In case you’re wondering, the term tuckpointing refers to the method of removing worn-out mortar joints. Tuckpointing works by cutting the joints so that they’re all at a level height, after which you fill them in with fresh mortar. Tuckpointing could also refer to filling Long Beach painters walls with plastic mortar while skillfully avoiding the removal of the worn out mortar that was originally there. Basically, tuckpointing is a versatile procedure that you can use to either repair old joints or to fix cavities in the mortar joint.

Here’s a helpful guide on how to tuckpoint properly:

Preparation

It’s important to note that tuckpointing is a rather complex Long Beach painting process that requires the expertise of an experienced mason. It takes the keen and experienced eye of a mason to be able to identify problems in the mortar joints that necessitate tuckpointing.

During the initial assessment, you’ll find out what type of mortar needs to be repaired, as well as the condition of the mortar joint, whether the existing structure needs to be cleaned in its entirety and the age of the building. All of these conditions play a significant role in the repair process, and a masonry cutting wheel or a power drill can be used as tools to cut straight into the mortar joint.

Mixing Procedure

1- To ensure a successful tuckpointing process, it’s important to mix the mortar with good quality cement in order to get the right texture and color.

2- Here is a useful step-by-step process on how to get it right:

3- To remove old mortar, use reliable power tools like a grinder or saw.

4- Protect the painter Long Beach, CA units from damage if using electrical tools from Atlanta.

5- Wear protective gear.

6- Get rid of the old mortar until you get to firm mortar. However, don’t cut into more than a 1/3 of the masonry units’ depth.

7- Brush away debris and blow away fine particles until the mortar joint is completely dust-free. You can also rinse it clean if the former methods aren’t helping.

8- Choose your mortar. Typically, dehydrated mortar is recommended for its ability to reduce shrinkage.

9- Mix in the necessary additives in order to get a color that matches the existing mortar.  

10- Put all the dry ingredients together in a bowl and combine them thoroughly together.

11- Add half the recommended water.

12- Mix thoroughly again until the mixture forms into a paste-like consistency that you can shape into a ball.

13- Set the mixture aside and allow it to hydrate and set for about 2 hours or so.

14- Add more water to increase workability, but not too much that it becomes impossible to form.

Applying Mortar

-Now comes the final part, which is applying the mortar.

-First, you should dampen the tuckpointing mortar joints so that the mortar you’ve just prepared bonds well when placed onto the current joint and surface.   

-Using the uppermost tip of a trowel, pour the mortar into the joint until the mixture reaches the top and then level the surface to remove excess mortar until it’s completely flat.

-For the best results, make sure that the mortar is placed in layers of no more than a ¼ inch so that there are no voids or air pockets to contend with.

-Beginning with the vertical joints, strike them with a joint strike tool after the mortar hardens, and then follow up with the horizontal joints. You’ll know that you’ve done a good job when you’ve got a new mortar joint that looks like the last one, but with better and stronger water protection qualities.