Tuckpointing in Napa CA - new mortar joints that match the brick you already have
Does my brick in Napa need tuckpointing, and what's involved?
At Professional Napa Concrete and Masonry, tuckpointing in Napa means raking out mortar joints that have worn or cracked and packing in fresh mortar. Most people use the word for repointing. We fix the failing joints, leave the sound ones alone and look for whatever wore them out in the first place.
Tuckpointing and repointing usually mean the same job, which is repairing the mortar between bricks. The word also names an older decorative style, where a thin strip of contrasting mortar makes the joints look very fine, but this page is about the repair. If the bricks themselves are cracked or loose, that's brick repair, and I'll tell you which one your wall needs.
Price and timing come down to how many joints have actually failed, how tall the wall is and what's causing the damage, since a moisture problem has to be fixed before new mortar will last. I come out to look at every job myself, and you get a written estimate that spells out the work and the reason for it.
In California, the state's contractor license board treats work on clay brick, concrete block and stone as a masonry contractor's trade, and we're fully licensed and insured. If your walkway or driveway pavers have settled or come loose, I can look at those on the same visit.
What goes into the work
- Finding out why the mortar failed
- Raking out only the failing joints
- Mortar no stronger than the original
- A small test patch for color
- Packing and shaping the new joints
- Cleaning the brick faces and site
What to weigh before booking tuckpointing
What sets the cost
Cost follows how much of the wall has failed, how high it reaches and how easy it is to get to, so a few bad joints near the ground is a much smaller job.
What the schedule depends on
Timing turns on how many joints need raking out, whether a moisture problem has to be fixed first and whether the city's Building Division needs anything before we start.
Mortar strength and color
New mortar should be about as strong as the old mortar or weaker, because harder mortar pushes the stress onto the brick and can make its face spall, or flake off.
Tuckpointing questions from Napa homeowners
How much does tuckpointing cost in Napa, CA?
Across the US, tuckpointing or repointing brick usually costs about $500 to $2,500 per 100 square feet, and that's what the work runs in general, not our price. Where your wall lands depends on how many joints have failed and how high it goes, since walls over 8 feet that need scaffolding cost more per square foot. After I look it over, your written estimate shows the work and the reason for each part.
How do I know if my brick mortar needs tuckpointing?
Your joints need work when the mortar has worn back more than about 1/4 inch, crumbles, has holes, or shows hairline cracks or gaps between brick and mortar. Only those joints need repair, and sound original mortar is better left where it is, which is how we work. If your wall turns out to be fine for now, I'll tell you that.
Will new tuckpointing mortar match the color of my old brick wall?
It can come close, because the color of new mortar comes mostly from the sand color and the type of cement. Before we go across the whole wall, we try a small patch in a spot you won't notice so you can see the match for yourself.
What should I do if my brick has stains, flaking or damp spots inside the house?
Find where the problem starts before anyone touches the mortar, because stains, flaking brick, worn joints and damp or mold indoors all point to a cause that a patch won't fix. The repair should correct that cause and the damage you can see together. I'd rather spend the time figuring out why your wall failed than redo joints that fail again.
How long does tuckpointing last on a brick house?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, depending on how exposed the wall is and the mortar used, while the brick itself can last well over 100 years. That makes repointing an occasional repair over the life of a brick wall, not a regular chore. Our work is satisfaction guaranteed.
Who handles building permits for tuckpointing in Napa?
The City of Napa's Building Division issues building permits, and its list of permit-exempt work names fences and painting but not tuckpointing, so that list doesn't settle your job. We check with the building office early, and when your job needs a permit, we take care of the application and set up the inspections. Permits now go through the city's NapaON online system, and if your house is a historic resource, the city's Cultural Heritage Commission decides certificates of appropriateness, a kind of historic approval.
Tuckpointing near you
We're based in Napa and do tuckpointing in Napa, American Canyon, Sonoma and the cities around them. Pick your area below, or call if yours isn't listed.
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Ask for a free tuckpointing estimate
Note where the joints are worn, the wall's height and your house's age. We reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate, with no obligation.