Brick masonry can stand the test of time and is some of the most solid construction material you can find. However, you still need to maintain and care for it. A sturdy brick wall can last for one hundred years without any repairs; however, mortar joints cab begins to show signs of wear after 20 to 30 years. If mortar joints are crumbly or showing signs of disrepair, they must be repaired right away to prolong the strength of the masonry structure.
Tuck-pointers versus repointing
Although they don’t mean the same thing, the words tuckpointing and repointing are typically used interchangeably in the masonry industry. Obviously, this can lead to some confusion. It is important to understand the difference between the two terms and what they mean for both professionals in the industry and their clients.
The methods have subtle differences, even though repointing and tuckpointing both involve adding new mortar joints to a brick structure. As a homeowner, if you find your chimney or wall has some mortar damage and needs repair, you need to determine whether tuckpointing or repointing work is needed to address the problem. Or even better, call in a professional to help you assess the issue!
Repointing is the process of removing damaged mortar joints and renewing them. Tuckpointing is quite similar but is not always completed for damage control. Tuckpointing by definition is a style that uses two different colors of mortar to alter the appearance of mortar joints, this is an important distinction.
What Is Repointing?
Repointing involves actually repairing joints on brickwork that have crumbled or been damaged. Mortar joints are very important because they are required to support the structure. When mortar joints are damaged, it is easy for water and moisture to seep into the brickwork. Over time any exposed areas will erode away. To prevent further harm, repointing is used to reseal mortar joints. To ensure you prevent any further damage, repointing is performed to reseal mortar joints.
What Is Tuckpointing?
Exposure to moisture, along with repeated freezing and thawing causes mortar joints between bricks to crack thus making your home susceptible to hazardous water damage. Aside from halting mortar joint corrosion and restoring structural stability, tuckpointing also helps protect your home’s brick structures from damaging moisture. When the mortar is damaged, water seeps into the brick surface and can cause a significant amount of damage, such as mildew, rotting wood, and mold.
Tuckpointing uses two different colors of mortar to fill in mortar joints of brickwork. One of the two colors used is made to match the actual bricks. This makes it blend in and create a seamless appearance. The second color used is contrasting and is used for the actual appearance of mortar joints. By inserting the alternate color between the first brick-colored mortars it makes mortar joints appear very fine as opposed to thick.
Tuckpointing was invented in England near the late eighteenth century. The method was created in order to imitate the appearance of rubbed brick, which was a more expensive building material that quickly gained popularity during this time. Homeowners looking to copy the appearance of these high-end rubbed bricks turned to tuckpointing to get the fancy look without spending so much money. The true definition of tuckpointing is not used as often today, but it is not completely forgotten and remains interconnected with the modern-day method of repointing.
Contact us
Our masonry and paving experts serve all central and northern New Jersey including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Passaic, and Union Counties. Address 55 Terrill Road, Plainfield, NJ 07062. https://junsproservices.com Contact us at 908-322-1533.