We Started Out As A Tuckpointing Company

Most people know Leonard & Sons as Chicagoland’s number one chimney experts, however this is not how we got our start. Our company started out as a tuckpointing business back in 1966. Through the years we’ve expanded our tuckpointing business to include chimney services as well. Although today we are well known and respected for offering knowledgeable and honest chimney services, we still offer tuckpointing services for all types of masonry, not just chimneys. The reason we do this is because of history. Not only is the history of our company rooted in tuckpointing homes and business buildings, but we want to keep the history of our wonderful city alive by offering services that help restore and strengthen it’s beautiful older buildings.

Have you ever seen an old brick home or building that is starting to look worn out and crumbly. Buildings like this can be an eyesore and are a safety hazard. Oftentimes when buildings get to this point, some people think that their best option is to tear down the building and rebuild. However, there is also the option of using technique called tuckpointing to try and save the building’s masonry as well. At Leonard & Sons, we have over 50 years of experience revitalizing brick and stone masonry using tuckpointing. Let us tell you how we can help you save your old, worn out masonry.

What is tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing is the process of carefully removing old and crumbling mortar from between brick or stone masonry and replacing it with new mortar. Once the new mortar is packed in, it is smoothed over. This gives the old masonry a new lease on life by making it stronger and look beautiful again.

Another benefit of tuckpointing is that it helps to keep water from entering your brickwork. Old mortar joints do not prevent water from resting on your brickwork. If water pools on your brickwork, it can seep into brick and erode it from the inside out. This problem is magnified in the winter when water freezes and expands, chipping and cracking your brickwork. Tuckpointing will help prevent these moisture issues.

It takes a lot of skill, experience, and knowledge to be a good mason. It takes even more skill, experience, and knowledge to be good at tuckpointing. Although the process sounds simple, removing mortar joints without damaging original brickwork is a difficult and time consuming process. It takes patience, specialized tools, and a whole lot of knowhow to do it correctly. Once the old mortar is out, new mortar needs to be put in place. The new mortar needs to match the strength and color of the original mortar for the masonry to be safe again and for the building to have a perfectly authentic look.

Don’t trust your tuckpointing needs to just anyone. Trust the company that has over 50 years experience with tuckpointing. If your home or building is in need of revitalization, call Leonard & Sons at 847-658-7659 or check us out online to schedule an appointment with one of our expert masons today!