Brick Repair & Replacement
Individual bricks fail. We replace them before the damage spreads.
Overview
Brick is remarkably durable, but individual bricks fail — through freeze-thaw spalling, physical impact, lintel failure, or settlement. When a brick face spalls away or a brick cracks through, it's no longer functioning as part of the wall system. Water enters, adjacent bricks begin to absorb moisture, and a localized problem becomes a wall-wide issue.
We source replacement brick that matches your existing material in size, color, texture, and finish — or as close as the market allows. Where exact matches aren't available, we work with you to find the closest option and be transparent about it. Every replacement brick is set in properly mixed mortar and tooled to match the surrounding joints.
Scope of Work
- Individual and section brick replacement
- Spalling brick repair and stabilization
- Lintel and header brick repair
- Brick pillar and column restoration
- Foundation brick repair
- Entry steps and decorative brick work
Quick Answer
Emerald Masonry LLC repairs damaged, cracked, and spalling brick across Chicago and the suburbs. We cut out failed units and reset matching brick in properly mixed mortar so the wall sheds water again. Family-owned, licensed and insured, 40+ years. Free on-site estimates — call (708) 288-1696.
Warning Signs
When to Call Us
01
Spalling Brick Faces
When the face of a brick flakes, chips, or pops off, it's called spalling. It's usually caused by water freezing inside a saturated brick. Once a brick face spalls, moisture enters freely and the deterioration accelerates — the exposed interior is far more porous than the fired face.
02
Cracked or Split Bricks
A crack through the body of a brick — not just the mortar joint — indicates significant stress: settlement, thermal expansion, impact, or lintel failure. Cracked bricks need to be removed and replaced, not patched.
03
Bricks That Sound Hollow
Tapping a brick that sounds hollow compared to its neighbors means the internal structure has fractured or the brick has separated from the mortar bed behind it. It's a failure waiting to happen.
04
Displaced or Leaning Bricks
Bricks that have moved from their original position — even slightly — indicate the mortar bed or wall structure behind them has failed. This is a structural concern that requires immediate attention.
05
Stair-Step Cracks
Diagonal cracks that follow the mortar joints in a stair-step pattern typically indicate differential settlement. The pattern of the crack tells us a lot about what's happening structurally and where the force is originating.
06
Deterioration Around Lintels
The bricks directly above window and door openings are supported by a steel lintel. When lintels rust and expand, they push the bricks above them outward and downward. The pattern is distinct: a horizontal crack or displacement at the lintel line.
Materials We Use
- Replacement brick matched to size, color, and texture
- Salvaged brick for discontinued or historic profiles
- Type N / Type S mortar matched to the surrounding joints
- Stainless or hot-dipped masonry ties where re-anchoring is needed
What Affects the Price
- Number of brick units that need replacement
- How difficult it is to source a matching brick
- Access and height of the damaged area
- Whether the cause (lintel rust, water entry) also needs repair
Every building is different. We provide free on-site estimates so you get a real number for your property — call (708) 288-1696.
Making the Right Call
Brick repair vs. full restoration
Isolated cracked or spalled brick is a targeted repair. When deterioration spans whole elevations along with widespread joint failure, a systematic restoration is more durable and cost-effective than chasing individual bricks year after year.
Past Work
Project Gallery
Brick wall repair — Chicagoland
Brick pillar restoration
Residential entry pillar and mailbox repair
Spalling brick — before restoration
Deteriorated brick façade — assessment
Foundation brick repair
FAQ
Common Questions
In most cases, yes — closely. Exact matches are sometimes limited by what's currently in production or available through salvage. We source from multiple suppliers and work hard to find the right fit. When a perfect match isn't possible, we'll show you the closest options before any work begins.
If the brick faces are intact and only the mortar joints are deteriorated, tuckpointing is the right repair. If the brick itself is cracked, spalling, hollow, or displaced — the brick needs to be replaced. Often both repairs are needed on the same wall.
Cracks in brick masonry range from cosmetic to serious. A crack through the mortar joint only is usually manageable with repointing. A crack through the brick face, or a pattern of cracks suggesting movement — stair-step diagonal cracks, cracks above openings — warrants a professional assessment before repair. We'll give you an honest assessment on-site.
Chicago's freeze-thaw cycle is the primary driver. Water penetrates the brick face — often through failed mortar joints or a saturated wall — and freezes, expanding inside the brick. The expansion breaks the face away from the body of the brick. High-absorption brick in particularly exposed locations (parapets, chimneys, north-facing walls) is most vulnerable.
Get Started
Request a Free Brick Repair & Replacement Estimate
Free on-site estimates for commercial and large-scale residential projects across Chicagoland. Upload diagnostic photos and we'll get back to you the same day.
Phone
(708) 288-1696Other Services
Service
Tuckpointing & Repointing
Stop water intrusion at the source — before it reaches the structure.
Service
Chimney Repair & Rebuilds
The chimney is the most exposed masonry on the building. It shows first.
Service
Masonry Restoration
Large-scale deterioration requires a systematic approach — not a patch.
Service
Efflorescence Removal & Waterproofing
White stains are a symptom. Water in the wall is the problem.
Service
Commercial & Industrial Masonry
Commercial masonry requires a contractor who shows up, communicates, and delivers.
Service
Brick Replacement
When a brick can't be saved, the right replacement disappears into the wall.
Service
Lintel Repair & Replacement
Rusting steel lifts the brick above it. Caught early, it's a contained repair.
Service
Parapet Wall Repair
Exposed on three sides with no roof above it, the parapet fails first.
Service
Foundation Masonry Repair
Where the building meets the ground, water and movement do the most damage.
Service
Limestone & Sill Repair
Stone sills shed water for the whole wall — until they crack and start holding it.
Service
Masonry Caulking & Joint Sealant
The right joint moves with the building. Mortar there just cracks.
Service
Masonry Sealing & Waterproofing
Keep liquid water out while letting the wall breathe — sequence and product matter.
Service
Commercial Masonry Restoration
Large footprints, occupied buildings, and boards that need documentation.
Service
Residential Masonry Restoration
When a home needs more than one repair, a coordinated plan beats years of patching.
Service
Historic Masonry Restoration
Old buildings need soft mortar and a light hand — modern materials damage them.