Brick Repair in Central Illinois

Recognize the Signs of Masonry Deterioration

The following signs usually mean it’s time to call a masonry repair contractor:

• Crumbling joints: Look for chalky residue, sand, or missing sections between your bricks.
• Visible wall cracks: Note any stair-step fractures tracking along the mortar lines.
• White surface staining: Identify efflorescence as a clear warning of trapped moisture inside the wall.
• Interior moisture: Check your interior drywall for unexpected dampness or sudden drafts.

Tailored Solutions From a Trusted Masonry Repair Contractor

We offer honest, clear assessments with targeted repair services for the following.

Brick Tuckpointing

The process of tuckpointing or brick repointing involves carefully extracting crumbling, weather-damaged mortar and packing the joints with a fresh mix to seal and protect your exterior. It is needed because mortar is intentionally softer than brick and naturally wears down faster. When mortar recedes or crumbles, it allows water to penetrate the wall, which can lead to interior leaks, structural shifting and brick spalling.

To fix this, Force Masonry Construction first uses precision tools to safely grind out the old, failing mortar to a consistent depth. We then hand-pack high-quality, fresh mortar into the cleaned joints, making sure we match the strength, texture, and color of the original material to restore the wall’s weather seal and structural integrity.

Brick Replacement

Brick replacement is the removal of individually cracked, shattered or spalling bricks and swapping them with structurally sound units. It is needed when water damage or impact has compromised the brick itself, progressing beyond mortar failure. We provide this service by carefully extracting the compromised units without disturbing the surrounding wall structure. We then source historically accurate, matched replacement bricks and set them with appropriate mortar.

Brick Reinforcement

Brick reinforcement involves strengthening and stabilizing masonry structures that have begun to bow, lean, or shift under pressure. It’s necessary when the sheer weight of a building, settling soil or advanced age causes a foundation or retaining wall to lose its structural integrity, creating a safety hazard.

We approach reinforcement by diagnosing the cause of the movement and applying targeted structural support, such as installing steel ties, anchors, or rebuilding compromised sections, to halt the shifting and re-secure the building’s foundation.

Window Area Repairs

Window area repairs address the common but often misdiagnosed cracks that form in the brickwork around windows. This repair is needed because the beam carrying the weight of the bricks above the opening, also known as the steel lintel, can corrode and expand, pushing the surrounding masonry out of alignment.

We fix this by temporarily supporting the wall, removing the displaced bricks, extracting the rusted steel lintel, and installing a new steel beam before relaying the masonry.