A cornerstone is the first stone laid when building a structure.  It dictates direction and all measurements for the rest of the building are made in reference to it, making it the most important stone in the structure.  The same can be said for the masons who laid the cornerstone.  Masons have been the constructors of our buildings of today and of the most important structures throughout the history of the world, many that are still standing.

Throughout History

Masonry has been around thousands of years.  In fact, it’s one of the oldest forms of construction.  Some of the earliest examples of masonry come from Egypt (The Great Pyramids), Great Britain (Stonehenge), China (The Great Wall), and the many Greek and Roman structures that still stand strong today.  Bricks are the oldest of all man-made materials, originally made of clay and dried in the sun as early as 8000B.C.

Masonry Today

Masonry is building structures that are made by laying individual blocks or units, usually held together with some kind of mortar or cement material.  Masonry is usually more time-consuming to construct than other structures but because they’re made of strong materials (brick, stone, cement) and are held together  by a strong material, they are extremely strong and durable.  

Wood can rot and is susceptible to mold, unlike masonry, and because masonry structures are nearly air-tight, they keep out more allergens than their wooden counterparts.  They’re also stronger, reduce outside noise, and improve energy efficiency by keeping the interior of the structure warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.  

Masonry construction can be used for load-bearing walls, re-inforced masonry walls, composite, hollow (like cement blocks), or just on the exterior for aesthetics.  It’s also used for fireplaces and chimneys as well as landscape architecture like retaining walls or privacy walls.  

When Things Go Wrong

While bricks and other masonry materials are extremely strong, the mortar or cement that holds them together can deteriorate over time, especially if it was made from inferior materials.  When this happens, it not only looks bad, but it also can affect the structural integrity fo the wall or structure and could pose a real hazard.  A complete reconstruction is an option, of course, but it can be an extensive and expensive undertaking.  This is where tuckpointing comes in. 

Tuckpointing

Tuckpointing is a technique for restoring brickwork and masonry that involves removing the old, damaged mortar and replacing it with fresh, new mortar.  Using a grinder, the mortar is removed and replaced with some that is the color of the brick, and then grooves are cut into the new mortar and filled with mortar that matches the original mortar color.  It not only refreshes the look, but it can also create a straighter, more refined look.  Tuckpointing can be done in a small area or a complete wall or entire chimney. It’s much more cost-effective than replacement of the entire structure or even a part of it and can leave your brickwork looking almost new again.  

Marlon Tuckpointing provides tuckpointing and masonry services to the St. Louis area.  Our services include complete and spot tuckpointing services as well as chimney repairs, caulking, waterproofing, brickwork, and repairs to chimney caps and flashing. For questions or a free estimate call Marlon Tuckpointing LLC at (314) 496-9067.