"I worked with Dan of Zandstra Masonry on a brick mailbox project and he was professional throughout the entire project. The work was outstanding and most of our neighbors are considering doing the same thing. Fairly priced and completed within promised time frame. There was some confusion on payment terms, but Dan resolved it immediately. High integrity! Would use again for any masonry project."
"Ran the sprinkler in my front lawn, over the weekend of 22 June. Went down in my basement on Sunday, and found a river running through my basement. After determining that it was not a water pipe problem, the only thing it could be was a foundation crack. Called Permaseal on Monday, the 25th, and they had a representative, Jim Burlison, at the house on Wednesday. Jim was very friendly, and examined the entire foundation, not just where the water was infiltrating. He did find a crack in the foundation wall, and we also observed water coming in around one of the glass block windows. The inspection was very thorough, and Jim was very knowledgeable about what the possible causes and the many solutions that they could do. He recommended epoxy injection of the crack in the foundation wall. He also recommended that I try and repair the masonry around the glass block window myself (with some mortar repair or roofing mastic), and see how that would work (Looks good so far!). A solution through Permaseal would have involved digging a sump pit and installing drain tile, which would have been very costly. Since our schedule was very hectic, we could not schedule the repair work until 14 July. The technician arrived promptly on time, at the early end of the time window. I do not recall his name...he was only in the house for about an hour! He was friendly and professional. The work took about an hour to perform, and the area was cleaned up very well after the work was completed. Due to the nature of the epoxy injection, the area doesn't look that pretty, but it is in a closet where we don't really see the wall anyway. However, we were informed that it could be painted to match the surroundings. Overall, Permaseal was very professional, courteous, and knowledgeable about the work they do, and I would not hesitate to call them again for any work we may need in the future. "
"Initially I was looking to get some masonry fixed. Rob came by and pointed out the chimney was in very bad shape. There were cracks in the crown and deteriorated mortar. He provided a quote and a thorough explanation of what work would be done, and followed up with pictures once complete. He was accommodating with my scheduling. He was very easy to work with and it turned out great! Thank you!"
Since 1957, U.S. Waterproofing has been a trusted leader in basement waterproofing and foundation repair, helping homeowners keep their basements dry and foundations strong.\n\nIf you’re dealing with a wet basement, foundation cracks, radon concerns, or a damp crawl space, our team is ready to help. We specialize in basement waterproofing, foundation repair, crawl space encapsulation, sump pump installation, radon mitigation, and drainage solutions designed to prevent leaks and protect your home long-term.\n\nSchedule your free inspection today and see why generations of homeowners trust U.S. Waterproofing.
All Things Basementy! Chicago Basement Systems offers warranted, patented solutions for wet basements, cracked or sinking foundations, nasty crawl spaces, and humidity and mold control issues. \n\nOur Founder, Larry Janesky, started Basement Systems in 1987 and is an inventor, revolutionizing the basement waterproofing, crawl space repair, and foundation repair industry ever since. Our passion is to create a WOW experience for every customer with every interaction they have with us. We work hard to earn your business every day and we look forward to helping you now. I hope that you will give us the opportunity and the privilege to serve you.
Welcome to Best Price Sewer and Plumbing, your number one plumbing contractor. We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and the attention to detail we put into every job we do. Serving all of the CHICAGOLAND area!
With over 30 years of experience, serving the Will county and surrounding area. Master Builders, is your solution for all your home improvement needs. We take great pride in our extreme professionalism, timeliness and superior customer service on every job. We make sure to develop a lasting relationship so that the next time service is needed there will be no question on who to call. Satisfaction guaranteed!\n\n
With over 15 years of combined experience in the waterproofing, foundation repair, sewer, and septic industry, Allied Water Services is well-equipped to handle all your water and structural problems. Our team's extensive knowledge allows us to accurately diagnose your situation and provide a lasting solution. Our motto centers around capturing, stabilizing, and defending against the damaging effects of water. At Allied Water Services, we understand that each situation is unique to your property, and our time-tested concepts have been effective for decades. What sets us apart is our commitment to using only the highest quality products and going the extra mile to ensure complete system longevity. Our ultimate mission is to achieve complete customer satisfaction and provide comprehensive protection with long-lasting results. Whether you're a homeowner or a business owner, you can rely on Allied Water Services to defend you against water-related issues.
As a Licensed General Contractor & Masonry Specialist, with a focus on precision and structural integrity, I provide specialized masonry and restoration services designed to protect your investment. Whether it is a historic restoration or a modern repair, I combine technical expertise with high-quality craftsmanship to ensure your building stands the test of time.\nOur Core Services:\n• Masonry & Tuckpointing: Expert brick and stone repair, chimney rebuilding, and precision mortar matching.\n• Foundation & Waterproofing: Comprehensive crack repair and moisture barriers to keep your structure stable and dry.\n• Demolition: Safe, controlled deconstruction and site preparation for any renovation project.\n• Safety First: I am an EPA-certified Lead Renovator, ensuring all work on older properties is handled safely and legally.
"Shamrock Chimney provided an estimate for our Chimney to Pointed and also to insert a Liner. They quoted a fair price and I agreed to have the work done the same day. That day, I reviewed the work and felt more masonry work was still required. They came out the next day again, and they did additional repair work to Point the Chimney. Overall they did what I wanted at a fair price. My roof was affected during the work, but they helped cover the cost for repairs. Since my roof was brand new, this was required."
Masonry uses units like bricks, cement blocks, and stone with mortar between them. Mortar is generally made of sand and a type of cement. Examples of masonry include the brick or stone on a house, chimney, or freestanding wall. Concrete is a mixture of water, sand, stone aggregate, and other materials, and is poured into forms or moldings. Types of concrete applications include driveways, garage and basement floors, and poured concrete walls in basements and crawl spaces.
Most of the time, you don’t need to seal brickwork and can save that money for another area of home improvement. But if your brick is cracking or you live in an area with a lot of excess moisture (either in terms of rain or freezes), sealing can extend the lifetime of your home. But, make sure you use a breathable sealant, like siloxane, to allow the moisture to evaporate on its own.
No, it’s not recommended to attach shutters to brick without drilling. Brick is dense and built to last, so adhesives and shortcut methods don’t usually cut it. Even heavy-duty glue struggles to hold up over time—especially against wind, moisture, and temperature changes. Most no-drill options are made for materials like vinyl or wood, not solid masonry. Skipping the drill might seem easier, but it puts your shutters—and anything below them—at risk. For a secure, lasting install, drilling is the way to go. It takes more effort up front, but the result is safer and more reliable.
Cutting stone comes with a number of safety hazards. First and foremost, if you’re not comfortable with the equipment required to cut stone, including blades and grinders, you could easily injure yourself. The heavy machinery also poses a risk to your ears if you don’t wear proper ear protection; similarly, you need to wear eye protection to keep debris from irritating your eyes.
However, the biggest risk from cutting stone comes from the stone dust. When breathed in, stone dust can be a huge hazard to your lungs. Always wear a face mask when cutting stone to prevent inhaling stone dust, and thoroughly clean the work area when you are finished.
To avoid injury, we recommend hiring a stone-cutting professional, rather than attempting this job yourself.
Yes, it is normal to see some minor hairline cracks in brick or mortar over time, often due to natural foundation settling. However, not all cracks are harmless. You should be concerned and contact a masonry professional for an inspection if you notice cracks that are getting wider or longer, or if new ones keep appearing. Other serious warning signs that can indicate significant structural or foundation damage include large vertical cracks (especially those that widen as they go up), stair-step cracks, L-shaped cracks, and deep horizontal cracks. Factors like temperature changes, moisture, and structural loading can also cause cracks to form or worsen.
The Manteno, IL homeowners’ guide to masonry services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Need to repoint brick in your home to make your home look fresh and new? Use this guide to repointing brick cost to price out your project before starting.
Door or window lintel replacement costs $400 on average, but there are ways you can save. On the other hand, complicated work will increase costs considerably.
When it comes to masonry versus concrete, it can be easy to confuse the two. Use this guide to learn about the differences in appearance, strength, and more.
Discover the wide variety of masonry materials for your next home upgrade project. Our guide covers the different types of materials to choose from and more.
