Tuckpointing in San Rafael CA - sound mortar joints that protect your old brick
Mortar crumbling, cracked or sunk back from the brick face? We cut it out and refill the joints so your wall is tight again.
Tuckpointing means grinding out the worn mortar, cleaning and wetting the joints, then packing in new mortar and shaping it. I come out first to make sure the mortar is really the problem, and our own crew of masons does the work.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free on-site estimates.
- We respond within 1 business day.
Tight joints that suit your old brick
I look at every wall
I come out myself to look at the joints and write the estimate, so you get a straight answer.
Licensed and insured in California
We're fully licensed and insured for the masonry work we take on, from a few joints to a whole building.
Do my brick joints need tuckpointing, and what does it take?
Tuckpointing, which most masons also call repointing, is cutting the worn mortar out of the joints between your bricks and packing in new mortar so the wall is solid again, and it's a lot of what we do on older brick around San Rafael. Before I quote it, I make sure the mortar is really what failed, because leaks, stair-step cracks and loose, cracked or flaking bricks point to brick repair instead, and new joints won't cover that. Whatever caused the damage gets found and fixed before any repointing starts, since a patch over the real problem just sends us back to the same wall. The price comes down to how much wall needs new joints, how high it goes, because walls that need scaffolding cost more per square foot, and how closely the new mortar has to match what's there. The schedule turns on the size of the job, the scaffolding setup and whether the building needs city review first. I'll walk the wall with you and put it all in a written estimate that shows what's included.
How can you tell your mortar joints are failing?
Mortar sunk back from the brick
Run a finger along the joints. If the mortar sits well behind the brick face instead of close to flush, it's wearing away and leaving room for water to sit.
Mortar that crumbles like sand
If you can scratch it out with a key or it falls away when you brush it, the mortar has given up and needs to come out.
Cracks running through the joints
Cracks that stay in the mortar and leave the bricks whole usually mean the joints have worn out, which is exactly what tuckpointing fixes.
Holes and gaps between bricks
Empty pockets where mortar has dropped out let weather into the wall, and they tend to spread, so it's worth having them looked at early.
How a tuckpointing job runs from call to cleanup
You call or send a message
- Call (628) 234-2038 or use the form
- Photos of the joints help
- Tell us how tall the wall is
- Mention if it's a Landmark
I come out and look
- I check the joints myself
- Mortar or brick, I tell you which
- My take on the spot
- Written estimate showing what's included
Our crew does the work
- We check what the city needs
- Start date set with you
- Joints ground out, cleaned and wetted
- New mortar packed and shaped
Final check before we leave
- I check the work before pack-up
- We clean up the site
- We walk the wall with you
- Satisfaction guaranteed on every job
Ask for a free tuckpointing estimate
Send your address, the wall's height, photos of the joints and whether the building is a Landmark. We reply within one business day, and the on-site estimate is free with no obligation.
Tuckpointing questions we hear
Here are straight answers to what San Rafael homeowners ask before hiring us. If yours isn't here, call (628) 234-2038 and ask me.
Is tuckpointing the same thing as repointing brick?
Yes, industry guidance treats tuckpointing and repointing as the same job, and so do we. The word can also mean an older decorative style with a thin line of contrasting mortar, so if that's what you're picturing, tell me and we'll sort it out before I quote.
How much does tuckpointing cost in San Rafael, CA?
Repointing brick across the US usually costs about $3 to $25 per square foot, which is a national range and not a San Rafael price. How much wall needs work and how high it goes decide where yours lands, and I put your figure in a written estimate.
How long does new mortar last after tuckpointing?
Industry guidance says mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the brick itself may well last more than 100. That's why owners should plan on the joints needing work again over the life of a brick wall, even when the first job was done right.
How do I know if my brick wall needs tuckpointing?
Industry guidance calls for repointing once mortar has worn back more than 1/4 inch from the brick face, or when it crumbles, has holes or shows cracks. You can check along the joints yourself before you call, and photos of what you find help me see the job before I come out.
Do I need a licensed contractor for tuckpointing in California?
Yes, unless the whole job comes to under $1,000, needs no permit and the person doing it employs no one, which are the limits of California's exemption for unlicensed minor work. A good bricklayer isn't always good at repointing either, so guidance suggests asking to see past repointing projects before you hire.
Does repointing a historic building in San Rafael need city review?
It can, because the city's historic preservation rules require Planning Commission review of exterior changes to Landmarks and to buildings in a Historic District. San Rafael is the oldest city in Marin County and has plenty of older brick, so tell me if yours is listed and we'll check with the city before work starts.
Other masonry work we do
- Service
Brick repair
When the bricks themselves are cracked, loose or flaking, new joints won't hold them, so we repair or replace those bricks first and repoint around them.
Read more Brick repair - Service
Chimney repair
Chimneys take the most weather on the house, and worn joints up there often come with a cracked crown or loose brick that needs fixing too.
Read more Chimney repair - Service
Driveway pavers
If the house is getting fresh joints, it can be a good time to replace a tired driveway with driveway pavers that suit the brick.
Read more Driveway pavers
Get a free estimate on your brick joints
Request an estimate- VisitSan Rafael, CA 94901
- Call(628) 234-2038
- Emailteam@sanrafaelconcreteandmasonry.com
- HoursMon–Fri: 8 AM–9 PM, Sat–Sun: 6 AM–9 PM
Where we work around San Rafael
We're based in San Rafael and work in cities nearby, including Novato and Mill Valley. Pick your city below, or call (628) 234-2038 if yours isn't listed.