As a homeowner of a brick house or chimney, there may come a time when you will have to either completely re-do your entire house and/or chimney, or there might only be a few areas that need fixing. No matter what your needs are, it is important to know a couple different terms when it comes to tuckpointing: spot and solid tuckpointing. 

Solid Tuckpointing

Solid tuckpointing is also simply known as “tuckpointing”. The process involves maintaining brick and mortar buildings, infrastructures, or outdoor structures for the long run. This includes removing mortar joints throughout an entire wall or area, joint cleaning, and installing new mortar. The process also involves experts discovering mortar that is old and deteriorating, crumbling, damaged, or simply unappealing. Once the old mortar is gone, masonries go in and match the coloring with fresh, new mortar to expand the structural integrity and overall look of the building. Solid tuckpointing helps fight against weathering, aging, and overall damage of a whole wall or large-scale area. 

Spot Pointing

On the other hand, spot pointing, also known as spot tuckpointing, is the same thing as tuckpointing just on a smaller scale. It focuses on fixing major, localized open holes and settling cracks in smaller areas throughout a wall that is overall solid and in good condition. In other words, it is plugging up holes to stave off fast deterioration. The positive side of spot pointing is that if you can take care of it sooner rather than later, you will be able to stay away from costly prices that solid tuckpointing can bring. 

Which One Do You Need?

You might be wondering if you need spot or solid tuckpointing, and if you are, all you need to do is look at your wall or building. If less than 10% of the entire area is damaged, you can get away with doing spot pointing. However, if it is anything larger than that, you will need solid tuckpointing. If you decide you need spot pointing, look at the entire area. If the surrounding brick and/or mortar is almost deteriorated, then it might be more economical to proceed with a larger scale solid tuckpointing. If you do not, then there is a good chance you will incorporate new mortar into near-failing mortar. This would not provide good overall structural support and would lead to solid tuckpointing later anyway. Also, if the surrounding area has gotten to the point where it is visibly aging, spot pointing will only produce more of an eyesore than simply repairing the whole wall or structure. Keep in mind, spot pointing is best completed on a building that has had solid tuckpointing work done within the past 10-15 years. 

Whatever the need is, whether it is spot pointing or solid tuckpointing, it is vital to take care of the issue before it becomes worse. Tuckpointing is a labor-intensive job that involves costs calculate based on how much labor is needed. Therefore, it is recommended that begin with the worst areas and work your way around your home. If the project is on a smaller scale, it is better to fix everything at once. 

Keep in mind that you need to check your structures made of brick on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear or major damage. Localized damage most often occurs after large storms when trees or large objects cause major damage around downspouts that are not working correctly, areas where water collects easily, or simply major household accidents. It is important to remember that even though it may seem localized, you still want to have an expert perform an inspection to make sure there isn’t more damage than what you can see. 

Therefore, it is important to call a professional masonry for an inspection. The professionals at Marlon Tuckpointing are fully trained to notice even the smallest signs of damage. They will work quickly and efficiently to make sure you get a quote and find the right time for you to repair the damage. Our professionals are dedicated to giving you the best service possible and work with respect and professionalism. Don’t hesitate to call us today at (314) 496-9067 to set up a time for us to provide you with a quote!

Sure, brick might be the most durable material to use when building structures, especially when it’s old brick. However, even brick doesn’t last forever. Most of the time, a good tuckpointing job can really lengthen the life of any brick structure in your home. However, if you want to maintain that structure, there’s some maintenance that you should do after the tuckpointing has been completed. Check out these maintenance tips that will keep your brick good for years to come!

Keep Your Brick Surfaces Clean and Mold Free

If your brick is on a side of your home that gets little sunlight, or there’s vegetation covering it, it may be more prone to mold. Mold, mildew, and moss are all harmful for masonry, as they’ll harbor moisture. Moisture is the biggest enemy of brick and mortar, as it erodes both materials over time. To help prevent any moldy build up, you can use standard household products!

Spray down your brick surface adequately with water, this will prevent your cleanser from being absorbed. Mix together 1 part bleach to 16 parts water, or roughly a cup of bleach to a gallon of water. Using a soft, plastic bristle brush, gently cleanse your brick with the bleach solution as needed. This will help kill any mold or mildew buildups.

Don’t Clean Too Aggressively

Bricks and mortar are both porous materials. If you use the incorrect method of cleaning, it is very likely that you’ll do more harm than you will good. When you’re cleaning brick, remember to use soft brushes, normally made from plastics. Wire tipped brushes will be far too abrasive for the brick to be used. Additionally, if you plan on using any sort of cleanser, be sure to read about the and the materials they’re intended for, first. The last thing you’d want after having your home tuckpointed is a cleaner to ruin the job that was just done!

Stop Wear and Tear From Water Damage

Water damage in brick comes from one of two things: long-term soaking, and mineral deposits in the water. As such, it is important to prevent these two things as much as possible. If flooding occurs around your home, then trying to mitigate the water is the first step to reducing your brick’s water damage.

The second step occurs after water has been redirected and no longer pools. When brick is exposed to standing water numerous times, salts and minerals begin to accumulate. These can compromise the brick, and need to be removed. Diluted trisodium phosphate and a soft brush can help you remove these salts, and therefore prevent the bricks from degrading at an increased rate.

Key Takeaways

Keeping your brick and mortar clean after tuckpointing is an important step in increasing the life of your masonry surfaces. A little bit of routine maintenance and cleaning can keep your brick in great shape, and prevent an increased breakdown. If your brick is starting to look a little rough, be sure to give us a call at Marlon Tuckpointing! We’d be happy to help you with all your tuckpointing needs.