Tuckpointing is a repair process that involves removing the crumbling old mortar between bricks and replacing it with new mortar. It is beneficial for the structural integrity of your home, the prevention of further erosion and water damage, as well as the home’s curb appeal. If you decide to tuckpoint the mortar yourself, it isn’t too hard if you prepare the area and purchase or rent the correct tools. While the process isn’t necessarily hard, it is time consuming and requires some specialized tools. The benefit of this project is that you can do it in small sections as time allows, or set aside a large window of time to do the entire project.

However, if you put off tuckpointing, crumbling areas of mortar the problem will grow over time. Whether you do the job yourself or hire a contractor, make sure not to wait too long. Keep in mind that if you are only doing a section of wall or fireplace, the new mortar won’t match the old mortar until it weathers naturally over time.

Buying or renting the correct tools for the job will save you time and effort later.

You will need an angle grinder, a brick trowel, a tuck pointer, a masonry jointer or a joint raker, a hammer and chisel for small projects or a drill with a flat chisel for faster work, and of course mortar. Safety goggles, a dust mask, a stiff bristled brush, and a bucket will also come in handy for this project. You will also benefit from putting down drop cloths to make cleanup easy. For very large sections that will take more than one day, it will probably be more economical to buy tools instead of renting.

The first step to tuckpointing is to use the angle grinder to cut out the old mortar ¾ inch in. It helps to start at the outside corners and work inward, cutting out the horizontal mortar before the vertical. Then use the hammer and chisel or the drill with the flat chisel to chip out the loosened mortar at a 45 degree angle. Sweep out the loosened pieces of mortar with a hand broom and use water to wash out the joints.

Once the old mortar is cleaned out, mix up new mortar and work it in with the brick trowel and tuck pointer. Use the jointer to press in the mortar between the bricks. Then use a stiff bristled brush to take off the remaining mortar off the bricks after it’s semi dry. It might not be a bad idea to do a small section first to get the hang of things before taking on the rest of the project.

Once you’ve gathered the needed supplies and familiarized yourself with the process of tuck pointing, the project isn’t too hard to get the hang of. If your time is limited though, you can always do an online search for tuckpointing sydney to find a professional to take on the task for you.

partnered post • cc-licensed image by Siaron James