What Is Tuckpointing? Everything You Need to Know

If you've ever renovated a brick or stone structure, there's a good chance you've come across something called tuckpointing. Tuckpointing is a fairly common practice that involves freshening up the mortar joints between bricks. But what exactly does tuckpointing entail and how does it differ from repointing? Here, we outline what tuckpointing is, explain some common misconceptions, and lay out what you should expect to pay a professional for tuckpointing.

What Is Tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing is the process of removing old mortar and replacing it with new mortar that closely matches the brick or stone, then drawing thin, contrasting lines inside of an impression in the mortar using putty.

Traditional tuckpointing is a common practice for restoring historic brick homes, but it can make any brick structure with deteriorating mortar look better.

Benefits of Tuckpointing

• Creates the illusion of crisp, thin mortar lines
• Hides deterioration along the edges of bricks
• Prolongs the life of the brick structure
• Adds longevity to the brick itself
• Shields the brick and structure from the elements

Tuckpointing vs. Repointing: What's the Difference?

Confusingly, the term "tuckpointing" is often misused to describe the basic process of removing old mortar and replacing it with new mortar. However, traditional tuckpointing utilizes a mortar mix that perfectly matches the color of the brick, which allows the new mortar to seamlessly blend in. Once the contrasting putty is embedded into the new mortar lines, the appearance of the putty pops against the brick and new mortar, making for a crisp visual that totally renews the overall look of the brick.

The process of replacing old mortar with new mortar is called repointing. When many people say tuckpointing, they're actually describing the process of repointing. Both tuckpointing and repointing are alterations of the word "pointing," which is the process of filling the joints between new brick or stone with mortar.

Generally, tuckpointing is viewed as a cosmetic upgrade while repointing is viewed as a structural repair. However, this doesn't mean that tuckpointing doesn't offer protective qualities. In actuality, tuckpointing offers the same structural qualities as repointing, with the addition of putty to make the mortar lines pop.

So why go through the extra steps of tuckpointing rather than just repointing brick? Choosing to repoint brick rather than tuckpoint can result in thicker, wavy mortar joints due to the deterioration on the edge of each brick. Some people like this rustic look, while others wish for their brick to look new again.

How to Tell If Your Home Needs Tuckpointing

Every brick structure should be tuckpointed or repointed at some point in its lifetime, as mortar doesn't last forever. But how do you determine when your home's brick needs to be tuckpointed? Closely inspect the mortar joints in the brick or stone. If the mortar is discolored, deteriorated, cracked, or has receded from the surface, the home would benefit aesthetically from tuckpointing. However, if you're simply looking to shore up the brick or stone with new mortar, repointing may be a better option.

Typically, mortar has a significantly shorter lifespan than the brick or stone surrounding it, meaning it's likely to fail long before the wall itself. You can expect brick to last for hundreds of years, while mortar can fail after just 25 years. The lifespan of mortar can be shortened by extreme weather, major weather fluctuation, faulty installation, or moisture exposure. If there's significant damage to the mortar joints that could lead to further structural damage, they likely need to be repointed.

Should You Repoint Mortar Before Painting Brick?

If you're planning to paint your brick, doing so without first repointing the mortar will only highlight any current damage. This is especially true if you plan to paint the brick white or neutral, which is a common practice. In this case, traditional tuckpointing would be unnecessary, as the contrasting putty lines would be of no value once the paint is applied.

How Much Does Tuckpointing Cost?

Tuckpointing isn't cheap, but it can make a drastic difference in your home's curb appeal and add longevity to the brick itself. According to Angi, if you were to hire a masonry professional to tuckpoint your home's brick or stone, expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $25 per square foot, with an average of $15 per square foot. While we encourage homeowners to take the DIY route whenever possible in order to get more bang for their buck, tuckpointing is typically a job better left to the professionals.