Brick walls on older homes
Mortar repair on older brick is what we're best known for. On these houses we match the new joints to the old ones in color and shape, so the repair doesn't stand out as a patch.
Tuckpointing in Fresno CA - mortar joints that hold and brick that stays put
Mortar crumbling out of your brick joints? We repair the joints that are failing so your wall is tight and solid again.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free on-site estimates.
- We respond within 1 business day.
What tuckpointing does for a brick wall
Tuckpointing, which most masons also call repointing, is how we repair worn mortar joints in brick walls, chimneys and garden walls in Fresno, CA. We take out the mortar that's failing and pack in new, so the wall is tight and solid again and the good brick stays where it is.
Most people call when they notice sand collecting at the base of a wall, mortar they can scrape out with a key, or a crack running along the edge of a brick. Often it's the worst spots and not the whole wall, and I'd rather tell you a small fix will do than sell you a big one. The price moves with how high the wall is, how much of the mortar is damaged, what shape the brick and the foundation are in, and how easy the wall is to reach. The schedule turns on the same things, mostly how many joints need cutting out and whether we need ladders or scaffolding to get to them. I'll look at it in person and give you the price in writing.
I write the estimate myself
I come out, look at the wall and write the price myself. I ran crews on big commercial jobs before going out on my own in 2013, so I know what the prep takes.
Our own crew and lead mason
Our own crew does the work, with a lead mason running it on site, so the people packing your joints answer to us and know how we want it done.
Licensed and insured
We're licensed and insured. California licenses masonry contractors for brick, block and stone work through the Contractors State License Board, so it's fair to ask any mason you call about theirs.
How we repoint brick joints
I walk the wall with you first and mark the joints that are actually failing, because sound original mortar holds better than anything we put back, so we leave it alone. Our crew, with a lead mason running the job, cuts the bad mortar out back to solid material, brushes and rinses the joints clean, and packs the new mortar in layers so it fills all the way back. The new mix goes in softer than your brick, so the joints take the wear over the years and the brick stays put. We tool each joint to match the ones around it, clean the mortar smears off the brick face, and leave the site the way we found it.
Tuckpointing often turns up other work. If some bricks are cracked, flaking or loose, we replace them as part of brick repair, since new mortar can't hold a broken brick together. When the ground in front of the house is due for work too, we can plan driveway pavers alongside the joint repair, so the new paving meets your brick walls, steps and planters cleanly.
Where brick joints usually need work
Chimneys above the roofline
Chimney joints take weather on every side, so they often crumble before the rest of the house. We repoint the failing courses and let you know if the crown or flue needs attention too.
Garden and yard walls
Freestanding brick walls tend to lose mortar at the cap and the base first. Catching those joints early keeps the wall straight and solid instead of letting bricks work loose.
Brick steps, planters and porches
Low brick work around the house takes foot traffic and sprinkler water every day. We redo the worn joints so the brick stays tight, and we'll tell you if a small fix is all it needs.
Get a written price for your brick joints
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day to set a time. I come out, look at the wall and give you a free written price, with no obligation to go ahead.
Send photos of the joints
A few close photos of the cracked or crumbling joints, plus one shot of the whole wall, let me see what I'm walking into before I come out.
Give a rough wall size
A rough size in square feet, even a guess, helps us plan the visit. I measure it properly on site before the price goes on paper.
Tell us if it's historic
If your home is a designated historic property, say so on the form. That lets us plan for the city's review and the permit before we set a start date.
Brick, mortar and paving examples
Example photos of joint shapes, mortar colors, brick walls and paver layouts to help you point out the look you want for your house.
Questions about tuckpointing in Fresno
Plain answers to what Fresno homeowners usually ask about worn mortar, cost, permits and older brick before they book an estimate.
How do I know if my brick mortar needs tuckpointing?
Your mortar needs repair when it has worn back more than 1/4 inch from the brick face, crumbles when you scrape it, or has holes, hairline cracks or a crack between the brick and the mortar. Joints that don't show those signs can usually stay as they are. If you're not sure, I'll look and tell you straight.
How much does tuckpointing cost in Fresno?
Across the US, tuckpointing or repointing brick usually costs about $500 to $2,500 per 100 square feet, according to a national cost guide. That's the market's range, not our price, and where your wall falls depends on its height, damage and access. For a Fresno figure, I'll look at your wall and give you the price in writing.
Do I need a permit for tuckpointing in Fresno?
Fresno's Building and Safety Services Division issues the required permit to any owner who intends to construct, alter or repair a building or structure. Don't assume repair work is exempt. When a job needs a permit, we file it with the right city or county office and handle the paperwork for you.
Does a historic home in Fresno need review before repointing?
It can. On a designated historic property, exterior changes that could affect its historic character go to the city's Historic Preservation Specialist before work starts, and jobs that need a permit are also reviewed by the city's planning and building divisions. The Historic Preservation Commission approves or denies permits for historic properties, which is why the form asks about it.
What kind of mortar is best for old brick?
For historic brick, federal guidance prefers lime mortar over Portland cement mortar, because lime lets more water pass through the joint. As that water dries out, it leaves a little lime behind in hairline cracks. Ask any contractor which mix they plan to use on your wall, and I'll tell you which one I'd use and why.
How long does tuckpointing last?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the bricks themselves can go well past 100. So it's best to plan on repointing as upkeep that comes around more than once over the life of a brick wall, not a one-time fix. Catching the worn joints early keeps each round smaller.
Call or send photos of your joints
Our phones are open seven days a week, from 7 AM on weekdays and 6 AM on weekends, so call (559) 319-0148 or use the form.