Restoring Chicago Towers, Landmarks & Commercial Buildings Against Freeze-Thaw, Lake Winds & Road Salt
Commercial Building Restoration Experts Serving Chicago, IL
Chicago buildings stand up to some of the toughest weather of any big American city. Winters bring long stretches below freezing, heavy snow and dozens of freeze-thaw cycles that crack masonry and break down sealants. Strong winds off Lake Michigan drive rain and snow into joints and window frames, and road salt spreads chlorides across sidewalks, facades and parking structures. Summers then swing to hot, humid days that make every building material expand. The city also holds owners of taller buildings to a regular facade inspection and repair cycle. When repairs are put off, small cracks turn into leaks, falling-masonry hazards and costly emergency work.
Presto Restoration is a nationwide commercial contractor with more than 25 years of experience restoring and waterproofing high-rise buildings, parking structures and historic properties. In Chicago, our crews work on office towers in the Loop, condominium buildings along the lakefront, lofts in River North and the West Loop, and historic masonry buildings across the city’s neighborhoods. We use proven caulking systems, breathable waterproof coatings and our own restoration products to repair what winter has damaged and protect your building for the seasons ahead.
OUR BUILDING RESTORATION & WATERPROOFING SERVICES IN CHICAGO, IL
Presto Restoration provides a complete range of exterior restoration, waterproofing and consulting services for commercial properties across Chicago, its downtown neighborhoods and the surrounding Cook County suburbs.
Water is the biggest threat to a Chicago building, and it does the most harm after it freezes. Our waterproofing crews seal the whole above-grade envelope, including expansion joints, window perimeters, curtain wall seams, parapets and masonry walls. Every system is chosen to stay flexible in subzero cold and hold up to rain blown in off the lake.
Chicago facades carry some of the most admired architecture in the country, and they take a beating every winter. We replace failed sealants, repoint brick, repair limestone and glazed terra cotta, refinish metal and restore glass. The work stops water from getting in, removes falling-material hazards and helps your building meet its Facade Ordinance requirements.
Road salt is the main enemy of Chicago parking structures. Every winter, cars drag salty slush onto each level, and the meltwater soaks into the concrete until the steel inside rusts and the surface breaks apart. We repair damaged concrete, replace leaking expansion joints and install traffic-bearing membranes that keep salt water out of the slab.
Snow loads, ice dams, ponding meltwater and hot summer sun all wear down Chicago roofs. Many of those roofs can be restored instead of replaced. We repair seams and flashings, fix drainage problems and apply silicone or elastomeric coatings that stay flexible in winter and reflect heat in summer, which can keep a roof in service for years longer while costing far less than a new one.
From the early skyscrapers of the Loop to the greystones and brick buildings of its neighborhoods, Chicago has one of the richest collections of historic architecture in America. Preserving it takes matched lime mortars, careful cleaning and skilled terra cotta and stone repair. We work with owners, architects and the Commission on Chicago Landmarks review process to protect the character of these buildings while keeping them sound and dry.
In Chicago, a leak can hide under snow and ice for months and then show up floors away from where the water got in. Our diagnostic team traces each leak to its real source with controlled water testing, infrared thermography when conditions allow, moisture surveys, drone imaging and hands-on inspection. You get a repair plan based on facts, not guesses.
Why Chicago Property Owners Trust Presto Restoration
For more than 25 years, Presto Restoration has protected commercial buildings across the United States. In Chicago we pair that national experience with a practical understanding of what this climate does to buildings, from freeze-thaw cracking and lake-driven rain to road salt damage in parking structures, and with familiarity with the city’s Facade Ordinance and Department of Buildings requirements.
Our Local Chicago, IL Support Network
Caring for buildings across a city as large as Chicago takes local support. So that owners can cover everything from major restoration to routine upkeep, Presto works alongside a network of specialized Chicago-area service companies.
For everyday upkeep and local facility services, we invite property managers to explore our sister divisions:
Building Restoration Chicago: Hands-on structural repairs and exterior upkeep for buildings throughout the city.
Building Maintenance Chicago: Dedicated to the preventive maintenance that keeps your Chicago property performing at its best.
Building Services Chicago: Your resource for complete, day-to-day commercial building support across the Chicago market.
Recent Building Restoration Projects in Illinois
ILLINOIS PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
Explore commercial building restoration and waterproofing work Presto has completed for property owners in Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions About Building Restoration in Chicago, IL
What types of commercial buildings does Presto restore in Chicago?
Presto restores nearly every type of commercial and multi-story property in Chicago, including office towers, condominium and apartment buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools and universities, parking structures, government buildings and historic landmarks. We work on brick, limestone, terra cotta, concrete, precast, metal panels, glass curtain walls, EIFS and roofing systems.
How does Chicago's climate affect building facades?
Chicago’s biggest threat is freeze-thaw. Water soaks into masonry, mortar and cracks, then freezes and expands, breaking the material apart a little more each time. Strong winds off Lake Michigan push rain into joints and windows, road salt attacks concrete and metal near street level, and hot humid summers make materials expand. Together these forces wear out sealants and masonry faster than in milder climates.
How long does a building restoration project take in Chicago?
Timing comes down to the building’s height and the scope of work. A sealant replacement on a mid-rise building may take a few weeks, while a full facade restoration on a large high-rise can take several months. Because many materials need mild temperatures to cure, most exterior work in Chicago is done between April and November. We phase the work so tenants and residents can stay in the building.
Does Presto handle permits and Facade Ordinance repairs in Chicago?
Yes. Our team manages permit applications with the Chicago Department of Buildings and suburban building departments, and we work with your architect or engineer to carry out repairs called for in Facade Ordinance inspection reports. When a general contractor is running a larger project, we coordinate permitting through them, and owners who prefer to pull their own permits are welcome to do so. Presto carries nationwide general liability and workers’ compensation coverage on every project.
What is the difference between building restoration and building maintenance?
Maintenance is the regular work that keeps a building clean and presentable, such as window washing, pressure cleaning and minor touch-ups. Restoration fixes what has failed. It replaces worn sealants, repairs cracked masonry and damaged concrete, and rebuilds the envelope so it keeps water out again. In Chicago’s climate, restoration protects the structure, while maintenance keeps it looking good between restoration cycles.
How do I know if my Chicago building needs restoration?
Watch for cracked or missing mortar, pieces of brick, stone or terra cotta on the ground, split or loose caulking, rust stains on the facade, water stains inside after storms or during the spring thaw, and white salt deposits on masonry. These signs mean water is getting into the wall. If you have a recent Facade Ordinance report, it is also a good guide to what needs attention first. Call us or request a quote, and our team will respond to help you plan the next step.
Seeing wear on your Chicago building after another hard winter? Tell us what you are noticing, and our team will respond to help you find the right solution.
Call us today at 1-800-785-9927 or click Request A Quote.