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Preserve the Past. Protect the Present. Plan for the Future.

Subscribe to Brick and Banter—your monthly digest of expert advice, historical insights, and the latest in building restoration.

Outdoor aerial photo of the building during restorations.

Is Your Building Showing Signs of Wear?

Cracks, discoloration, and water damage can compromise structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Without timely intervention, minor issues can escalate into costly repairs.

Expert Guidance Delivered Monthly

  • Tips on maintaining masonry and concrete structures.
  • Insights into historic preservation techniques.
  • Updates on industry best practices and innovations.
  • Case studies from successful restoration projects.
Resources

Lifetime Warranty and Resources

Lifetime Warranty

Our comprehensive warranty guarantees the permanent bond and color stability of your masonry staining project.

Brick Brief-BIA

Access the Brick Industry Association's technical guidance on masonry staining applications and best practices.

Architectural Specs

Download detailed specifications for architects and contractors to ensure proper masonry staining implementation.

Safety Data Sheet

Review complete safety information and handling guidelines for our masonry staining products.

Product Data Sheet

Explore the technical properties and performance characteristics of our permanent masonry staining system.

Topics Tailored to Your Needs

Historic Preservation

Techniques adhering to National Park Service guidelines to restore and maintain historical structures.

Masonry & Concrete Restoration

Methods to repair and refurbish damaged masonry, ensuring longevity and safety.

Building Maintenance

Strategies for regular upkeep to prevent deterioration and maintain property value.

Masonry Staining

Solutions to enhance the appearance and durability of masonry surfaces.

Investigation & Budgeting

Approaches for early detection of issues and accurate project planning.
/ Reviews

Trusted by Professionals Across the Midwest

TNT is the best in the business. They are fair and accurate with quote/bids, they do outstanding work, the team is solid. They communicate well, are efficient and great to work with. We had a major issue with another company not getting the job done up to snuff. TNT came in and helped us a TON in making sure the building was safe and the tuck pointing was done correctly. These folks are 10/10, we couldn't be happier and look forward to working with them indefinitely.

Michael Carbone
246 W. 3rd St, Davenport, IA

TNT Tuckpointing has been our long-term masonry maintenance partner in Bettendorf, Iowa for Chateau Knoll Apartments. They manage our ongoing brick repair, tuckpointing, and exterior masonry maintenance across the property, helping us plan and prioritize repairs based on our annual budget.When an emergency repair came up, their team responded immediately and handled the issue efficiently, minimizing disruption for our residents. They understand multifamily properties, provide clear communication, and offer practical solutions that protect the building envelope and extend the life of our masonry.TNT is a knowledgeable and dependable commercial masonry contractor serving the Quad Cities, and we value the consistency and professionalism they bring to our property year after year.Suffice to say, Josh & his crew are TOP TIER! Highly recommend!

Chateau Knoll
Chateau Knoll

TNT worked on our historic brick building façade. They were very responsive, flexible, and had great communication with us. They accommodated our requests and were very timely in getting our project started and done!

Community Foundation Greater Muscatine
Community Foundation Greater Muscatine

TNT Tuckpointing did a fantastic job for us at Hope Lutheran Church! Great workmanship by a professional and courteous crew. The job was completed as promised on schedule. As they finished their work, their cleanup had the site look like they weren’t ever there! Great group to work with!

Scott Josephson
Hope Lutheran Church

"I've used TNT's masonry staining services twice and was very happy both times! First, they custom-stained new stone to seamlessly match old masonry after a remodel. Then, they transformed a fireplace from gray to bright white, delighting the buyers. I highly recommend TNT!"

Megan Kremer
Skogman Homes

"Thank you for your hard work restoring our church, you all did an amazing job of bringing it back to it's original beauty. Also, thanks for being timely and cleaning up afterwards. We appreciate all that you did."

Building, Council, and Campaign Committees
St. John's Lutheran Church

"We value working with TNT for their high quality work, attention to detail, and collaborative approach to completing the projects on time and budget minded."

Kaylon S.
St. Ambrose University

"The quote was prepared quickly and coordinating for the work to be completed was timely.  Everyone I worked with was professional."

Meredith D.
Iowa Mechanicsville Library

"Our project was complex and on a strict schedule. TNT went above and beyond and the site was left in excellent condition."

Kenneth H.
Iowa DNR, Iowa State Park

"Not only do they do professional, thorough, and great work; but they go above and beyond to ensure that all expectations for the job are met."

Kristina L.
Blair House Owners Association - Cedar Rapids

“TNT has the manpower, resources, expertise, and operational efficiency to complete quality work in a timely manner. They are organized and easy to work with.”

Ben C.
City of Iowa Public Works Department

"TNT worked on our historic brick building façade. They were very responsive, flexible, and had great communication with us."

Moriah E.
Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine
They completed three separate structures. All work was completed on time and work was outstanding quality. Would highly recommend!
Mike T.
National Park Service, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

"It is an excellent family-owned company that does great work. I recommend TNT for any of your building restoration needs."

Tim O.
First Trust & Savings Bank

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FAQs

You can subscribe to the monthly email newsletter through our website or follow the Brick & Banter LinkedIn newsletter for the same content on that platform. Both deliver new articles as soon as they are published.

Yes. Brick & Banter regularly features detailed project walkthroughs with photography, and many clients have dedicated portfolio pages on our website. These cover churches, courthouses, schools, and commercial properties across our four-state service area.

Look for a contractor that self-performs all masonry restoration work with its own crews, carries a meaningful track record on commercial and historic buildings, provides a written warranty, and can show documented project results. We have over 30 years of experience, a 20+ person team, and self-perform every project.

Water enters mortar joints and porous masonry, then expands as it freezes, cracking joints and spalling brick or stone faces. Repeated cycles progressively worsen the damage, making early repair far less costly than deferring maintenance.

Our primary season runs from mid-February through the end of November, when temperatures support proper mortar curing. Some off-season work is possible depending on conditions, so it is worth reaching out early to discuss scheduling and phasing.

Grant and tax credit programs for historic restoration do exist at both the state and federal level, and eligibility varies by property type, location, and historic designation. We have extensive experience with historic projects and can help owners understand what their building may qualify for.

Most commercial masonry buildings benefit from a professional inspection every three to five years, with maintenance performed as conditions warrant. Buildings exposed to heavy freeze-thaw cycling or moisture may need more frequent attention.

All three terms involve mortar joint work, but they differ in scope. Pointing is the original application of mortar during construction, repointing is the removal and replacement of deteriorated mortar, and tuckpointing traditionally refers to a decorative technique using two contrasting mortar colors, though in the Midwest the term is commonly used interchangeably with repointing.

The most common signs are cracked or missing mortar joints, spalling brick or stone faces, efflorescence (white salt deposits), water leaks through exterior walls, and bowing or bulging wall sections. Any of these warrant a professional assessment before the damage compounds.

Tuckpointing is the process of removing deteriorated mortar from masonry joints and replacing it with fresh mortar to restore structural integrity and weather resistance. Commercial buildings typically need tuckpointing when mortar joints show cracking, crumbling, recessing, or when water infiltration becomes evident.

New articles are published regularly, and a monthly email newsletter delivers the latest posts directly to subscribers. Brick & Banter is also published as a LinkedIn newsletter for professionals who prefer that platform.

Brick & Banter covers commercial masonry restoration, tuckpointing techniques, historic preservation, building maintenance strategies, and industry trends across Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. Topics range from technical how-tos to project walkthroughs on churches, courthouses, schools, and commercial properties.