Tuckpointing in Hayward CA - mortar that fits your brick and keeps the wall tight
Mortar crumbling, cracking or sitting back from the face of the brick? We replace the failed joints with a mix that suits your wall.
How do I know if my brick needs tuckpointing?
Tuckpointing, which masons also call repointing, is replacing the worn mortar between your bricks, and in Hayward we do it by cutting out the joints that have failed and packing in fresh mortar that suits the wall, so the brick stays sound for years to come.
So what are you seeing? If the mortar has worn back more than a quarter inch from the face of the brick, crumbles when you rub it, has holes or gaps, or shows hairline cracks, including thin cracks right where the mortar meets the brick, those joints are due, and it's worth a walk around the house to check before you call. The price turns on how tall the wall is, how much of the mortar has failed, what shape the brick and the foundation are in, and how easy the wall is to reach. The schedule turns on the same things, because repointing is slow hand work done one joint at a time. We're based in Hayward and work across the city and the cities around it on both sides of the bay, and the estimate gives you the figure for your own wall.
What happens after you call us about tuckpointing?
Call or send the form
You call (510) 264-7015 or send the form, and we get back to you to set a time to see the wall. Tell us roughly where the worn joints are so I know what to look at first.
I come look at the wall
I come out myself, look the joints over and ask what you've noticed, like where the crumbling started or where you see damp after a rain. You get the estimate right there on site, so you know the number before anything starts.
We prep and do the work
Once you say yes, we sort out any permit steps, set up the site and plan our days around Hayward's posted construction hours, which run 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. When a joint needs a handheld grinder, the state lists a grinder fitted with a shroud and dust collection as the control for that dust, so ask me how we'll set it up on your wall.
Walk the finished wall together
When the joints are done, we clean up and walk the wall with you so you can see the repaired joints up close. Your satisfaction, guaranteed.
How we do tuckpointing, plus brick repair and pavers
I start by going along the wall and marking the joints that have failed, because we cut out only those and leave the sound ones alone, since a good original joint holds up better than a repointed one. Before we start, I show you which style of finished joint the quote covers, so what ends up on your wall is what we talked about. Then we clear out the old mortar. Grinders do that faster, but they can chip the brick on either side of the joint, so on old, soft brick I'd usually rather go slower by hand and keep the edges whole. We pack in mortar mixed to suit your brick, shape each joint to match the rest, brush the face clean and look it all over before we call it done, the way you taste a sauce before it leaves the kitchen.
Tuckpointing often turns up other work. If some bricks are cracked, flaking or loose, swapping them out is brick repair, and it makes sense to do it while we're already set up on the wall. A lot of the older brick houses we work on have a tired driveway out front too, and if you're planning to redo it, we also lay driveway pavers in colors that sit well next to the brick.
Get a free on-site tuckpointing estimate
Send the form and we'll reply within one business day to set up a visit. I come out myself, look over your joints and give you a free estimate on site, with no obligation.
Tuckpointing questions from Hayward homeowners
Is tuckpointing the same as repointing?
Yes, today the two words name the same job, fixing worn mortar joints in a brick wall. Tuckpointing is also the name of an older style, where a thin strip of contrasting mortar runs over a joint colored to match the brick so the joints look very thin. It's worth knowing which one a quote covers before you compare prices.
How much does tuckpointing cost in Hayward?
Tuckpointing across the US usually costs about $5 to $25 per square foot of wall. That's a national range, not a Hayward price, and where your job lands in it comes down to the wall's height, damage and access, so the estimate is where you get the number for your wall.
How long does new mortar last after tuckpointing?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the bricks may well last over 100. So a sound brick wall can need new mortar during its life, and that's normal wear, not a sign the brick has failed.
What is the best way to match new mortar to old brick?
The new mortar should be equal to or weaker in strength than the mortar already in the wall. Stronger mortar puts stress on older brick and leads to spalling, where the face of the brick breaks away. Older brickwork often takes a different mortar type than newer work, so ask any mason which mix they plan to use, and I'll tell you mine at the estimate.
Do I need a permit for tuckpointing in Hayward?
The city decides that for your job, and Hayward's Building Division is the office to ask, at (510) 583-4140 or e-permits@hayward-ca.gov. We check with the city or county office that covers your address before we start, and when a permit is required we handle the paperwork and the inspections.
What license should a masonry contractor have in California?
California's C-29 Masonry Contractor class covers contractors who install brick and other baked clay products, block, and natural and manufactured stone. We're fully licensed and insured, and I'm glad to show you that at the estimate.
Other work that often goes with tuckpointing
Brick repair
When the bricks themselves are cracked, chipped or flaking, new mortar alone won't fix the wall, and replacing those few bricks keeps the face looking whole.
Driveway pavers
If the drive in front of your brick house is cracked or tired, pavers give you a durable surface you can match in color to the house.
Send us photos of your worn joints
Call (510) 264-7015 or email office@haywardconcreteandmasonry.com with a few photos of the worn joints and a rough size of the wall in square feet, so I come out already knowing what to look for.