Tuckpointing is an important procedure in masonry repair. Every once in a while, the mortar layer between your bricks might be damaged, most likely due to the seeping water and high moisture, and it crumbles down, endangering the entire structure. Tuckpointing is the process of taking out this mortar layer and replace it with a new one to improve the mortar’s longevity. Tuckpointing is a very common procedure in Texas, and because it takes a lot of time and skills to be carried out, so most of the time, only masonry repair experts can take on this task.
Tuckpointing is almost a necessary process in masonry repair, but many people don’t realize its importance. Some people just assume that their house doesn’t really need any masonry repair, but without tuckpointing, your house will be under a serious risk of collapsing.
To determine whether your wall will need tuckpointing or not, simply use a screwdriver and drag it along the mortar. If there are mortar crumbles on your screwdriver, then perhaps tuckpointing is necessary. If there isn’t any trace of mortar on your screwdriver, then your mortar is still fine and tuckpointing is not really necessary at this moment.
When to know you need tuckpointing or masonry repair
Most of the times, however, you don’t really need a screwdriver to determine if tuckpointing has become a necessity. There are some pretty telling signs that the naked eye can see, so if your house is more than 10 years of age, don’t miss out the following signs:
- Weathered and flaky mortar: this is a very telling sign that the structural integrity of your mortar is at its limit. It’s important to contact masonry repair experts as soon as possible when you see this sign.
- Cracked or missing mortar: a very big red flag. Don’t miss out this sign as it means your mortar needs immediate replacement.
- Color mismatch in the mortar: While this does not necessarily mean your mortar is in dire need of tuckpointing, it points out that the previous tuckpointing procedure was of sub-par quality. You might want to consider getting another tuckpointing if possible, as a bad tuckpointing will only do more harm to your wall.
Tuckpointing should not be delayed, for if the mortar is not replaced as soon as possible, structural problems will appear, mostly due to the fact that the mortar has been compromised by excessive moisture. Furthermore, getting your wall tuckpointed as soon as possible is also a good way to save costs, as the more you let the issues develop.
Finding the right masonry repair experts to help you with tuckpointing is, understandably, difficult. If you are looking for the best services in Texas, our experts at Masonry Dr will gladly lend you their hands. With years of experience in the field, they are guaranteed to deliver to you nothing but the most satisfying services and the best advice. For personalized consultation and quotes, don’t hesitate to contact us now!
