Brick is a beautiful and durable choice for so many projects. From entire homes to retaining walls, from fireplaces to patios, brick produces a unique look with clean lines. But like all building materials, brick and mortar are susceptible to wear and tear, particularly if used in an exterior wall.
Wind, rain, or extreme changes in temperature can cause small cracks and other imperfections that can eventually lead to much larger structural problems. Luckily, there’s a simple solution that, if utilized in a timely fashion, can prevent you from needing full wall replacement – tuckpointing.
What is tuckpointing?
Tuckpointing is an extremely common technique in which mortar between bricks in an existing structure is scraped away so it can be replaced with a fresh batch. Depending on the size of the job and fragility of the job, masons may elect to use a simple hand and chisel, while other instances may call for grinders or other power tools to remove the existing mortar.
But tuckpointing doesn’t just make a wall look better – it actually improves its structural integrity. When mortar begins to degrade, cracks and holes can appear inviting in a slew of problems, most particularly water.
Additionally, without the proper support between bricks, they may begin to shift and/or settle, which can eventually lead to entire walls crumbling! Not only is that cost, but it’s downright unsafe!
Shoring up the mixture between the bricks strengthens any weak points in the wall, even those that may not have been visible to the naked eye. It also renews the barrier between the exterior and interior of the building, meaning you won’t have any unwanted water or weather intruding.
Signs You May Need Tuckpointing
The signs of tuckpointing can be obvious, but also very time sensitive. If you notice loose bricks, or mortar with major cracks, flaking, or that is downright crumbling from between the bricks, chances are you are in desperate need of tuckpointing. Not sure? Run your finger along the joints and if you notice mortar crumbling beneath your finger, you have to act quickly.
These structures can deteriorate rapidly once weak points are introduced, especially in areas prone to high levels of precipitation or overall humidity.
Cost Savings of Tuckpointing
It’s far cheaper to pay for proper tuckpointing as soon as you spot issues rather than wait and risk paying for an entire wall replacement. Addressing problems early will limit both the amount of labor and materials required to quickly repair the compromised areas. However, it’s important to remember that the labor that is required can be tedious and specialized. In other words, waiting too long means you could quickly reach a point of no return in which tuckpointing costs you more than a replacement – if it’s even impossible! In other words, act fast.
Call a Masonry Expert
Scrape out some mortar and throw some fresh in. Sounds simple, right? Why not just let the homeowner do it themselves? While it may seem simple on the surface, tuckpointing requires advanced knowledge of materials, design, specialized tools, and load that should be addressed by a masonry construction expert.
By doing it yourself, you risk making the problem worse, meaning it will require even more time – and money – to fix it. Save yourself the headache and reach out to the experts from the start.
Tuckpointing Done Right: Masonry Repairs That Last
While brick is a durable and lasting building choice, even if it is not impervious to the beating of weather and time. Eventually, you’ll likely notice cracks, crumbles, or shifting in your brick wall that will compromise the entire structure over time. When these signs arise, it’s time for tuckpointing. But don’t just trust anyone for this specialized task.
Give Primo Contracting in Rochester Hills a call at the first sign of trouble and we’ll take care of it. Our masonry and construction services are known throughout the Metro area for fast response times, quality craftsmanship and repairs that last.