Milwaukee Brickwork Brigade

PROFESSIONAL MASONRY CONTRACTOR IN & AROUND MILWAUKEE

Tuckpointing Services

Mortar doesn’t last forever. Over time, it cracks, flakes, and starts falling out between the bricks, especially after years of exposure to moisture and freezing temperatures. When that happens, the structure weakens, water gets in, and the whole wall begins to deteriorate. That’s where tuckpointing comes in.

We remove damaged mortar and carefully refill the joints to match the original style, color, and finish. Whether it’s a full wall, a chimney, or just a few trouble spots, proper tuckpointing helps reinforce the structure and restore the look of the masonry without requiring a full rebuild. It’s clean, precise work, and when done right, it extends the life of the wall by decades.

tuckpointing

MASONRY CONTRACTOR IN MILWAUKEE

How Tuckpointing Works

Tuck pointing is detailed, technical work — it strengthens your wall and restores its original look. When mortar joints start to crumble or wash out, the only reliable fix is to remove the failing joints and repoint them the right way. Here’s how we do it:


Assessment
We start by inspecting the wall — not just the surface joints, but the surrounding brick, corners, and structural areas. We look for signs of moisture, movement, or past repairs that could affect the work. If there’s a deeper issue, we’ll catch it before we start.


Mortar Removal
Old or deteriorated mortar is carefully ground out to a uniform depth — usually around ¾ of an inch. This has to be done cleanly to avoid damaging the surrounding bricks. We use dust-controlled tools to keep the job site cleaner and reduce airborne debris.


Mixing & Color Matching
We custom mix new mortar to match the original in color, texture, and composition. On older Milwaukee homes, this step is critical. A perfect match makes the repair disappear — a mismatch sticks out forever. We take our time and get it right.


Repointing the Joints
New mortar is tightly packed into the cleaned joints and tooled for a clean, consistent finish. This step takes a steady hand — no shortcuts. The goal is full bonding, tight lines, and a result that looks original, not repaired.


Final Check & Cleanup
Once the mortar sets, we clean the surface and do a full walkthrough to check alignment, joint strength, and finish quality. Our goal is always the same: a clean, durable repair that blends in seamlessly and stands up to Wisconsin’s freeze-thaw cycles.

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MASONRY CONTRACTOR IN MILWAUKEE

Signs You Might Need Tuckpointing

Mortar joints usually fail slowly — and by the time the damage is obvious, it’s already putting stress on the wall. Catching it early can save you from bigger repairs, brick replacement, or structural rebuilding later. Here’s what to watch for:

  • Cracked or missing mortar between bricks

  • Visible gaps or joints soft enough to flake with a fingertip

  • Water stains on interior walls or near chimneys

  • Uneven brick lines that look like the wall is shifting or settling

  • White powder or streaks on the brick surface (efflorescence)

Tuckpointing is one of the most effective ways to extend the life of a brick wall — as long as it’s done before the bricks themselves start to move, crack, or fail. If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, send us a photo or give us a call. We’ll let you know if it’s time — no pressure, just a straight answer from someone who knows masonry.

Tuckpointing involves removing damaged mortar and replacing it with new mortar that closely matches the original in both color and texture. While repointing is a more general term for renewing mortar joints, tuckpointing is more precise and usually involves color-matching for a cleaner finish. Both are common in Milwaukee masonry repair jobs.

If your brickwork has crumbling or missing mortar, moisture leaks, or visible cracks between bricks, it may be time for tuckpointing. Milwaukee’s freeze-thaw cycles are rough on masonry, and damaged joints can quickly lead to structural issues if left alone.

Tuckpointing costs depend on the size of the area, height/accessibility, and extent of the damage. For most homes in Milwaukee, small repairs may cost a few hundred dollars, while larger wall sections or chimneys can run higher. We offer free estimates so you know exactly what to expect.

A properly done tuckpointing job can last 20–30 years or more, depending on exposure to weather and moisture. That’s why it’s important to use high-quality mortar and match the original materials—something we do for every job in the Milwaukee area.

Yes. We take time to closely match the mortar color and joint profile so your repair blends in as much as possible. We’ve worked on everything from historic Milwaukee homes to newer builds, and we understand how important a seamless finish is.

MILWAUKEE BRICKWORK BRIGADE IS READY TO HELP

Don’t Wait for the Wall to Give — Fix Your Mortar Now

Tuckpointing isn’t just about appearances — it’s what keeps your wall stable, dry, and structurally sound. When mortar starts to crack, crumble, or wash out, the bricks lose their support, and your wall slowly begins to shift. Left alone, those small failures turn into costly rebuilds.

We grind out the damaged mortar and repoint the wall using a fresh mix that matches both the strength and color of the original. It’s precise work — but it’s the only way to truly extend the life of your brick and avoid much bigger problems down the road.

If you’re seeing crumbling joints, water intrusion, or bricks that feel loose when you press them — don’t wait. The sooner you act, the cleaner and more affordable the repair will be.

Call today or fill out the contact form to schedule a no-pressure inspection. You can even send us a photo — we’ll take a look and tell you exactly what’s going on.