Brick and stone can last a hundred years or more with little maintenance. The mortar that holds them together usually can’t: it often needs attention after 20 to 25 years. Cummins Restorations has provided tuckpointing in Toronto and across the GTA since 1992, restoring worn mortar joints before water gets into the wall.
We grind out the damaged mortar, repoint the joints with a mortar matched to your brick, and leave the wall solid, weather-tight and tidy. Every job starts with a free inspection and a written estimate.
What is tuckpointing?
Tuckpointing is the process of removing the damaged outer layer of old mortar from the joints between bricks or stones and replacing it with fresh, quality mortar. In everyday use you’ll also hear it called repointing or tuck pointing, and for most homes they describe the same job.
It sounds straightforward, but done badly it can do real damage. That’s why tuckpointing is best left to an experienced masonry contractor.
Signs your Toronto brick needs tuckpointing
Sometimes the signs are obvious. Often they aren’t, and Toronto’s freeze-thaw winters are hard on mortar, so it’s worth checking your walls once a year.
- Crumbling or missing mortar. Widespread cracks or sections of crumbled mortar mean it’s time to call a professional.
- Powdery mortar. Scrape a coin along a joint. Sound mortar stays solid; if the coin kicks up a powdery residue, the mortar is breaking down.
- Joints worn back from the brick face. Recessed joints let rain sit against the brick and run into the wall.
- Moisture and staining. Damp patches, flaking brick faces or white salt deposits mean water is getting into the wall.
- Loose bricks. Once mortar can no longer bond to a brick, the brick works loose.
Not sure about your mortar? Cummins Restorations will come out to your property and give you an accurate assessment.
Why tuckpointing matters in Toronto winters
Mortar joints hold brick and stone walls together and keep moisture out. As they wear from years of exposure to Toronto’s weather, they slowly stop doing both.
Water that gets into a wall freezes and expands through our winters, cracking the mortar and eventually the brick itself. Tuckpointing restores the joints before that happens, so a small repair doesn’t grow into a bigger one.
How we tuckpoint a wall
- Inspection. Brian looks at the wall, tests the mortar and works out why it’s failing.
- Mortar matching. We choose a mortar that suits your brick and its age. Older homes often need a softer, lime-based mix, because hard cement mortar can damage soft brick. See our heritage masonry restoration page for more.
- Grinding out and repointing. Damaged mortar is cut out to a sound depth, the joints are cleaned, and fresh mortar is packed in and finished to match the surrounding wall.
- Clean-up. We clean the brick face and the site, then walk through the finished work with you.
Tuckpointing in Toronto: before and after
Worn, open mortar joints below a chimney crown, then repointed with clean, even joints.
See more of our work in the project gallery.
What affects the cost of tuckpointing in Toronto?
Every wall is different, so we give you a written price after a free inspection. The main things that affect it are:
- How much of the wall needs work, and how deep the mortar has worn
- Height and access: ladders, scaffolding or work at the roofline
- The type of brick or stone, and the mortar it needs (heritage walls take more care)
- The condition of the brick behind the joints, because damaged bricks need replacing too
- Details such as chimneys, arches and decorative brickwork
You’ll see the scope, price and start date in writing before any work begins, with no obligation.
Tuckpointing in Toronto: frequently asked questions
How long does tuckpointing last?
Mortar often needs attention after 20 to 25 years. Tuckpointing done properly, with a mortar suited to your brick, should give you many years of weather-tight joints. Exposure, the direction the wall faces and the condition of the brick all play a part.
How much does tuckpointing cost in Toronto?
It depends on how much mortar needs replacing, how deep it has worn and how hard the wall is to reach. After a free inspection we give you a written price for your wall.
When is the best time of year for tuckpointing?
Mortar needs temperatures above about 5°C while it cures, so most exterior tuckpointing in Toronto runs from spring to late fall. Booking early for spring and fall is wise.
Is tuckpointing the same as repointing?
For most homes, yes. Both mean removing failing mortar and replacing it with new. If your wall has a special joint finish, we’ll match it.
Will the new mortar match my old mortar?
That’s the aim. We match colour, texture and joint profile to the surrounding wall, and on older homes we assess the existing mortar first so the repair suits the original materials.
Do I need tuckpointing or new bricks?
Crumbling mortar needs tuckpointing. Bricks whose faces are flaking off (spalling) can’t be repaired and need to be replaced. Many walls need both. See our brick repair page.
Related masonry services in Toronto
- Brick repair in Toronto
- Chimney repair in Toronto
- Masonry repair and heritage restoration
- Parging in Toronto
- Tuckpointing in Scarborough
Read next: 6 signs freeze-thaw damage is destroying your brick.
Get a free tuckpointing estimate in Toronto
Call us today for a free consultation on any tuckpointing in Toronto. Call (416) 992-7965 or send us the details through our contact page. Cummins Restorations Inc. is fully licensed and insured, and serves Toronto and the GTA from 25 Dunelm Street.