Repoint Vs. Repair Brick

Tools

• The tools required for tuckpointing include a hammer and cold chisel or grinder to remove old mortar; a wire brush or blower to clean out the joint; a spray bottle of water, a thin steel trowel to apply new mortar; and a steel finishing tool to shape it. Cleaning the old mortar is most important. It is best to use hand tools unless you are a professional to avoid damaging the bricks.

Mortar

• It also is important to try to match the mortar. Pre-mixed mortar, which is available at any building supply store, is often made with Portland cement, while older mortars were made without cement and often contained such additives as ground sea shells or carbon. Combining cement mortar with non-cement versions in large areas can change the load factors on bricks, putting more pressure on old joints. Color also may be a factor; use metallic additives to get the right color with new mortar.

Pointing

• Once a joint is cleaned, new mortar is pressed into it with the thin-bladed trowel, matched to the width of the joint. A deep joint needs to be filled in sections; force mortar all the way into the joint and let it set and then add new layers until the whole joint is filled. Always dampen the joint and surrounding bricks with a spray bottle of water so they don't absorb all the water from the mortar.

Shaping

• Joints need to be finished or shaped with a steel shaping tool. This should match the style of existing joints, usually in a concave shape so water runs out, but sometimes in a square with a flat mortar joint. The tool should be the width of the joint, usually with a width of 3/8 or 1/2 inch. Shape before mortar starts to dry. Always use fresh mortar. If it starts to dry, mix a new batch.

Replacing

• If a brick face is damaged or spalled and flaking off, it may need to be replaced. This requires chipping out the damaged brick with a cold chisel and a hammer, cleaning the area thoroughly and sliding a new brick in place. This should be done one brick at a time in most cases so other bricks are always fully supported. Replacing many bricks in a wall is usually a job for a professional.