What this covers
Tuckpointing, or repointing, renews the mortar joints that hold a brick or block wall together and keep water out. The mason grinds or chisels the old mortar out to a depth of about twice the joint width without widening the joint or nicking the brick, brushes the joint clean, dampens it, and packs new mortar in thin layers. The mortar is matched in color and, more importantly, in strength to the original, because a mortar harder than the brick damages it. Joints are tooled to the original profile and the wall is cleaned when the mortar has set. Done as a skim coat over the old joints, the work fails in a few seasons.
When to call
- Mortar that is crumbling, recessed or missing between bricks.
- Water stains inside on a wall behind brick.
- A previous repair that is cracking or falling out.
- Chimney joints that are open above the roofline.
What to expect
- Test and matchJoint depth, mortar hardness and color are checked and a matching mix made.
- Cut outOld mortar is removed to depth, and the joints cleaned of dust and dampened.
- RepointMortar is packed in layers and tooled to match the original joint.
- Cure and cleanJoints are protected while they cure, then the wall is cleaned of haze.
Get a certified company
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Questions people ask
How deep is the old mortar removed?
Roughly twice the width of the joint, often about three quarters of an inch, so the new mortar has enough depth to bond and stay put.
Why not just smear new mortar over the old?
A thin coat over failed mortar has nothing to grip and pops out within a few winters. Cutting to depth is what makes repointing a repair rather than a cosmetic patch.
Does the whole wall need it?
Usually not. Joints fail where water hits hardest: parapets, chimneys, under sills and at grade. The mason repoints the failed areas and matches them to the rest.
Related: Brick repair · Chimney repair · Stone masonry repair · All concrete and masonry
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