Tuckpointing is a key mortar repair method for exterior bricks and masonry chimneys. Chicago Tuckpointing companies use this technique in masonry that involves filling the gaps between brick and mortar on masonry chimneys and walls. It involves matching the mortar colour to the brick. This creates the illusion that the wall has very fine joints. The wall is not only beautiful, but it also protects against moisture and other substances. Tuckpointing is often used interchangeably with brick pointing and mortar repointing.
This technique was discovered for the first time in England in the late 1700s. It was used to imitate a popular type of brickwork that was, at the time, in use. To create an attractive final product, the model used finely ground white lime mortar joints and appropriately sized bricks. Tuckpointing was introduced to simplify this complicated process and still produce the same attractive effect. Chicago Tuckpointing started with less expensive unrubbed bricks that were then matched with coloured mortar and laid in the correct order.
To create the illusion of cleaner brickwork, fine white mortar (often made of pipe clay or putty) was used in the open joints. Tuckpointing was traditionally done with hand tools like chisels and wire brushes. Modern technology has replaced the faulty abrasive discs with wet-cut diamond blades, which provide better precision and longer durability. When tuckpointing is done with dry diamond blades, they are also an excellent alternative.
What are the benefits of tuckpointing?
Tuckpointing can be used to repair brick structures that are showing signs of wear. Because these buildings are often made with older bricks, tuckpointing can be a great option.
Tuckpointing is a way to strengthen weaker structures by sealing them from the elements. It also creates a more appealing appeal.
Perhaps the mortar in your chimney’s masonry is missing, flaking, or cracked and you have noticed that the mortar in some places isn’t level with the mortar between bricks. Perhaps your chimney is leaning. These are all signs your chimney might need to be tucked away.
The bricks that make up your chimney may last for around 100 years. However, mortar (a cement-type mortar) between them will only last about 25 years; depending on how much they are exposed to the elements and what mortar materials were used. The mortar can soften, deteriorate, and weaken the support structure of bricks around it over time if it is exposed to water such as rain, snow, or ice. The mortar must be removed from the bricks and replaced with new mortar once it has deteriorated. This mortar repair procedure is known as “tuckpointing.”
Tuckpointing is important for preserving the life of your chimney. Its best done by a brick or a masonry company like Chicago Brick Company.
Is Chicago tuckpointing necessary?
For a chimney, mortar has a shorter life span than bricks. Mortar lasts approximately 25 years, depending on how exposed the mortar is to excessive water and other harsh conditions. This is a compact diversion rooftop that stops the chimney from being flooded in rainy weather. The chimney’s position and layout will determine how much water drains from the roof to cause erosion at the mortar joints.
The best way for homeowners to save money on mortar joints is to tuckpoint the affected areas. There are alternatives. You could allow the mortar joints to deteriorate so much that the chimney collapses.
How is tuckpointing done?
The idea behind tuckpointing is that the mortar is removed and replaced with new mortar. The following steps are required to tuckpoint a red brick chimney.
- Grounding or routing out mortar at a uniform depth
- In the newly routed grooves, fill in the red mortar.
- To form grooves, thin strips should be cut from the middle of the red mortar.
- Fill the grooves using a mortar colour that matches the exterior mortar.
