Tuckpointing in Turlock CA - solid joints that help keep water out of your brick wall
Crumbling or cracked mortar lets water into your brick. We cut out the worn joints and repack them so the wall stays solid.
Good tuckpointing protects the brick you have
Tuckpointing, also called repointing, means cutting worn mortar out to an even depth and packing new mortar into the joint. Most calls we get for tuckpointing in Turlock and the cities around it start with sandy, crumbling joints or thin cracks along the brick, and that's where water starts getting in.
I look for why the joints failed, so the fix doesn't trade one problem for another. The price moves with how much wall needs work, how high we have to reach and whether brick has to come out first for brick repair. The schedule turns mostly on the wall's size and any permit. My write-up shows what I'd do on your wall.
- Old mortar cut out to an even depth
- New mortar no harder than the original
- Joint color and shape matched to the wall
- Brick edges left clean and unchipped
Wait, repoint or rebuild
Not every cracked joint needs work right away. How soon you act depends on how far the mortar has worn and whether the brick itself is hurt.
Leave it for now
- When it fits
- Fine hairline cracks where the mortar is still hard and full.
- What it takes
- Checking the joints now and then, and calling when the wear spreads.
Repoint the joints
- When it fits
- Mortar that's sandy, crumbling, hollow or cracking away from the brick.
- What it takes
- Cutting out to an even depth and refilling with mortar no harder than the old.
Rebuild the section
- When it fits
- Brick that's cracked, loose or flaking on its face, not just the joints.
- What it takes
- Taking out damaged brick, setting new pieces, then pointing the whole area.
How a repointing job runs
Call and walk-through
You call or send the form, then I come out myself, look at the joints and how the wall is built, and write up what I'd do.
Permit, if needed
If the job needs a permit, we handle the application and paperwork with the city or county office your property falls under.
Sample in a hidden spot
We're glad to point a small hidden patch first, so you can see the joint shape and color before we do the whole wall.
Cut out and repoint
Our crew lead and masons cut the old mortar to an even depth, so the new joint bonds all the way through, then fill and tool it.
Final check
I check the finished joints myself before we call it done, and the crew clears mortar dust off your walks, patio or driveway pavers.
What to settle before we start
The mortar, the paperwork and the crew you pick decide whether repointing protects your brick or hurts it, so these points shape what I write up.
Softer mortar, not harder
New mortar should match the old or be weaker, because harder mortar pushes stress onto the brick and can ruin its face for good. Ask any crew what they plan to use.
A crew that repoints
A fine bricklayer isn't always good at repointing, so ask to see past repointing jobs or have the crew try a hidden section of wall first.
The permit question
In Turlock, the city's building official issues permits to alter or repair a regulated building, though not every job needs one. Ask the Building and Safety Division at (209) 668-5560 about yours.
Check the license
California lets an unlicensed person take a job only up to $1,000, and only when the work needs no permit and they employ no one. We're licensed and insured.
What good repointing looks like
Look for even joints, a color that blends with the old mortar and clean brick edges with no smears. Open any photo for a closer look.
Tell us about your wall
Send photos of the worn joints and where the wall sits, or call. We reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate, with no obligation.
To talk now, call
(209) 410-9284Questions about tuckpointing your brick
Another question? Call (209) 410-9284
How can I tell if my brick needs tuckpointing?
Your brick needs repointing when the mortar has worn back more than a quarter inch, crumbles, has holes or shows hairline cracks, or when you see cracks between the brick and the mortar. Walk along the wall and check a few joints, then send photos or have me come look.
Is cracked mortar on my brick house something to fix right away?
Not always, because many walls, like brick veneer and cavity walls with an air gap behind the brick, can handle extra moisture from small cracks. Cracks matter more in solid masonry walls that rely on the brick and mortar alone to stop water. When I see your wall, I'll tell you which you have and how soon I'd act.
How long does tuckpointing last on a brick wall?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, depending on how exposed the wall is and the mortar used, while the brick itself can last more than 100 years. That means the joints wear out first, so plan on repointing again at some point over the wall's life.
Who gets the building permit for masonry work in Turlock?
In Turlock, the property owner is responsible for getting the building permit, though a licensed contractor or someone the owner authorizes can submit and sign the application. When your job needs one, we take care of it. The city's Building and Safety Division answers permit questions at building@turlock.ca.us.