Tuckpointing in Fairfield CA - solid mortar joints that match your old brick
Crumbling, cracked or sunken mortar joints let water into the wall, so we cut them out and repack them with a mix that suits your brick.
Do my crumbling mortar joints need tuckpointing?
Tuckpointing, which most masons also call repointing, means cutting the worn mortar out of the joints in a brick wall and packing in fresh mortar, and in Fairfield, CA we do it on house walls, chimneys and garden walls so the brick stays tight and sheds water again.
Most calls start the same way. A homeowner rubs a joint and it turns to sand, or they spot a gap where mortar used to be. The catch is that new mortar only helps when the damage stops at the joints, so if you're seeing leaks inside, cracks that climb the wall like stairs, loose bricks or brick faces flaking off, the cause needs finding and the wall needs brick repair before anyone repoints.
The price moves with how tall the wall is, how much of the mortar has gone bad, what shape the brick and foundation are in, and how easy the wall is to reach with a ladder or scaffold. The schedule turns mostly on the size of the wall and whether brick repairs have to come first, and I'll give you your own number once I've looked at it.
- We cut out worn mortar to sound depth, then pack and tool fresh mortar into each joint.
- Loose, cracked or flaking bricks aren't fixed by repointing, so those get repaired before any joints.
- We protect windows, plants and walkways from dust and mortar drops while we grind and pack.
What happens after you call about tuckpointing in Fairfield?
From your first call to the final walk-through, you deal with me, and I'm on site the whole time our small crew works. Here's how a tuckpointing job usually goes.
Call or send a message
Call (707) 398-2147 or fill out the form, and I'll get back to you to set up a time to come look. Photos of the worn joints help me know what I'm walking into.
Walk the wall with me
I come out myself, check the joints and the brick, and explain what I see and what's causing it. You get an estimate for the work with no pressure to sign, so you can think it over.
We handle permits and work
Once you say go, we take care of any permit the job needs, and our small crew does the work with me on site. If some bricks need fixing, that happens before we touch the joints.
Walk the finished wall together
Before we pack up, we walk the finished joints with you and point out anything worth knowing. The dust gets cleaned off the wall and the ground swept before we leave.
Brick walls, mortar joints and repointing work up close
These photos show the kind of brick and mortar work the trade does, from worn joints to freshly packed ones. They're here to help you picture the job, not to show a particular house of ours.
A broad speckled concrete porch sits beside a stone-veneer wall and beneath a brick archway.
A broad driveway paved with wet-looking tan and brown rectangular pavers runs beside a house and landscaped beds.
A broad brick-paver walkway crosses an outdoor dining patio with wooden picnic tables and potted trees.
Concrete walkway curves beside a house, with a gravel bed, planter and black metal bench.
Curved stone retaining wall encloses a paved patio with a lit fire pit and cushioned seating.
Large two-story house with dark shingle siding, white trim, stone porch columns, and glowing windows at dusk.
Get a tuckpointing estimate for your brick wall
Send photos of the worn joints and a rough wall size, and I'll get back to you within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate. There's no obligation and no pressure to sign.
(707) 398-2147Common questions about tuckpointing and mortar joints
These are the questions homeowners ask me most while we're standing at the wall looking at the joints. If yours isn't here, ask me when I come out.
How much does tuckpointing cost per square foot?
Across the US, tuckpointing usually costs about $5 to $25 per square foot of wall, and that's the going range, not our price. Where your wall falls depends on the height, damage, brick condition and access I covered up top. I'll give you your own number after I've walked the wall, and our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
How do I know if my mortar joints need tuckpointing?
Your joints likely need repointing if the mortar has worn back more than 1/4 inch from the brick face, crumbles when you rub it, has gaps, or shows hairline cracks or cracks along the edge where it meets the brick. You can check for these yourself before you call. If the bricks are loose or cracking too, that points to brick repair first.
How long do new mortar joints last?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, depending on how exposed the wall is and the materials used, while the brick itself can last more than 100 years. So over a wall's life, expect to repoint now and then and keep your original brick, which is why the mortar should be the softer of the two.
Can an unlicensed handyman do tuckpointing in California?
Only on small jobs, because California lets an unlicensed person do minor work up to $1,000 only when the work needs no permit and they employ no one. Past that, you want a licensed contractor, and the state's masonry license, called C-29, covers brick, block and stone work. You can check any contractor with the state licensing board before you hire, and we're fully licensed and insured.
How do I get new mortar to match my old mortar color?
The color of new mortar comes mostly from the sand color and the type of cement, so getting those right is how you get close. The best check is a small sample in an out-of-the-way spot before the whole wall gets done, and it's worth asking for one on any job.
Is white powder on brick normal after tuckpointing?
Yes, a white bloom called efflorescence sometimes shows up in the first few months after repointing and usually weathers away on its own. If it hangs on, the safest fix is dry brushing with a stiff natural or nylon bristle brush, then wet brushing.
Tuckpointing in Fairfield and the cities around it
Fairfield's building office reviews alterations to existing buildings, so I check with it first whether your job needs a permit, and if one's needed we apply and meet the inspector. We do the same work in Vacaville and Suisun City.