Tuckpointing and mortar repair are essential elements to any building restoration. Masonry and brick repair will help restore your building to it’s natural elegance. We use over 100 different coloration and textures for our mortars to ensure you have the closest match to your existing mortar.
Our building inspection process includes a mortar hardness test. We test the compatibility of the existing mortar to make sure the new mortar matches. We use the Mohs Scale of hardness to determine the exact mortar to use.
We take mortar repair and tuckpointing to the next level. Our skilled craftsman have been working with masonry for decades and bring unmatched expertise and knowledge. You can be sure that Building Restoration Corporation will restore your building to it’s desired character.
The art of tuckpointing has been around for centuries. If you are wanting to learn more this masonry technique, you can read more about the history of tuckpointing here.
Our tuckpointing process
Cutting
Before the old mortar is replaced, it needs to be cut out. We use the highest end saws and blades to make sure the mortar is cut out cleanly and properly. Mortar needs to be cut out at least twice the width of the existing mortar joint. This means that a 1/2 inch mortar joint will need to be cut at least 1 inch deep.
Severely deteriorated mortar will need to be cut even deeper. If mortar has been failing and falling out of the brick, it will need to be cut deep enough to hit solid mortar. Only after the failed mortar is cut out can the new mortar be applied.
Repointing
Once the old mortar is cut out, we can install the new mortar. We use customized tools to insert the new mortar in the freshly cut gap between the bricks. This meticulous process is called “repointing”.
Before we can apply the new mortar, we need to perform a mortar test. We use the Mohs Scale to determine how hard the existing mortar is. We want to make sure the new mortar is compatible with the existing brick, stone, and mortar. If the new mortar is too hard, it won’t allow the bricks to expand and contract properly and will eventually crush the bricks. Too soft of mortar will crumble and fail from the pressure of the bricks.
Along with the mortar test, we also do a color match. We have over 100 different colors of mortar that we use to ensure we get the closest match as possible.
Washing
After the mortar has been repointed, tooled, and cured, we then use a mortar wash. This chemical wash removes any unwanted excess mortar and also cleans away the smears. This process refines the look of the new mortar and keeps a crisp appearance. This is the final step in the tuckpointing process
When do you need tuckpointing?
Not everyone knows when tuckpointing is necessary. We have included some examples of when mortar has deteriorated to the point of failure. Some distinct symptoms are:
- Cracked/crumbling mortar
- Receding mortar
- Missing mortar
- Gaps between mortar and brick
- Cracked brick
- Missing brick
- Protruding brick
- Cracked stone
- Spalling brick
- Uneven walls
- Efflorescence
- 20 years since last inspection
Mortar repair and tuckpointing
It is important to address any signs of deteriorated mortar immediately. Loose mortar will lead to moisture infiltration and water damage. Water damage can lead to permanent structural flaws and mold. The sooner you address mortar failure, the easier and cheaper the repair will be. Putting off masonry repairs can have serious and costly repercussions in the future.