Brick pointing in Turlock CA - sound joints that blend with your old mortar
Mortar crumbling or cracking between your bricks? We rake out the bad joints and refill them with matched mortar that spares the brick.
Brick pointing renews the mortar, not the brick
Most brick pointing calls we get in Turlock start with mortar crumbling out of the joints. Repointing means raking out that old, decaying mortar and packing in fresh mortar that matches the old color. Joints usually last more than 25 years while the brick can go past 100, so the mortar wears out first and the bricks stay put.
We mix the new mortar to match the old in color and keep it no stronger, so the new lines blend in and the joints wear out before the brick does. Price turns on the size of the wall, how much mortar comes out, and height, since taller walls need scaffolding. Weather sets the schedule. I put all of it in the estimate, and we're licensed and insured.
- Joints raked out to sound mortar
- New mortar matching the old color
- Mix no stronger than the original
- Brick edges left clean and unchipped
Patch, repoint or rebuild the wall
Most worn joints don't need a new wall. Picking the right fix keeps you from paying for too much or paying twice for a patch that fails.
Patch over
- When it fits
- Hardly ever, since smearing mortar over loose joints only hides the cracks.
- What it takes
- A thin skim that pops off, because there's nothing sound to grip.
Repoint the joints
- When it fits
- The bricks are sound but the joints are worn, cracked or crumbling.
- What it takes
- Raking out bad mortar and packing in a matched mix no stronger than the old.
Rebuild a section
- When it fits
- Bricks are cracked through or flaking, or a section has shifted or leans.
- What it takes
- Relaying that section, after foundation repair if the ground moved it.
How a repointing job runs
Call or send photos
You call or send the form with photos of the worn joints and a rough wall size, and we set a time for me to come out.
I look at the wall
I come out myself, see how deep the damage goes and write up what I'd do. If it needs a permit, we handle the paperwork.
Our crew repoints
Our crew lead and masons rake out the bad mortar and pack in the matched mix. It's slow, noisy work, and taller walls get scaffolding for a while.
I check it
I check the joints myself before we call it done, and the crew cleans mortar off the brick and hauls the debris away.
What to weigh before repointing
These choices decide how the finished wall looks and whether the brick holds up, so I go over each one with you at the estimate.
Which mortar mix goes in
New mortar should match the old in strength or be weaker, because mortar that's too strong can damage the brick beyond repair. Ask any mason which mix they plan to use.
How the old mortar comes out
Federal guidance for historic buildings says power saws on thin joints, as on most brick walls, almost always break brick edges and overcut the upright joints. Ask how it'll be done.
A match or a crisp line
Repointing matches the old mortar so the repair blends in. Tuckpointing uses mortar close to the brick color plus a thin line of contrasting putty for sharper joint lines.
Proof they can repoint
California's contractor licensing board has a masonry class for brick work, but a fine bricklayer isn't always skilled at repointing. Ask to see past repointing or a sample on a hidden spot.
What good repointing looks like
Look for joints packed full and even, mortar that matches the old color, and brick edges with no chips. Open the examples to see it up close.
Tell us about your wall
Send photos of the worn joints and a rough wall size, or call. We reply within one business day, then I come out for a free estimate, no obligation.
To talk now, call
(209) 410-9284Questions about repointing brick
Another question? Call (209) 410-9284
How do I know if my brick mortar needs repointing?
Look for mortar worn back more than 1/4 inch, crumbling mortar, gaps, hairline cracks and cracks between the brick and mortar. You can spot those yourself, but I check how deep the damage runs on site. On a chimney, worn joints can be part of a bigger chimney repair job.
How much does brick repointing cost in Turlock, CA?
Across the US, repointing brick usually costs about $3 to $25 per square foot, and that's the going range, not our price. Where your wall lands depends on its size, its height and how much mortar has to come out, and the estimate covers your wall.
Who issues building permits for brick work in Turlock?
The City of Turlock's building official issues permits to alter or repair a regulated building. The city's permit list names jobs like remodels and re-roofs, not repointing, so ask the Building and Safety Division at (209) 668-5560 or building@turlock.ca.us. If your job needs one, we handle the paperwork, as in the steps above.
When is the best time of year to repoint brick?
One national cost guide points to spring or fall, when daytime temperatures stay between 40 and 90 degrees for at least 24 to 72 hours. The same guide says emergency work in winter or a heat wave will likely cost more, so it pays to book ahead for mild weather.