Author Archives for Steven
About Steven
Owner of SJM Digital Consulting
December 1, 2025 5:23 pm
Published by Steven
Signs Your Masonry Needs Repair in Chicago Chicago’s historic buildings and homes are known for their beautiful brickwork—but harsh winters can take a serious toll on masonry. Freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and ice can accelerate wear, making it important to recognize the signs that your property needs masonry repair in Chicago. 1. Crumbling or Loose [...]
November 18, 2025 5:03 pm
Published by Steven
How Often Should Chicago Buildings Be Tuckpointed? Chicago’s iconic architecture—brick two-flats, classic greystones, historic multi-units, and modern masonry homes—gives our city its unmistakable character. But our buildings take a beating from Chicago’s extreme weather. Between heavy moisture, lake-effect winds, and constant freeze–thaw cycles, brick and mortar break down faster here than in most places. That’s [...]
September 4, 2025 2:00 pm
Published by Steven
The Classic “Common Brick” Living in a city like Chicago, you’re surrounded by brick buildings that have stood tall for generations. From historic brownstones and classic two-flats to modern commercial properties, masonry is everywhere—and it requires proper care to stand the test of time. This reliance on brick is part of the city’s identity. After [...]
August 25, 2025 9:15 pm
Published by Steven
Sometimes it’s the little details that make the biggest difference. Our team recently completed a masonry restoration project for the Winnetka Park District at Dwyer Park, and the results speak for themselves. The project involved restoring the brick and stone columns that frame the park’s entrance sign. While it may seem like a small update, [...]
April 16, 2024 7:04 pm
Published by Steven
When done by the right contractor, tuckpointing revitalizes the appearance of your building and prevents water intrusion, mold growth, and structural damage—common issues that can evolve into expensive headaches if neglected. This means uninterrupted operations and maintenance of your premises’ professional appearance for businesses. For homeowners, it means protecting your family’s health and safeguarding your [...]
April 3, 2024 7:46 pm
Published by Steven
Tuckpointing is essential to the proper maintenance of your Chicago building. Imagine walking down a quaint Chicago street, admiring the rows of historic homes and businesses with an architectural grandeur steeped in history and resilience. Now, picture one of these structures slowly succumbing to the harsh Midwestern elements, its once-majestic facade crumbling away. This doesn’t [...]
March 2, 2023 5:18 pm
Published by Steven
Chicago is known for its robust and diverse communities. Not only is Chicago considered a melting pot, but it is also home to many iconic neighborhoods. With each neighborhood comes new cultures and communities, but the iconic brick homes stay the same. On almost every street in Chicago, you can be guaranteed to see a [...]
December 8, 2022 10:07 pm
Published by Steven
Uncovering The History of Chicago Tuckpointing Chicago is a city steeped in history and culture, with a unique construction style. One of the unique components of this style is tuckpointing – an exterior masonry technique that has been used for centuries to provide strength and stability to buildings. Tuckpointing is still prevalent in Chicago today, [...]
December 8, 2022 8:29 pm
Published by Steven
If you live in or around Chicago and are looking to hire a tuckpointer, then this guide is for you! The search can be overwhelming when it comes to finding quality tuckpointing in Chicago. After all, many companies offer tuckpointing services, and it can be hard to know which one to choose. But with [...]
November 22, 2022 10:17 pm
Published by Steven
Tuckpointing Cost Chicago If your Chicago home is in need of a little TLC, you may be wondering how much does tuckpointing costs. As a Chicagoan, you know that the city is famous for its beautiful architecture. But what you may not know is that one of the reasons our architecture looks so good is [...]