How Tuckpointing Is Done, Step by Step

Tuckpointing looks simple from the sidewalk, but the difference between a repair that lasts and one that fails in three winters is in the steps. Here is what a proper job looks like on a Kansas City brick home.

Step one is deciding what actually needs work

A good crew walks the whole wall first and marks where the mortar is cracked, crumbling, or recessed, and where the brick itself is spalling. Not every joint needs to come out, and some walls need brick repair before the mortar. That call comes before any grinder starts.

Step two is cutting out the old mortar

The failed mortar is removed to a proper depth, usually at least half an inch and often closer to three quarters, so the new mortar has something solid to bond to. On tough joints a grinder does the work, but on softer old brick, careful hand tools protect the edges. Shallow cuts are a classic shortcut, and they are why some repairs pop out after a couple of seasons.

Step three is cleaning, wetting, and matching

The joints get cleaned of dust and loose debris, then dampened so the brick does not pull the water out of fresh mortar too fast. Mortar for older Kansas City brick usually needs to be softer than the brick, so the wall can flex through freeze and thaw without cracking the face of the brick. Color and sand mix are matched to the existing joints so the repair does not stand out.

Step four is packing, tooling, and cleanup

New mortar is packed into the joint in layers, then tooled to match the existing profile once it firms up. The wall is brushed and cleaned, and the mortar is kept from drying too quickly in hot or windy weather. You can read more about the repair side on our brick repair and replacement page, and about chimneys on our chimney repair page.

Frequently asked questions