The Problem
The property manager for this 1985 brick retail strip in Schaumburg’s Woodfield corridor called us after a tenant reported water staining on an interior wall directly behind the storefront facade. Inspection from the exterior showed two distinct problems: mortar joints on the brick portion of the facade were receded 1/2 inch or more across the full 160-foot elevation, and the EIFS-to-brick transition joint on the right side of the building had failed - the original sealant had dried, cracked, and pulled away from the brick face.
Water entering both the open joints and the failed EIFS transition had been tracking into the wall cavity and reaching the interior. The property manager needed the work done without disrupting the tenants operating during the week.
Our Solution
We mobilized Friday evening to set scaffolding across the full facade. All work ran Saturday and Sunday with the building exterior cleared before Monday morning.
The brick mortar joints were repointed with Type S structural mortar, the correct specification for commercial load-bearing masonry of this construction era. Joints were ground to 3/4 inch depth, blown clean of debris, and packed in two lifts. Joint color was matched to the original warm gray tone of the 1985 mortar.
The EIFS-to-brick transition on the right section was the higher priority. We removed the failed sealant completely, cleaned the substrate on both sides, and applied a commercial-grade elastomeric backer rod and sealant system designed for differential movement between EIFS and masonry. The sealant profile was tooled flush with both surfaces.
The Result
The property manager confirmed the interior water staining did not progress after the repair, and a follow-up inspection three months later showed no new staining. The facade repointing eliminated the open joints that had allowed water infiltration across the full elevation. Both repairs were completed within the weekend window without any tenant disruption.
Related: Commercial Masonry Services | Schaumburg Service Area
