Tuckpointing & Repointing Services

What is Tuckpointing and Why Does It Matter?

Tuckpointing is the process of removing old, damaged mortar from between your bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar. The mortar joints in your brick walls hold everything together and keep water out. When those joints crack or crumble, water seeps in and causes serious damage to your walls, insulation, and interior spaces.

Most people do not think about their mortar joints until there is a problem. But mortar is softer than brick and wears out faster. In Columbia, MO, our weather speeds up this process. Rain soaks into cracks, then freezes and expands during winter. This freeze-thaw cycle breaks down mortar year after year until your joints are full of gaps and holes.

When you catch mortar problems early, tuckpointing is a straightforward fix that costs far less than letting the damage spread. Fresh mortar seals out water, strengthens your wall structure, and makes your home look better. It is one of the best investments you can make in your masonry maintenance in Columbia.

Tuckpointing vs Repointing: What is the Difference?

Two Terms for Similar Work

People use the words tuckpointing and repointing interchangeably, but there is actually a technical difference. Repointing means removing old mortar and filling the joints with new mortar that matches your existing color. This is the most common type of mortar repair.

Tuckpointing is a specific decorative technique where you fill the joints with mortar that matches your brick color, then add a thin line of contrasting mortar down the center to create clean, uniform lines. This technique was originally used in historic buildings and gives walls a refined appearance.

For most homes, standard repointing is what you need. We match your existing mortar color, remove the damaged sections, and refill the joints properly. The result looks natural and blends perfectly with your wall. Whether you call it tuckpointing or repointing, the important thing is getting your mortar joints sealed before water damage spreads.

Signs Your Home Needs Tuckpointing

How to Know When It is Time

Your mortar joints give you clear warning signs when they need attention. Here is what to look for:

• Crumbling mortar that falls out when you touch it or leaves powder on your fingers
• Gaps between bricks where mortar has worn away, leaving visible holes in your wall
• Cracks in mortar joints that let water seep behind your brick facade
• Water stains on interior walls or ceilings near exterior brick walls
• White deposits (efflorescence) on your brick showing moisture is moving through the wall
• Loose or wobbly bricks that move when you push on them because mortar no longer holds them tight

If you notice any of these signs, schedule an inspection soon. The longer you wait, the more expensive the repair becomes. Water that gets behind your bricks can damage insulation, rot wood framing, and create mold problems. Early tuckpointing stops these issues before they start. We also provide brick repair services if water damage has already affected individual bricks.

How We Perform Professional Tuckpointing

Tuckpointing looks simple, but doing it right requires skill, the correct tools, and quality materials. Cut corners and your new mortar will fail in a year or two. We do the job properly so your tuckpointing lasts for decades.

First, we carefully remove old mortar to the right depth, usually about three-quarters of an inch. Remove too little and the new mortar will not bond properly. Remove too much and you risk damaging the bricks. We use grinders and hand tools to control the depth precisely while protecting your bricks from chips or cracks.

Next, we clean out all dust and debris from the joints. This step is critical because mortar will not bond to dirty surfaces. We use brushes, compressed air, and sometimes water to ensure the joints are perfectly clean before we apply new mortar.

Then comes the most important part: mixing the right mortar. We analyze your existing mortar and match its color, texture, and strength. Using mortar that is too hard can crack your bricks. Using mortar that is too soft will not last. We get the formula exactly right for your specific masonry and local climate conditions.

Finally, we apply the mortar in layers, packing it tightly into the joints and tooling it to match your existing joint profile. We work in sections to ensure proper curing and protect fresh mortar from weather. The result is mortar joints that look great, seal out water, and last for twenty to thirty years or more. For comprehensive care, many homeowners combine tuckpointing with chimney repair services since chimneys need regular mortar maintenance too.

Frequently Asked Questions