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"What is Tuck Pointing"?

Marissa Irakoze

The most common question we get asked when explaining what we do for a living is, "what is tuckpointing?"


Most of the time, people aren't aware of what this trade is, or even the necessity to brick and stone buildings, until they are already deeply in need of it. The information found on the internet can be a bit confusing and trying to gather quotes and learn all you can at the same time can feel overwhelming. We love answer any and all questions that our clients have, because we believe the more education we can share, the better quality tuckpointing people will get on their homes, and better quality work means people will need their buildings tuck-pointed less frequently!


So let's answer the question already - what IS tuckpointing?

The short answer,

Tuck pointing is the art of removing old and deteriorated mortar between brick and stone joints (a fancy word for the space between each brick) and replacing it with fresh, new mortar.


A simple google search will show you that people have pretty differing opinions on what this actually means, so to clear up any conclusion, I will outline how our company does this process!


  1. Grind out the old, deteriorated mortar.

This is a pretty crucial step in the process, and without it the term we would technically call it would be "spot pointing". We know that there are other companies out there that primarily work by doing "spots" on a wall (this will be more thoroughly explained in a later post), and it generally is a lot cheaper! However, the work does not last nearly as long and can cause more serious issues in the brick and stone-work later down the road.


Traditionally, a big "rake", which is a specially designed tool for this process, would have been used. We now use angle grinders to complete this process. As of March 2022, we are a dust-free company. Meaning, when grinding with the angle grinders, we use high-power vaccuums that capture about 99% of the dust. This means significantly less mess for you as the homeowner, and safer working conditions for anyone working on the project!




2. Re-point each mortar joint.

There are several components to what makes this process so detailed. First of all, its a bit of a skill using and hawk and jointer tools at the correct angle to be able to fit the mortar in between the bricks or stones. We also have to make sure that it is packed thoroughly so no spaces are left un-filled. This will ensure that the area is thoroughly water-proofed and no rain or water can get into the crevices.

Lastly, the type of mortar is an important detail that should never be overlooked. Materials that should NOT be used while re-pointing bricks and stones: caulk, cement, tar, and mortar-in-a-tube (this one is obviously debatable, but it's very easy to apply incorrectly and nearly impossible to remove from the face of the bricks, resulting in a "messy"-looking area).



Type N mortar is recommended for bricks, Type S is used for stones, and Type O is occasionally used for certain historic bricks. The difference between these products is mostly the ratio of lime-stone (a ground up stone) to sand, and they are specially designed to bind correctly to the bricks or stones.

At this point in the process, the client is also able to pick which mortar color to use. If the section is a part of a big wall with a certain color of mortar, we do our best to match to the surrounding areas. However, if we are doing an entire wall and the client would like to change the color to create a certain look or aesthetic, there are many colors to choose from! The most common are grey, tan, black, and red.


3. Acid wash the completed sections.

The last major step of the process is to acid wash the freshly tuck-pointed area. This process happens after the mortar cures. We use a thick brush and apply an acid-based cleaner and rinse thoroughly with water. You'll notice that the color of the mortar will change slightly, as the acid helps remove any excess lime powder found in the masonry mortar, and will take a bit of the dye with it. It also helps to clean the surounding bricks, and the result is a brand new-looking wall!




After we finish these three steps, we finish cleaning the areas we have worked in, pack up the scaffolding, and get out of your space to enjoy your newly tuckpointed wall!


We know that trying to find a trusted company to work on your home or building can be extremely intimidating and we hope you find this article useful.


One of the many reasons Saint Louis is so unique is because our city has a lot of older brick houses! Do you live in the St. Louis area and have a brick home? Give us a call and we would love to give you a free quote, and talk through your specific brick and stone needs!


Stay solid,


Marissa Irakoze Irakoze Tuckpointing LLC

(314)532-7067




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