Mark Maupin address tuck pointing basics- Tuck pointing is the replacement of damaged mortar in between the brick. Having masonry joints fall apart deteriorate, and over time is a common problem in Michigan constantly changing weather . Repairing cracks in the mortar joints may not be as difficult as one may think. With the purchase of a few tools, and a little patience anyone can tackle some basic tuck pointing and brick repair. Most of these tools necessary can be purchased at your local hardware, stores. You will need a masonry trowel, a tuckpointer, either a circular saw or an angle grinder equipped with a diamond blade, and of course mortar (recommend type n redi mix mortar), and a jointing tool.
Take time to carefully saw or grind out the damaged mortar. A careless slip with the grinder can make for a damaged brick instead of a cleaned out joint. Remove the mortar at least an additional 3/4 of an inch deeper than the existing joint depth. Make sure to cover any dust sensitive areas with a drop cloth or tarp. Always wear a respirator, and safety glasses: this is dusty work. The type of brick you are working with and temperature on the day you are working on can affect your new mortar strength and longevity. On warmer days and when working with a softer brick you will want to clean the exposed joints out with water. This has two benefits, 1) it will allow for a slower cure time for your mortar giving you stronger joints. 2) It ensures that the exposed joint has been properly cleaned out which will allow the new mortar to bond with the old mortar. When working in colder temperatures
it is recommended that you heat the area in which you plan on tuck pointing and clean out the brick joints with a brush or shop vac
Once you have a clean joint you can begin pointing in your mortar. There are several methods you can use to get the new mortar into the joint. The first and most traditional method is to use a trowel or hawk and tuckpointer. When using this method stiffer mortar is preferred. Mortar is scooped onto the trowel, or hawk, and then worked into the joint with the tuckpointer. Once the mortar has set it is struck with the preferred jointing tool.
A more efficient method is to use a grout bag. Mortar is mixed with a thinner consistency and piped through the grout bag into the cleaned out mortar joints. When using a grout bag I find there is less risk of smearing mortar onto the faces of the brick.
At Redford Chimney we are experts at matching mortar and brick color, and texture. We offer free estimates for any of the following services: Chimney repair, Chimney construction, Chimney crown repair, chimney cap replacement, Chimney rebuilds, Chimineas Chimney repair, Tuckpointing, Natural stone instalation, Limestone replacement, Cultured stone, brick porch repair, Brick porch construction, Brick wall construction, toothing work, pointing and repointing work, grout replacement, and historic restoration. We look forward to the opportunity to help you with and brick, block or stone project.Redford Chimney is happy to serve the following Michigan communities - Auburn Hills, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield township, Brighton, Canton, Clarkston, Clawson, Commerce, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, Ferndale, Drayton Plains, Eastpointe, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Highland, Highland Park, Howell, Huntington Woods, Keego Harbor, Lake Orion, Lathrup Village, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Madison Heights, Milford, New Hudson, Northville, Novi, Oak Park, Orchard Lake, Orion, Orchard Lake, Ortonville, Pontiac, Redford, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Romulus, Roseville, Royal Oak, South Lyon, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Sylvan Lake, Troy, Utica, Walled Lake, Waterford, West Bloomfield, White Lake Oakland County, Wayne County, Macomb County, Livingston County
