Tuckpointing in Hawthorne CA - Mortar joints that keep water out of your brick
Crumbling, cracked or sunken mortar between your bricks? We cut out the joints that are failing and pack them full again to keep water out.
Custom Hawthorne Concrete and Masonry is a masonry contractor based in Hawthorne, and we work here and in the cities around it. We're best known for careful brick repair and solid block walls, and a lot of our calls start with crumbling mortar between the bricks. Tuckpointing in Hawthorne is how we fix that, one failing joint at a time.
- The owner prices every job
- Only failing joints get redone
- Prep first, then mortar
What tuckpointing involves on your brick
Tuckpointing, which most masons also call repointing, means cutting out worn mortar between your bricks and packing in new. Most calls start with sandy grit at the base of a wall, joints sunk back from the brick, or a damp patch inside. We fix the joints that are failing and leave the sound ones alone, because good original mortar beats new mortar.
The price mostly comes down to how many joints are failing, how deep the damage goes and how hard the wall is to reach, since a chimney or a second story takes more setup than a garden wall. Cracked or loose bricks add brick repair to the job. The schedule turns on how much wall there is and whether a leaking downspout gets fixed first. The estimate gives you the price in writing.
- Marking the joints. Before any cutting starts, we mark which joints come out, so you can see exactly what you're paying for.
- Raking out. We cut old mortar back to solid material, because smearing fresh mortar over loose joints is a bad meal with nice plating.
- Repacking. New mortar goes in a layer at a time, each one firmed up before the next, so the joint is full to the back.
- Matching the look. We shape the finished joints to match the profile and color of the old ones, so the repair doesn't stand out.
Tuckpointing jobs we take on
Most of the tuckpointing we do is on houses, but any brick laid in mortar can wear the same way. Here's where we usually find it.
House walls
Exterior brick walls where the joints have worn back or crumbled, usually worst under a roof edge or beside a downspout that spills onto the wall.
Chimneys
Brick chimneys with open or cracked joints that let water into the brick. We repoint from the roofline up and look over the top while we're there.
Garden walls and planters
Freestanding brick walls, planters and pillars, where joints often fail first at the base or near a sprinkler that keeps hitting the brick.
Steps and porches
Brick steps, stoops and porch edges where foot traffic and water wear the joints out, which can leave loose bricks you'll trip on.
Have brick work that isn't listed here, or another job like new driveway pavers? Ask us when you call, and we'll talk it through.
Why careful tuckpointing pays off
Done right, new joints keep water out of the wall for a long time while the original brick stays put. Done badly, the new mortar fails early or, worse, damages the brick around it.
- A softer mixBrick industry guidance says new mortar should be no stronger than the old, since a harder mix can chip the brick face for good.
- Lime or cementLime mortar is soft and moves little with temperature, while straight portland cement mortar is hard, shrinks as it sets and moves more.
- Water fixed firstRepointing guidance says a leaking downspout or other drainage problem has to be fixed first, or new joints wash out like the old.
- Clean brick facesMortar left smeared on brick sets hard and stains, so we brush the joints clean as they firm up instead of scrubbing later.
How a tuckpointing job goes
I come out and look
You call, and I come out to look at the joints and what's around them, like gutters, downspouts and how the yard drains.
You get it in writing
I write the estimate myself after the visit, and you get the price in writing, so you know what the job costs before you decide.
We work, then walk it
If you go ahead, our crew preps the site, covers what needs covering and cleans as we go. When it's done, I walk it with you.
Why homeowners call us for tuckpointing
Most of our calls come from homeowners with crumbling joints, a leaky chimney or a wall starting to lean, and the fix starts with prep. The work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
The owner writes the estimate
I come out, look at the job myself and write the estimate, so the person pricing it has actually seen your wall.
Our own crew does it
Our own crew does the work, with me or our lead mason running it, so nobody on your site is a stranger to the job.
Prep before speed
I'd rather do the slow part right than save a day and hand you a problem later. Call (424) 307-8119 and I'll come take a look.
Hiring a mason in Hawthorne and nearby
California's state licensing board says even a brick wall built just for looks needs a contractor licensed in C-29 masonry or landscaping, so check the license of anyone who quotes your job. We're licensed and insured, based in Hawthorne and working in the cities around it, including Inglewood and Gardena.
Raking out old joints raises fine dust, and Cal/OSHA treats repair work like this as construction, with a rule covering the silica in that dust. Around here we see plenty of brick chimneys, planter walls and house fronts that haven't been touched in years, so there's real cutting involved, and it belongs with a crew set up for it.
Tell us about your brick joints
Use the form to send photos of cracked or crumbling joints and any leaking downspouts. We reply within 1 business day, and the on-site estimate is free with no obligation.
Call (424) 307-8119Tuckpointing questions we hear
Is tuckpointing the same as repointing?
Yes, in everyday use both words mean the same repair, cutting out worn mortar and packing in new. Tuckpointing is also the name of an older decorative finish, a flush, brick-colored joint with a thin strip of contrasting mortar that looks like a fine joint. When you get a quote, ask whether it covers joint repair or that decorative look.
How do I know if my brick mortar joints need repair?
A joint needs repair when the mortar has worn back more than 1/4 inch, crumbles, has holes, or shows hairline cracks or gaps between brick and mortar. Repointing is slow hand work, so we redo only those joints and leave the sound ones in place.
How long does new mortar last on a brick house in Hawthorne?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, according to brick industry guidance, while the bricks themselves can last well over 100. That makes repointing upkeep you plan for every so often on a brick home, while the original brick stays where it is.
Does a small repointing job in California need a licensed contractor?
California lets an unlicensed person take work under $1,000 only when it needs no permit and no hired workers. The state licensing board says any job needing a permit of any kind, or hired help, calls for a license even under that amount, so a repointing job done with a crew needs a licensed contractor.