What repointing is
Repointing means removing worn mortar from the joints between bricks and filling them with fresh mortar. It is the standard repair for crumbling or cracked mortar joints.
What tuckpointing is
Strictly speaking, tuckpointing is a finishing technique. The joints are filled with mortar that matches the brick, and a thin line of contrasting mortar is added on top so the joints look finer.
In everyday Chicago use, “tuckpointing” has come to mean the whole job of repairing mortar joints, which is why you will see both words on quotes.
So which one do you need?
Most walls simply need repointing. A decorative tuckpointed finish is a style choice, mostly found on historic or high-end brickwork. When you ask for a quote, describe the problem, for example crumbling joints, and ask what the contractor will do.
What matters more than the name
- The old mortar is ground out to a proper depth instead of just smeared over.
- The new mortar suits your brick: mortar that is too hard can damage old, soft brick.
- The color and joint style match the rest of the wall.
