What’s the Difference Between Tuckpointing and Repointing?

If your chimney or other masonry work is beginning to age, you may have had someone recommend tuckpointing or repointing be done. But what exactly are these processes, how are they similar, and how are they different? In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the differences and similarities between tuckpointing and repointing, so Nashville residents will have a better understanding of the differences between them.

What’s the Difference Between Tuckpointing and Repointing?

First off, let’s discuss the similarities. Tuckpointing and repointing are both processes that are done to protect the mortar in your masonry work. Mortar is the part between the brick or block that is typically grey in color, though it can be stained to other colors as well. It essentially acts like an adhesive that holds the brick or block together, which then hardens over time into part of your chimney’s structure.

Though mortar, being a cement compound mixed with sand and water, seems like a hard, long-lasting material after it hardens, it actually ages over time and can be damaged. Tuckpointing and repointing are different levels of replacing some of that mortar, but in one case is preventative, while in the other it’s curative.

Tuckpointing

Tuckpointing is done when your mortar is beginning to age, but does not yet have deep damage that would require all of the mortar to be replaced. The process essentially adds a fresh layer of mortar at the surface to wear with time, preventing damage from going further into your masonry joints. In some situations, it can also be done for aesthetic purposes, such as changing out the surface mortar for one that has a greater or lesser degree of contrast compared to the existing mortar.

Tuckpointing involves finding a replacement mortar that will be a good match with your existing brickwork. Your chimney professional will then use a chisel or grinder to remove some of the surface mortar, then carefully fill the shallow gaps that have been created with the new mortar, and then finish the surface of the joint to create a smooth, even appearance.

This process creates a new mortar surface that will also wear over time, and protects the existing mortar that is deeper into the structure. This means that it’s protecting your chimney’s structural integrity as well by providing additional protection to the existing mortar. If you continue to have your chimney periodically tuckpointed over its lifespan, you may never need to have your chimney repointed due to deeper damage.

Repointing

By comparison, repointing, which may also be referred to as pointing or pointing-up, involves much deeper work on mortar that is beginning to fail at the structural level, putting your chimney’s structural strength at risk. In repointing, you’re actually receiving a repair to your chimney system, while tuckpointing is more of an issue of maintenance. For this reason it’s more important that repointing be handled properly to prevent the possible structural failure of your chimney.

When repointing is done, the masonry is carefully inspected and any damaged or loose mortar is removed with a grinder or chisel, and the joints are then cleaned out. A new mortar mix is prepared, and the prepared joints are filled with the point of a trowel and pushed deeply into the joint to fill the area until the joint is level with the surface. The mortar is allowed to dry overnight, and a soft brush and damp cloth are then used to remove excess mortar or any stains on the masonry surface.

This process also creates a new mortar surface, but it also fills deeply into the joints between the bricks or blocks to restore the chimney’s structural integrity and strength. If you undertake regular tuckpointing, you shouldn’t have to have your chimney repointed, because it is already being protected by the tuckpointing process.

By having a better understanding of the differences between tuckpointing and repointing, Nashville residents will have a better understanding of the amount of work a your chimney needs based on the recommendation of a your chimney professional. If you need tuckpointing, it’s more of an aesthetic and preventative treatment, while repointing is undertaken to reinforce and repair damaged mortar to restore the chimney’s structural integrity.

If you have concerns about the condition of your chimney, the experienced professionals at Allegiance Chimney Solutions in Nashville offer tuckpointing, repointing and chimney and masonry repairs. Whether you just want tuckpointing to give your chimney’s mortar an extended lifespan or need repointing to repair structural damage, our team of experienced chimney professionals are always happy to discuss your options with you. Why not contact us today with any questions or to schedule an appointment?