Premium Masonry Renovation & Historical Restoration on the North Side of Chicago, IL
Is your property showing signs of age, weathering, or structural wear? General Masonry Construction specializes in high-end masonry renovation and restorative services that breathe new life into residential and commercial buildings. Based in Northbrook, we serve the entire North Shore and Chicago area, helping property owners increase their market value and curb appeal through expert craftsmanship.
From historical building restoration to modernizing outdoor living spaces, our team ensures your structure is as durable as it is beautiful.
Exterior Restoration & Maintenance
The exterior “envelope” of your property is its first line of defense and its most important aesthetic feature. We specialize in comprehensive renovation for stone and brick elevations, prioritizing structural longevity and curb appeal. The Illinois freeze-thaw cycle and urban pollutants can rapidly degrade masonry; our services are designed to reverse that damage.
- Elevation & Facade Renovation: From replacing cracked individual bricks to restoring damaged natural stone, we ensure a safe, uniform, and high-end appearance for your home or business.
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Professional Tuckpointing Services: We restore the structural stability of your walls by expertly removing failing mortar and replacing it with color-matched, high-quality material. This prevents water infiltration and “brick bulging.”
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Deep Clean Power Washing Elevation: Over time, dirt, mold, and pollutants mask the beauty of your stone or brick. Our specialized power washing techniques safely remove buildup, prepping the surface for sealing or simply revealing the original luster of your facade
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Historical Building Restoration: We utilize specialized techniques and materials to preserve the architectural integrity of historic Chicago and North Shore properties, ensuring they meet modern standards while keeping their classic charm.
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Stone Veneer & Brick Upgrades: Transform your exterior with high-quality
natural stone veneer
Masonry Chimney Restoration & Safety
A deteriorating chimney is a significant safety hazard and a leading cause of hidden water damage. Our professional masonry chimney restoration services go beyond simple aesthetics to ensure your venting system is structurally sound, fire-safe, and completely water-tight. We protect your investment by addressing issues before they require a full teardown.
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Complete Chimney Rebuilding: When structural damage is extensive, we provide expert rebuilding from the roofline up. We use period-correct bricks and specialized mortars to ensure your new chimney matches the historical or modern character of your home perfectly.
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Precision Tuckpointing & Crown Repair: Water is a chimney’s worst enemy. Our chimney crown restoration and precision tuckpointing stop moisture at the source. by repairing cracked crowns and failing mortar joints, we provide a permanent leaking chimney fix that prevents interior water stains and masonry spalling.
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Chimney Waterproofing & Sealing: To extend the life of your restoration, we offer professional-grade breathable sealants. This essential maintenance step protects your masonry from the harsh Illinois freeze-thaw cycles without trapping damaging moisture inside the brick.
Structural Repairs: Lintel Replacement & Stability
Visible cracks above windows or “bulging” brickwork are often signs of structural steel failure. We provide expert structural masonry repairs and professional lintel replacement to stabilize your property and prevent costly wall collapses. Our team identifies the root cause of movement to ensure your home’s skeleton remains secure for decades.
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Professional Lintel Replacement & Repair: Rusting steel supports (lintels) expand, causing “brick heaving” and structural instability. We specialize in the removal of failing beams and the installation of new, industrial-grade primed and painted steel lintels to restore the integrity of your window and door openings.
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Emergency Brick Bulging Solutions: If you notice your exterior walls bowing or leaning, our structural anchoring and reinforcement services provide immediate stability. We use advanced masonry tying systems to reconnect your brick veneer to the building’s frame, stopping further movement.
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Comprehensive Structural Masonry Repairs: From stabilizing deteriorating foundations to repairing cracked retaining walls, we are the trusted structural masonry contractor for complex residential and commercial projects. We ensure every repair meets or exceeds local Illinois building codes.
Luxury Outdoor Living Renovations
Extend your living space outdoors with our custom hardscape renovation services. We specialize in creating functional outdoor environments that stand the test of time.
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Patio & Pool Deck Upgrades: We replace outdated surfaces with premium
Porcelain pavers -
Staircase & Entryway Restoration: We rebuild and repair
Limestone Bluestone steps
Why Choose General Masonry Construction for Your Renovation?
As a top-rated masonry contractor in Northbrook, we understand that every project is unique. We provide a customized approach tailored to your property’s specific needs.
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Comprehensive Planning: We guide you from pre-construction design to the final stone placement.
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Expert Craftsmanship: Our masons are licensed, bonded, and fully insured, bringing two decades of experience to every job site.
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Winner of 10 Houzz Awards: A decade of recognized excellence in service and design on the North Shore.
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20+ Years of Local Experience: We understand the unique requirements of Lake Forest’s building codes and historic preservation standards.
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Architectural Collaboration: We work seamlessly with architects and designers to bring complex new construction and renovation visions to life.
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Bonded, Licensed, & Fully Insured: Peace of mind for every project, backed by a BBB-accredited team.
Don’t wait until minor damage becomes a major expense.
General Masonry Construction 824 Waukegan Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: (847) 317-0668
Frequently Asked Questions: Masonry & Restoration
Q: How do I know if my building needs tuckpointing? A: Look for “recessed” mortar joints, white powdery residue (efflorescence), or hairline cracks between bricks. If you can scrape the mortar away with a fingernail or see gaps where water can enter, it’s time for professional tuckpointing services to prevent structural water damage.
Q: Why is my exterior brick bulging or leaning? A: This is often a sign of “lintel failure” or internal wall ties rusting and snapping. When the steel supports above windows rust, they expand and push the brickwork out. Our emergency brick bulging solutions involve replacing these lintels and re-anchoring the masonry to the building’s frame.
Q: Can power washing damage my historic brick elevation? A: If done incorrectly with too much pressure, yes. However, our power washing elevation process uses calibrated pressure and specialized cleaners designed specifically for masonry. We remove decades of carbon buildup and pollutants without damaging the “face” of the brick or the integrity of the mortar.
Q: What causes a chimney crown to crack? A: In Illinois, the freeze-thaw cycle is the main culprit. Water seeps into small pores in the concrete crown, freezes, and expands. Our chimney crown restoration uses flexible, waterproof membranes that move with the temperature changes, providing a long-term leaking chimney fix.
Q: How long does a typical masonry restoration project take? A: Timeline varies by scale, but most residential tuckpointing or lintel repairs are completed within 3–7 business days. As a leading structural masonry contractor, we provide a clear project timeline during your initial consultation to minimize disruption to your home.
