Tuckpointing: What is it and Does My Commercial Property Need it?

Ensuring your commercial property maintains its structural integrity while staying aesthetically pleasing is important. If you have masonry work on your building, tuckpointing may be the best technique to improve both integrity and aesthetics for your commercial property.

What is Tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing is a unique masonry technique that involves filling gaps between mortar and brick on masonry chimney and walls by coordinating the color of the mortar to match the brick. The process creates the pleasing illusion of very fine joints within the wall and improves the function by preventing the entrance of water, ice, and pests that could damage the quality and strength of your building’s masonry work. The phrase “tuckpointing” may be used interchangeably with brick pointing and repointing.

How Does Tuckpointing Work?

Tuckpointing is a process that involves routing out the damaged mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar. This will improve the appearance of your masonry work and prepare it to be structurally strong for years to come.

The step-by-step procedure for tuckpointing most brick masonry projects is:

• Route out or ground out the old mortar
• In the newly routed grooves, fill mortar.
• Cut thin strips down the middle of the red mortar to form grooves.
• Prepare a mortar color that matches the original mortar on the outside of the chimney and use it to fill in the grooves.

Team Cam will do the job right, which means that the original shape of the bricks and mortar are recreated, and integrity is restored.

What are the Benefits of Tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing is a common maintenance procedure that is ideal for commercial brick structures where the mortar is wearing away. Historical brick buildings are examples of where tuckpointing is necessary because these structures are usually composed with less advanced materials, thus posing a greater risk for wear and damage. It is also important to keep its original design and structure intact to maintain historical integrity.

The process of corrosion is also something that can be stopped by tuckpointing. Other additional benefits include:

• Structural stability is restored
• Damaging moisture is sealed out
• Reduces the risk of a full tear down and rebuild of your masonry work
• Property value is increased
• Visual appeal is restored
• Reinforces structure

When tuckpointing is performed, the structure of your masonry work will keep your property sound for years to come.  If your commercial property façade is crumbling, don’t hesitate to talk with Team Cam today.