What Is Repointing Brick? Everything You Need to Know
Is it time to repoint that brick wall?
Cracks, gaps, and holes in the mortar are all signs your brick needs repointing.
Repointing should only be done when the temperature is between 40 and 90 degrees.
Brick repointing costs $5,000 to $25,000 on average.
Tuckpointing costs $5 to $25 per square foot.
Brick provides a timeless aesthetic that is still much loved by today’s society. With the proper maintenance, brick structures can also last for hundreds of years, making your home a unique historic piece that can be passed down through generations. When it comes to maintaining your brick home, one of the most crucial steps is repointing. Though labor intensive, brick repointing is integral to a brick structure’s safety and longevity.
What Does Repointing Mean?
Repointing refers to the process of repairing the joints between bricks, stones, or blocks by removing old, crumbling mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar. Typically, brick masons do this by carefully grinding or chiseling out the damaged mortar to a specific depth without harming the surrounding bricks. They then fill those joints with new mortar that closely matches the color and composition of the original material.
Why Brick Walls Need to be Repointed
While brick is one of the sturdiest construction materials available and can last for centuries, it does deteriorate as time goes by because the mortar used to hold the bricks together isn’t nearly as durable as the bricks themselves. As a result, the biggest reason why you need to repoint bricks is to restore their structural integrity and allow masonry to properly bear weight. Repairing bricks early with repointing can prevent expensive repair or replacement later on.
Repointing can also improve your curb appearance. It will patch up any uneven spots on your mortar and give your brick a cleaner, newer look. If you’re considering selling in the near future, having your bricks repointed can increase your property’s value. Repointing can also help prevent water damage by keeping moisture out.
Signs Your Brick Needs Repointing
There are five easy-to-identify signs that it’s time to repoint your bricks. These are:
Damaged bricks: damaged bricks call for a repointing as soon as possible to prevent the damage from expanding.
Damp or moisture: Water damage can compromise your bricks and repointing can help keep moisture out. If you begin to notice damp spots on the bricks, it’s time for a repointing!
Inappropriate mortar: Was the original pointing done poorly? Maybe the contractor used modern cement instead of lime mortar.
Salt deposit: Also known as efflorescence, salt deposits onto your brick over time from water. The dissolved salt sticks to or rises to the surface and forms a dusty white layer. It’s not harmful to the structure, but not the prettiest to look at.
Wash damage: Nothing wrong with washing your bricks from time to time, but power washing can damage the mortar and the bricks.
What Is the Process of Repointing Brick?
The principle of brick repointing is fairly simple: remove old mortar, apply new mortar, and voila! Your brick wall is repointed. Repointing can be done with common hand tools, making it a fairly easy DIY project as long as you can handle the intensive labor.
1. Examine the Structure
Begin by examining the brick structure. Where are the damages? How bad is it? Also, look at the original mortar and the structure as a whole. If you think the damage and water seepage are caused by a larger issue unrelated to mortar deterioration, you may want to find a foundation or masonry pro to take a look before repointing.
2. Choose Your Material
The new mortar used for repointing should be close to the original in terms of strength, permeability, and thermal expansion abilities. The mortar should also be around the same level of strength as the actual masonry units, in this case, your bricks. Otherwise, your mortar would put more stress on the bricks instead of relieving it. Once you’ve chosen your material, test it on a small section of the brick to make sure it works.
3. Remove Old Mortar
Lay a drop cloth on the ground in front of the bricks. Measure the vertical joints to determine the mortar depth. Be aware that the type of brickwork you have also affects how deep you can go. Once you know your numbers, rake the mortar out of the vertical and horizontal joints. Use a masonry brush to make sure the joints are clean.
4. Wet the Wall
Grab a spray bottle and mist the wall with water for some extra moisture. This is not a mandatory step in repointing, but a useful trick to prevent the mortar from drying up too quickly.
5. Fill in New Mortar
Fill the joints with mortar. After filling the joints, let the mortar rest for 30 to 40 minutes. Then, start repointing vertical joints, followed by horizontal ones, with a pointing trowel. Be sure to scrape off any excess mortar to finish up.
How Much Does Repointing Brick Cost?
Repointing brick costs around $1,450, on average, but it can range from $400 to $2,500 depending on the project’s complexity. Smaller touch-ups on a garden wall or walkway usually fall on the lower end, while repointing a full home exterior, chimney, or foundation can push the price much higher.
Your final price will also depend on the area’s size, the condition of the existing mortar, the height and accessibility of the wall, and whether you’re dealing with decorative or load-bearing brickwork. You’ll also pay more if the mason needs to color-match the mortar or use historical restoration techniques.
Repointing vs. Tuckpointing
Tuckpointing is about filling in mortar joints of brickwork using two different shades of mortar, whereas repointing refills the removed mortar with the same material used before. Technically speaking, tuckpointing is not a repair method and may use a shallower depth compared to repointing.
For tuckpointing, remove some of the old mortar and use mortar identical to the brick's color, then fill the lines with a different color to emphasize the fine, thin line between bricks. This mimics a high-end look without forcing you to get new bricks altogether. It is more of a cosmetic strategy than a physical fix-up. On the other hand, repointing cares less about aesthetics but more about structural integrity.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Brick repointing is not technically demanding, but it is extremely labor-intensive. Repointing bricks using only common hand tools can take at least 3 to 4 hours. For someone without previous repointing experience, it can also be tricky to measure the depth. All factors considered, it might be in your best interest to hire a masonry contractor to take care of your repointing needs.
On average, brick repointing can cost from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the scope and the kind of brickwork you have. Tuckpointing costs $5 to $25 per square foot, and sometimes your contractor may recommend tuckpointing because of the high-end look it creates. When working with a masonry pro, experience and reputation is key. Always check their reviews first and shop around to get multiple quotes from different contractors. This will ensure you get the most out of your budget without compromising work quality.
The best time to repoint brick is during mild, dry weather, typically spring or fall. Mortar needs consistent temperatures and controlled moisture to cure properly. Extreme heat can cause the mortar to dry too fast and crack, while cold or wet conditions can weaken the bond and lead to damage.
Brick repointing can last anywhere from 20 to 30 years, sometimes longer. But the lifespan heavily depends on factors like the quality of the mortar, the skill of the mason who repointed the brick, and exposure to weather. Bricks in harsher climates or areas that see a lot of moisture may need repointing sooner. Regular inspections can help you catch signs of mortar deterioration early and extend the life of your masonry.
The most common mistakes when repointing brickwork include working in an environment that’s too cold, too hot, or too wet which compromises the curing and drying procedure; using the wrong type of mortar; not removing excessive mortar after job completion; unaddressed water and structural damage; improper pointing finishes; and overly relying on caulk or grout for sealing.
The maximum depth of your repointing is determined by the materials used with your brick. For rubber stone work, your maximum depth is under 2”. For traditional brickwork and ashlar stonework, your repointing should not exceed one inch. Meanwhile, the minimum depth you should go to should be around two and a half times the brickwork’s thickness. If you have a 1” thick brickwork panel, your depth allowance is between 3/4” to 1”.
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