Brick pointing in Napa CA - fresh joints that help keep water out of your walls
When does brick need pointing in Napa, and what does the job involve?
Brick pointing means raking worn mortar out of the joints between your bricks and packing in fresh mortar. Professional Napa Concrete and Masonry does brick pointing in Napa when joints are crumbling, cracked or wearing back, because worn joints let water into the wall.
Most calls start with sand at the foot of a wall or a joint you can scrape out with a key. I look at why the mortar failed before I quote anything, because if cracks step through the brick on a wall that's moved, you may need foundation repair first, and worn joints high on a chimney often go along with chimney repair.
Napa's historic downtown has homes and shops built from the Victorian years to just after World War II, and brick laid before about 1900 was most often set in soft lime and sand mortar. Grinders can ruin soft brick in the wrong hands, so on older brick we take the old mortar out mostly by hand. It's slower, and I think it's worth it.
The city's Building Division keeps a list of work that's exempt from a permit, like fences and painting, and brick pointing isn't on it. We check with the division early, and when your job needs a permit, we take care of the application and set up the inspections. Permit or not, the city expects all work to meet its codes.
What pointing involves
- Finding why the joints failed
- Raking out worn mortar, mostly by hand
- Mixing mortar to suit your brick
- Packing joints full in layers
- Tooling joints so they shed water
- Cleaning mortar off the brick face
What to weigh before booking brick pointing
What sets the price
Price turns on how much wall needs new joints, how deep the old mortar is worn and how high we work. Your written estimate spells out each part and why.
What the timing depends on
Timing depends on how much wall needs work, how stubborn the old mortar is and the weather, because fresh mortar shouldn't go in during rain or a freeze.
Softer mortar, not stronger
New mortar should be no stronger than the original, because a harder mix pushes stress into the brick and can damage its face. On old brick, softer is safer.
Brick pointing questions from Napa homeowners
How do I know if my brick needs repointing?
Your brick needs repointing if the mortar has worn back more than ¼ inch from the face, crumbles when you rub it, has holes, or shows hairline cracks or gaps where it meets the brick. Even a hairline crack is a reason to plan the work, since that's where water starts getting in. Tell me what you've noticed, and I'll say plainly if it can wait.
What does brick repointing usually cost in Napa?
Across the US, brick repointing usually costs about $400 to $2,500 per 100 square feet of wall, which is the market's range and not our price. For your wall, I come out and give you a free written estimate that spells out the work and the reason for it. We're based in Napa and work in the cities around it, so just ask if you're not sure we come out your way.
How long does new mortar last on a brick wall?
Mortar usually lasts roughly 25 to 50 years, while the brick itself can go 100 years or more. That gap is why a sound brick wall needs its joints redone now and then, and if yours are still holding, I'll tell you to leave them alone.
Who should I hire for brick pointing in Napa?
Hire someone with real repointing experience, because good joint work takes its own skills and even an excellent mason may not have them. California has a masonry contractor license class that covers brick walls, so ask which license a contractor holds and ask to see joints they've pointed. We're fully licensed and insured, I'm on site working alongside our crew, and our work is satisfaction guaranteed.
Do I need my old mortar tested before repointing?
Usually not. Testing old mortar adds cost and typically only makes sense on historic projects that have to match the existing work closely. For most houses, the age of the building and a close look at the joints tell me enough to pick a mix, which is why I ask when your house was built.
What is the best way to repoint just part of a brick wall?
The best way is to cut out only the joints that have failed and match the new mortar's color and texture to the old, so the patch doesn't stand out. I'd rather do the section that needs it than sell you a whole wall, and I'll tell you if the rest is fine for now.
Brick pointing near you
We're based in Napa and do brick pointing in American Canyon, Sonoma and the cities around them. Pick your area below, or call if yours isn't listed.
Other masonry work
Get a free estimate for brick pointing
Send photos of the worn joints and your house's age. We respond within 1 business day, and I'll give you a free written estimate on site, no pressure to book.