Tuckpointing in Midland TX - fresh mortar joints that suit your old brick
Crumbling, cracked or sunken mortar lets water into the wall. We rake out the bad joints and refill them so the brick stays sound.
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What is tuckpointing, and does my wall need it?
Tuckpointing in Midland, TX means cutting out the worn, crumbling mortar between your bricks and packing fresh mortar into the joints, so the wall sheds water and holds together again.
Usually it starts with sand piling up at the foot of a wall, joints sitting back from the brick face, or a crack zigzagging through the mortar. The price moves mostly with how much of the wall needs new joints and how high we have to work, and the schedule turns on the size of the wall, the weather on work days and whether a permit's needed. Your written estimate gives you the number for your wall.
How we do tuckpointing on your wall
Tuckpointing means two things to different people, so the first thing I ask is whether you want worn joints renewed to match the wall or the older look, where the joints are colored like the brick and a thin contrasting line runs down the middle. I also look for why the mortar went bad, like a downspout soaking one corner, because new joints won't last if the water keeps coming. Either way, we do a small test spot somewhere out of sight first, so you see the color and finish before we touch the rest. Then our crew cuts the old mortar out down to solid material, brushes the joints clean, packs fresh mortar in layers so it fills without gaps, and shapes each joint to match. It's loud, dusty work, so we cover what needs covering and clean the brick and your yard before we leave.
Sometimes the joints aren't the only problem. If bricks are cracked, flaking or loose, we fix those with brick repair before pointing around them, since fresh mortar won't hold a broken brick together. If you're redoing the front of the house anyway, we also lay driveway pavers, so the drive and the wall can be planned together.
What to know about tuckpointing in Midland
The City of Midland requires a residential building permit for new construction, additions, remodeling, repairs and detached buildings, but its list doesn't name tuckpointing, so it isn't settled whether your job needs one. The city's building permits office is the place to ask. When a job calls for a permit, we handle the paperwork with the city and wait for it before we start.
Around Midland we mostly repoint brick ranch houses, rentals and small storefronts, and the mortar usually goes first along the bottom rows and wherever sprinklers or a gutter keep the wall wet. We see the same wear on jobs in Odessa, Big Spring and other cities around Midland, and we handle it the same way.
Repointed brick up close
Get a written tuckpointing estimate for your wall
We reply within one business day, and then I come out to look at the joints in person. The estimate is free, carries no obligation, and comes in writing with what's included spelled out.
(432) 219-3791Tuckpointing questions from Midland owners
How do I know if my brick needs tuckpointing?
Your brick needs repointing when the mortar has worn back more than 1/4 inch, crumbles when you rub it, has holes or gaps, shows hairline cracks, or has pulled away from the brick. You can check for all of those yourself with a key and a tape measure.
How much does tuckpointing cost in Midland, TX?
It comes down to how many square feet of wall need new joints and how deep the bad mortar goes, so a few patches by the back door cost far less than a whole two-story house. Scaffolding adds to it, and the older thin-line finish takes more hand work than plain renewed joints. I'll give you a written figure once I've seen the wall.
What kind of mortar should be used for tuckpointing old brick?
New mortar should be about as strong as the old mortar or a little weaker, because mortar that's harder than the wall can damage the brick for good. Ask any mason what they plan to use and how it compares with what's already in your wall. Hard mortar is the usual mistake, and the brick pays for it.
How long does new mortar last after tuckpointing?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the brick around them can go more than 100, so the joints usually need renewing long before the brick does. How long yours last depends on how much weather that side of the house takes and the mortar that went in.
Does a contractor need to be registered with the City of Midland?
Yes, most construction projects in Midland need a licensed and bonded contractor who's registered with the city. The contractor registers and has a bond approved by the City Attorney before the city issues any permits, and any work on a commercial building needs a commercial permit that only a registered, licensed and bonded contractor can get. If your building is commercial, ask about that before anyone starts.
What is the best way to check a mason is good at repointing?
Ask to see repointing jobs they've done, or have them do a small section somewhere hidden on your wall, because an excellent bricklayer isn't always good at repointing. Laying new brick and cutting clean joints into an old wall are different skills. Our out-of-sight test spot is how we show you first.
Call about your Midland mortar joints today
Jot down where the mortar's crumbling or cracked before you call (432) 219-3791 or fill out the form, so I can head straight to those spots.