Tuckpointing in Wake Forest NC - sound mortar joints matched to your old brick
Crumbling, cracked or recessed mortar between your bricks? We rake out the worn joints and refill them with mortar suited to your brick.
Do the mortar joints on your brick house need tuckpointing?
Tuckpointing in Wake Forest, which most masons more properly call repointing, means raking the worn mortar out of the joints between your bricks and packing in new mortar, so the wall itself stays and only the tired joints get replaced.
Most people notice it low on a wall or under a gutter first: mortar that's turned sandy, a crack stepping through the joints, or joints sitting back from the face of the brick. The price moves with how much of the wall needs work, how tall the wall is and whether we need scaffolding, how stubborn the old mortar is to get out, and whether any bricks need brick repair first. The schedule mostly turns on weather mild enough for mortar to cure and, for historic district homes, Wake Forest's approval, and your written estimate lays out what we'd do on your wall and why.
How we do tuckpointing on your house
We start by telling you plainly which joints we'd rake out and refill, because contractors call this work by a few names and the name alone won't tell you what you're paying for. We redo only the damaged joints, since sound original mortar does its job better than new mortar ever will. Our masons clean the worn mortar out down to solid material, mix new mortar that's no harder than what's already in your wall, because a stronger mix can damage the brick face for good, then pack the joints full and tool them to look like the old ones. We like to plan the job for mild spring or fall weather so the mortar can cure well instead of drying too fast, and we clean the brick and the ground below before we leave.
When a brick has cracked or its face has flaked off, we replace it as part of brick repair so the new joints have solid brick on both sides. A lot of the brick homes we see also have a tired concrete drive out front, and we lay driveway pavers in colors that sit well next to old brick.
Why Wake Forest homeowners call Premier Wake Forest Concrete & Masonry for tuckpointing
I write your estimate myself
I come out to look at your wall and write the estimate myself, then our own masons do the work while I check in as it goes. You deal with the same person from the first walk-around to the last joint, so nothing gets lost between the estimate and the crew.
Brick and mortar since 2020
I started this business in 2020 after learning the trade on other masons' crews, and brick and mortar repair is still what we're best known for. We're based in Wake Forest and work in the cities around it, from Raleigh and Durham up to Oxford and Henderson.
Historic homes planned around approval
For historic district homes in Wake Forest, we plan around the city's approval before any work starts. That way no one is raking out joints on your house before the go-ahead is in hand.
Covered on every job
We're licensed and fully insured, so the risk of having a crew on your wall isn't sitting with you. Every job is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
If you can, snap a few photos of the worn joints, note roughly how tall the wall is and whether your home is in the Local Historic District, then request your estimate or call (984) 237-6028.
Get a written tuckpointing estimate for your brick
We reply to every call and message within one business day. I'll set a time to come out, walk the wall with you and put in writing which joints we'd redo and why, and the estimate is free with no obligation. Photos you send ahead help me come prepared.
Repointed brick and mortar joints
What homeowners ask about tuckpointing
How do I know if my brick mortar needs repointing?
Your mortar needs repointing where it crumbles, has gaps or cracks, or has worn back more than 1/4 inch into the joint. Only those damaged joints need work, so many houses need a section redone rather than every wall. The lower courses and the spots under gutters and downspouts usually show wear first.
How much does tuckpointing cost in Wake Forest?
Across the US, tuckpointing or repointing brick usually costs about $500 to $2,500 per 100 square feet. That's a national figure, not our price, and where your wall lands in it comes down to the things covered near the top of this page, like wall height and how many joints are worn. Your written estimate lays out exactly what we'd do on your wall.
When is the best time of year for repointing brick?
Spring and fall are usually best, and one national cost guide advises working when daytime temperatures stay between 40 and 90 degrees for at least 24 to 72 hours. The same guide says emergency work in winter or a heat wave will likely cost more, so calling before the season you want can help keep the price down.
Does my Wake Forest historic district home need approval before tuckpointing?
Yes, a property in the Local Historic District or a Local Historic Landmark needs a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Town of Wake Forest for any exterior work, and that includes repointing your outside walls. The district sits mostly along N. Main Street with a portion on South Avenue, and the Historic Preservation Commission issues the certificates. Wake Forest's historic design standards favor repairing original materials and matching replacements only where parts are past repair, which fits redoing just the worn joints.
How long does repointed mortar last on a brick house?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, depending on how exposed the wall is and the mortar used, while the brick itself may last well over 100 years. So a brick home can expect joint repairs from time to time while the brick holds up, and that's normal wear, not a sign something is wrong with the house.
Does a tuckpointing contractor need a license in North Carolina?
The state's general contractor licensing board says a general contractor must be licensed when the total project cost is $40,000 or higher. Whatever the size of your job, it's worth asking any contractor about their license and insurance before work starts.
Other work that often goes with tuckpointing
- Brick repair
If some bricks are cracked, flaking or loose, replacing them before the joints get new mortar gives the wall a sound face and the mortar solid brick to bond to.
- Driveway pavers
When your old drive is cracked or sinking, pavers in a color that suits your brick give you a surface you can fix one piece at a time.