How to tell if your brick needs tuckpointing

tuckpointing tips, brick repair chicago

The Importance of Tuckpointing

Tuckpointing is the process of repairing damaged mortar, which holds bricks together. While this is an often overlooked craft, it’s actually extremely important to the structural integrity of your brick structures. When done well, tuckpointing in Chicago can increase the lifespan of any brick structure significantly, while maintaining its attractive appearance. Although it’s a specialized area of brick repair in Chicago, it can be essential to preventing your bricks from entirely collapsing.

A masonry surface likely needs tuckpointing if:

If you find any sort of cracks or crumbling in your brick structure, you probably need some tuckpointing. Damage like this is only like to get worse over time, not better. Holes in the mortar are another sure sign that your bricks need the attention of tuckpointing contractors in Chicago. The best way to inspect your walls to find out if it’s time for tuckpointing in Chicago is to hit them with a thorough power washing. After it’s all clean, it’s much easier to detect any holes or damage.

How Often to Tuckpoint

Bricks are highly durable materials, which is why brickwork in Chicago is so prominent and popular. This fantastic surface can easily withstand most climates and challenges, with tuckpointing only becoming necessary every 25-30 years. Keep in mind, however, that if you’re living in areas with higher humidity or rainfall, tuckpointing may be required more frequently than that. If in doubt, contact your local tuckpointing contractors in Chicago for an inspection.

When it’s too late?

As with most repairs, there does come a time where even tuckpointing in Chicago won’t be able to save your structure. If you don’t catch damage in time, the result may be costly and time-consuming brick repair in Chicago. By this point, you’ll probably see large areas of your structure collapsing completely, with bricks coming loose and falling out. This usually means you’ll have to tear down the whole structure and start over, so be sure to stay on top of your masonry repair in Chicago!