and if something has come loose after a storm we can generally take a look quickly.
What we typically see in Wood Dale
- 1950s and 1960s brick ranches with original mortar now well past 60 years old
- Split-levels from the 1960s and 70s with brick fronts and frame sides
- A handful of prewar homes near the original village center
- Newer construction south of Irving Park Road with brick veneer and control joints
Services we offer in Wood Dale
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 Wood Dale
- Georgetown Square
- Briar Hill
- Salt Creek corridor
- Oak Meadows area
- Forest Preserve Drive neighborhoods
Common questions
How quickly can you get to a Wood Dale job?
This is our home town, so usually within a few days for an estimate and often sooner for anything urgent.
Do you work on the older homes near downtown?
Yes. The prewar homes near the village center generally need a softer lime-based mortar than the postwar ranches, and we mix accordingly.