What Is Tuckpointing Brick Repair
If you've walked up your front steps and noticed the mortar between your bricks starting to crumble, you're seeing one of the most common issues with masonry. Bricks themselves can last for decades, but the mortar (the material that holds everything together) eventually wears down. When that happens, your structure not only looks older, but it can also become less stable.
The fix? Something called tuckpointing (also referred to as mortar repair or brick pointing!). If you've never heard of it, you're not alone. Many homeowners don't realize there's a name for this process or how important it is.
What is Tuckpointing Brick Repair?
Tuckpointing is the process of repairing the mortar joints between bricks. Over time, mortar is exposed to rain, wind, extreme heat, and freezing cold. In Atlanta, our hot summers and occasional freezes are especially hard on it. Eventually, mortar cracks, loosens, or starts to fall out altogether.
Tuckpointing involves carefully removing the failing mortar and replacing it with fresh material. By sealing up those gaps, you prevent water from seeping in, protect the bricks from shifting, and give your surface a fresh, well-kept look.
Think of it as giving your brickwork a facelift and a reinforcement all at once.
How Do You Tuck Point Brick?
The process may sound simple, but it takes a skilled mason to do it right. At Sudlow Concrete, here's how we handle it:
Assess the damage - We examine how widespread the mortar failure is. Sometimes it's just a few joints; other times, large sections need attention.
Remove the old mortar - Using specialized tools, our masons grind or chisel out the damaged areas without harming the surrounding bricks.
Clean the joints - Any leftover debris or dust is cleared out so the new mortar bonds tightly.
Mix and apply new mortar - Fresh mortar is carefully packed into the gaps, matched as closely as possible to the existing color and texture.
Finish and smooth - The joints are tooled for a professional, uniform appearance.
When done well, the repairs blend seamlessly and restore both function and beauty.
Why Mortar Repair Matters
Ignoring crumbling mortar may not seem urgent, but it can create a chain reaction of problems. Gaps in mortar let water seep behind the brick, leading to:
Loose or shifting bricks
Interior water leaks
Freeze-thaw damage in colder months
Weakened structural integrity
In other words, tuckpointing isn't just cosmetic - it's preventative maintenance. A small repair now can save you from costly rebuilds later.
Tuckpointing vs. Full Mortar Replacement
Sometimes tuckpointing (repairing only failing areas) is all you need. But if most of the mortar is old, cracked, or mismatched, a full mortar replacement might be the smarter option.
Tuckpointing: More affordable, quicker, great for localized issues.
Full replacement: More extensive, but provides a uniform look and essentially gives your brickwork a "like new" appearance.
Both options improve the strength and safety of your masonry — it just depends on your goals, budget, and the condition of your existing mortar.
Can You Tuck Point Brick in Winter?
Yes. While many outdoor projects slow down in colder months, mortar repair can still be done during Atlanta's milder winters. In fact, it's a smart time to schedule repairs since masonry crews are less busy, meaning quicker scheduling and often faster turnaround.
The Bottom Line
Failing mortar is common and completely fixable. Whether you just need a few cracks filled or a full overhaul, tuckpointing is the solution to extend the life of your steps, porch, patio, or chimney.
At Sudlow Concrete, we've been helping Atlanta homeowners with brick repair for years. Our skilled masons know how to restore both the look and the strength of your brickwork so it lasts for decades to come.
Get a free on-site estimate today and see how easy it is to bring your brickwork back to life.