FAQ - Bruno's Tuckpointing Serving Chicago and Northwest Indiana

Frequently Asked Tuckpointing Questions Answered by Mike Bruno

Question:  What exactly is Tuckpointing?
Answer:  Tuckpointing is the process of replacing deteriorating mortar in the joints between the bricks.  Also known as “pointing” and “repointing,” tuckpointing is necessary when the mortar becomes loose, which threatens the stability of the structure it supports.

Question:  How long does tuckpointing last?
Answer:  There is a lot to that question. The first is how was it installed? Did you have proper depth? The second is did you use the right cement/sand mix and strength? Here is a home that my father and I both did over 20 years ago and it is still perfect. Even the colored mortar is still great! We at Bruno’s take pride in ourselves and our workmanship, giving you the highest quality of work at the most reasonable cost. Let us bid your next project and get it right the first time.

Question:  Do you warranty your work?
Answer:  Please contact us for details about our warranties.

Question:  How do I know if I’ve hired a professional contractor?
Answer:  Professional contractors should be licensed.  Union tuckpointers have 4 years of training before they are able to become a professional tuckpointer.  Always check a contractor’s references before allowing work to be preformed.

Question:  Are you licensed and insured?
Answer:  Yes, we are licensed and insured.

Question:  What associations do you belong to?
Answer:  Bruno’s Tuckpointing is proud to be a member of Tuckpointers Local #52, Bricklayers Local #21, Masonry Contractors of Chicago, SSSMA, PICS, MCAA, BAC, and ASA.

Question:  How long have you been in business?
Answer:  We have been in business for 30 years.

Question:  Who are your most notable masonry and tuckpointing clients in and around Chicago?
Answer:  Bruno’s Tuckpointing has done work for The Art Institute of Chicago, Anshe Emet Synagogue, The City of Aurora, The Village of Homewood, FedEx, The University of Chicago, Mount Prospect School District, and many other local businesses, homeowners and institutions.

Question:  Are you in the Union?
Answer:  Bruno’s Tuckpointing, Inc. is a proud member of Tuckpointers Local #52, Bricklayers Local #21, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #6 and Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #4.

Question:  What services does Bruno’s Tuckpointing, Inc. offer?
Answer:  We offer the following services: Tuckpointing, Caulking, Masonry Repair, Masonry Waterproofing, Masonry Restoration, Stone Replacement, Terra Cotta Repair, Chimney Repair, Parapet Repair, and Epoxy Injection.  We provide the above services to residential, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings.

Question:  What causes bricks to crack?
Answer:  There are many causes for cracking.  The most common causes of cracking are expansion, contraction, age, and water.

Question:  Where are you located?
Answer:  We are located in Hazel Crest, Illinois and serve all of the Chicagoland area and Northwest Indiana.

Question:  What does quality tuckpointing look like?
Answer:  Please refer to the examples below:

Example of Poor Tuckpointing

Poor Quality

Example of Quality Tuckpointing

Bruno’s Quality Craftsmanship

Question:  What is a crown sealer?
Answer:  A rubber product used on chimneys to keep water out. Please take a look at the example below: