The Difference Between Solid Tuckpointing & Spot Tuckpointing

There may be times as a homeowner that tuckpointing becomes necessary for your house or chimney. Perhaps you need the whole structure re-done or just a few specific areas that need attention. Regardless of the scope of the work, you may benefit from knowing a few of the terms frequently used, like spot and solid tuckpointing.

Solid Tuckpointing

The term “tuckpointing” basically refers to solid tuckpointing. This process is part of the maintenance required for brick-and-mortar structures, or other outdoor structures to ensure longevity. It refers to the removal of deteriorated or loose mortar joints of an entire wall or specific areas and installing fresh mortar. Experts will inspect the building and identify areas where the mortar is old, crumbling, rotting, broken or just plain ugly. After the removal of the old mortar joint, a masonry repair team will match the coloring with brand-new mortar to improve the building’s structural stability and general appearance. An entire wall or large area can be protected from weathering, aging, and other deterioration with solid tuckpointing.

Spot Pointing

Spot Pointing is just a shorter way to say Spot Tuckpointing, referring to tuckpointing done in a smaller area. This method is used for fixing localized open holes or smoothing up smaller-scale fissures that may appear on a wall that is generally still in good condition. You could see it as maintaining smaller areas to prevent large-scale deterioration. The benefit of spot pointing is that it’s quick and easy to arrange and will prevent the need for expensive and large-scale solid tuckpointing at a point in the near future.

How Can I Tell Which One I Need?

If you are unsure of whether you require spot or solid tuckpointing, all you really have to do is take a good look at your exterior walls. You can arrange for tuckpointing companies to carry out spot pointing when 10% or less of your wall is affected by mortar cracks or loose joint. If you spot any areas that need work that amount to more than that, solid tuckpointing is the only way forward. Should you decide that only spot pointing is needed, have a good look at the remaining areas.

If you see that the joints are also starting to deteriorate, you may want to consider the solid tuckpointing option, as this may work out to be more economical in the long run. If you stick to spot pointing, then the new mortar will mix with the almost failing old mortar, which will not increase the overall structural support. In fact, it may lead to you having to get solid tuckpointing done even earlier. If the overall wall or structure is starting to reflect the signs of aging, having only spot pointing done will create a very visible difference. This look is not appealing, nor ideal. In this instance, solid tuckpointing would be the wise course of action to take. Spot pointing is a useful solution at times, but preferably only if the structure has had solid tuckpointing done at least in the past 10-15 years.

Regardless of your tuckpointing requirements, whether it’s a wall that needs some attention or you need chimney tuckpointing done, it is crucial to have it done before the situation worsens. Tuckpointing companies will tell you that tuckpointing is a labor-intensive task and quotations are predominantly based on labor hours. Start with the worst areas that require tuckpointing and take it from there. If the project is relatively small, consider doing it all at once.

Remember that you need to regularly inspect all your brick structures for signs or wear and tear or significant damage. Specific area damage most frequently occurs following an intense storm when trees or debris have caused damage. Water damage can occur due to blocked gutters or when water pools around an area without proper drainage. Even household accidents can cause some damage. It’s important to get a masonry restoration expert in to inspect the damage, even if it appears simple. The damage may be more than an untrained eye can see.

It is crucial that you call only on an expert for any masonry work required. The team at Craftsmen Masonry & Tuckpointing are such experts and are thoroughly qualified to spot even the tiniest indication of damage. We pride ourselves on our customer service and will work with you to create a masonry or chimney repair estimate that suits your budget. We will plan the project around your most convenient time, and you can be assured of our professionalism at all times. Call on Craftsmen Masonry & Tuckpointing today for more information and we will gladly answer all your questions.