House walls near downspouts
Joints close to gutters, downspouts and the ground usually wear first because they stay wet longest, so we often repoint one wall or a few low courses instead of the whole house.
Tuckpointing in Loveland CO - fresh, firm mortar joints for your brick walls
Crumbling or cracked mortar between your bricks? We rake out the worn joints and pack them with fresh mortar so your wall is sound again.
- Licensed and fully insured.
- Free estimates at your property.
- We respond within 1 business day.
What tuckpointing does for a brick wall
Tuckpointing, which most masons now call repointing, means we cut the worn mortar out of the joints in your Loveland brick and pack in new mortar, so the wall stays tight and water has a harder time working its way in.
Most people call me after spotting crumbling joints or a crack running between the brick and the mortar. The price mostly depends on how much of the wall needs new joints, how deep the old mortar has worn, how high we have to work and whether any bricks need replacing. The schedule depends on how big the job is and whether a permit or a historic review has to come first. Your estimate lists everything the price covers in one place.
The City of Loveland requires a building permit for alterations, so on every job I check with the building department, and when a permit's needed we handle the application and set up the inspections. We're based in Loveland and work across Berthoud, Windsor, Fort Collins and the cities around it.
I'm the one who comes out
I look at your wall and write the estimate myself, then I work on site alongside our masons, so the person who walked the job with you is there while it gets done.
Your price written in one place
We write down what the price covers, from how much wall gets new joints to any bricks being swapped out, so you know exactly what you're paying for before we start.
Licensed, insured and guaranteed
We're licensed and fully insured, and our promise is satisfaction guaranteed on every job. Ask me anything about the mortar, the joints or the plan, before we start or while we're working.
How we rake out and repoint the joints
I start by walking the wall with you and asking a few questions, like how old the house is and where you've noticed crumbling, because that tells me which joints need work now. Then our masons cut the worn mortar back to solid material, brush the joints clean and pack in new mortar in layers so it bonds all the way back instead of sitting on the surface like a patch. We finish each joint to match the shape of the ones around it so the repair blends in.
On older homes I pick a mortar that's no harder than what's already in the wall, because the joints are supposed to take the wear so the bricks don't have to. If some bricks are cracked or flaking, we take care of them with brick repair at the same time. If the driveway pavers out front have sunk or shifted, I'm happy to look at those on the same visit.
Repointing is its own skill, and a fine bricklayer isn't always good at it, so I'd rather show you than tell you. We're glad to show you walls we've repointed, or to do a small sample in a spot nobody sees so you can judge the color and finish before we touch the rest.
Where brick joints wear out around the house
Chimneys above the roofline
A chimney is open to the weather on every side, so its joints often go before the house walls do, and loose mortar up there can let bricks shift and work free.
Garden and retaining walls
Yard walls often hold soil on one side, so open joints let water and dirt push through. We repoint them while the wall is still straight, before the damage spreads.
Front steps and porches
Steps take foot traffic, shovels and ice melt, so their joints break up faster than a wall's. We repoint them so the bricks sit firm and don't rock underfoot.
Get a written estimate for your brick joints
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day to set a time. I come out, look at the joints and write up a free estimate, with no obligation.
Photos of the worn joints
A few close-ups of the crumbling or cracked spots, plus one shot of the whole wall, help me get a sense of the size of the job before I come out.
How old the house is
The age of the brickwork guides which mortar fits it, so even a rough guess at when the house was built helps when we talk about the mix.
Whether it's a listed landmark
If your home is on the city's historic register, there's an extra step before the permit, covered in the questions below, and knowing early keeps it from holding things up.
Brick, stone and mortar joint examples
These sample photos show joint shapes, mortar colors and brick patterns that are worth talking through when we look at your wall together.
Questions about repointing brick in Loveland
These are the questions Loveland homeowners ask me most about worn joints, mortar choices, cost and the city's rules for older homes.
How do I know my mortar needs repointing?
Your mortar needs repointing when it's crumbling, has gaps or holes, shows hairline cracks, or has pulled away from the brick. The simplest check is depth, because mortar worn back more than 1/4 inch into the joint means it's time. Press a key into a few joints, and send me a photo if you're not sure.
How long does tuckpointing last on a brick house?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the bricks themselves may well last more than 100. A brick wall usually outlives its mortar, so repointing is something you plan for as the house ages. It doesn't mean the wall is failing.
Do cracks in my mortar need to be fixed right away?
Not always. Cracks or wear in mortar aren't automatically a reason for an immediate repair, so you can often plan the work instead of rushing it. Even small cracks can let more water into the wall, though, so I'll tell you honestly whether yours can wait or should be done sooner.
What mortar should be used on an older brick home?
An older brick home needs new mortar that's no stronger than the mortar already in the wall. Stronger mortar pushes the stress onto the old brick, and the brick faces can start to flake and pop off, which masons call spalling. The mix that suits older brick often differs from what suits newer brick, so ask any mason how their mix compares with yours.
How much does tuckpointing cost in Loveland?
Tuckpointing costs more as the number of joints, how deep they're worn and how hard the wall is to reach go up, and less when only a section needs work. Replacing bricks or matching an older mortar adds to it. After I look at the wall, you get a written estimate with everything the price covers in one place.
Can a historic Loveland home get its permit fees waived?
Yes, homes on the Loveland Historic Register can have building permit fees waived for exterior restoration. The order matters, because you need an approved Landmark Alteration Certificate before the fee waiver and the building permit. The city's Historic Preservation Commission decides those applications, so tell me early and we'll plan around it.
Other masonry work that goes with repointing
Send us a photo of your joints
We pick up every day from 7 AM to 11 PM, so call (970) 292-7476 or use the form whenever you get a minute.