What tuckpointing is and when your brick needs it

Updated November 4, 2026 · First published March 5, 2024

Tuckpointing is the repair of mortar joints in brick: the old, deteriorated mortar is removed and replaced with new mortar. Brick walls need it when mortar is crumbling, recessed or cracked, because failing joints let water into the wall.

Signs the mortar needs attention

• Mortar that is soft, sandy or crumbling
• Joints sunk back from the face of the brick
• Gaps or cracks along the joints
• Loose bricks
• Damp patches on inside walls

How the repair is done

The deteriorated mortar is cut or raked out to an even depth, the joints are cleaned, and new mortar is packed in and tooled to shape. Removing enough old mortar matters: new mortar spread thinly over old, loose mortar will not last.

Why the mortar mix matters

Mortar is meant to be the weaker, more replaceable part of a wall. If the new mortar is harder or less permeable than the brick, stress and moisture move into the brick instead, which can cause the brick to crack or spall. Older brick usually needs a softer mortar than modern brick.

Tuckpointing versus brick replacement

Tuckpointing repairs joints. Cracked, spalling or loose bricks have to be replaced as a separate repair. Many older walls need some of both. See tuckpointing versus brick replacement.

Get it evaluated

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