Tuckpointing in Apopka FL - sound mortar joints that keep water out of brick
Mortar crumbling or worn back from the brick? We repoint the joints so the wall sheds water, or tell you it can wait.
Do your mortar joints need tuckpointing?A straight answer in Apopka
Tuckpointing, also called repointing, means cutting out worn mortar between your bricks and packing in new. It's the joint work Custom Apopka Concrete and Masonry does on brick homes in Apopka, FL. When joints crumble, water works into the wall, and repointing is one of the best ways to stop it.
Plenty of small cracks can wait, so I look first and tell you straight whether the joints need work now or can hold off. If water is getting inside, we find where it's coming from before we touch the mortar, because I'd rather fix the cause than cover up the crack.
Price comes down to how much wall needs it, how deep the old mortar is gone, how high we're working and how closely the new mortar has to match the old color. The schedule turns on the size of the job and whether it needs a permit, which we pull when it does. Your written estimate gives your figure.
You'll get my honest read on your walls, even when the answer is that they can wait, so call (407) 358-0149.
Where we do tuckpointing on brick
Mortar on a chimney takes a different beating than mortar on a garden wall, so we look at what the wall does and what's already in the joints before we mix anything.
Brick house walls
We cut out the worn joints and pack in mortar matched to the old. Cracked or loose bricks get brick repair at the same time.
Chimneys
Chimney joints sit up high and take water from every side, so we check the cap and crown along with the mortar before we price it.
Brick steps and borders
Mortared steps, planters and drive borders wear at the joints where feet and water hit them. If the whole drive is due, we also lay driveway pavers.
Why homeowners call Custom Apopka Concrete and Masonryfor brick and mortar work
You talk to me, not a salesperson, and I'd rather tell you something about your wall now than have you find it out later.
I do the estimate myself
I come out and look at the joints and the wall around them myself, then put what I find in writing so you can read it again later.
Our own masons, with me there
Our own crew of masons and helpers does the work, and I'm on site while they do it, so your questions get answered right there.
In business since 2013
I ran jobs and crews for another masonry contractor around Apopka before I started this business in 2013, so worn mortar is nothing new to me.
Licensed and insured
We're licensed and insured, and you're welcome to ask which kind of Florida license we hold and check it yourself before you sign anything.
Satisfaction guaranteed on every job
That's our promise, and it's why we walk the finished wall with you and go over the joints together before we call the job done.
Get your mortar joints checkedby Custom Apopka Concrete and Masonry
Tell us where the worn or cracked joints are, and add photos or a note about any leaks inside. We reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate, with no pressure and no obligation.
How a repointing job runsfrom your call to a finished wall
You deal with me from the first look to the last walk-through, and the estimate is in writing so you know what you're paying for before we start.
Call or send the form
Call (407) 358-0149 or use the form, and if you can, send photos of the worn joints and a note about any leaks you've noticed inside.
I look at the wall
I come out and check the joints, the brick and any spots where water gets in, then give you a written estimate that says what needs work now and what can wait.
Permit and prep
If the job needs a permit, we pull it and set up the inspections. Then we cover plants, windows and walks near the wall before any grinding starts.
Cut out and repoint
Our crew cuts the worn mortar back to sound material and packs in new mortar matched to the old, with me on site while they work.
Walk the finished wall
We clean up and walk the wall with you so you can see every joint, and I'll tell you what to watch for over the next few months.
Tuckpointing questions we hear
What signs mean my mortar needs repointing?
A long-standing brick industry guide says mortar worn back more than 1/4 inch from the brick face, crumbling, full of gaps or showing hairline cracks needs repointing. If you see any of that, it's worth having someone look at the wall closely. Send us a few photos and I'll come take a look.
Does every crack in my brick mortar need fixing right away?
No, many walls handle minor cracks just fine, and a brick industry guide says cracked mortar doesn't necessarily need repair right away. Repair makes more sense when the cracks line up with water getting inside and other causes have been ruled out, so we look before we cut anything.
How long does new mortar last after tuckpointing?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the brick itself may well last more than 100. That's why the joints are usually the first part of a brick wall to need work, and repointing renews just that part.
What is the white film on new mortar after repointing?
It's usually bloom, also called efflorescence, and it sometimes shows up in the first few months and weathers away on its own. If it stays, a federal preservation guide says dry brushing with a stiff natural or nylon bristle brush, then wet brushing, is the safest way to remove it.
How much does tuckpointing cost in Apopka, FL?
Your cost comes from how much wall needs repointing, how deep the old mortar is worn and how hard the joints are to reach. Doing only the faces that are worn costs less than the whole house, and a chimney or second-story wall costs more because of the ladders and staging. Your written estimate gives your number.
How do I pick a good contractor for tuckpointing in Apopka?
Ask to see past repointing jobs, because a good bricklayer isn't always good at repointing, and ask how they'll match the new mortar to the old. New mortar should be as strong as the old or weaker, since stronger mortar can damage the brick face. In Florida, also ask whether their license is certified, which covers the whole state, or registered, which covers only the cities or counties where they hold a certificate of competency, and check it with the state.
Tuckpointing around Apopka and nearby
We're based in Apopka and work in the cities around it. Here the city's Building-Safety Department handles permits, and when it isn't clear a job needs one, we check with them before we start. Pick your area below.
Book your tuckpointing estimate in Apopkawith the owner coming out
Call (407) 358-0149 any day until 11 PM or email quotes@apopkaconcreteandmasonry.com, and I'll come look at your joints and put the tuckpointing estimate in writing, so you know what the wall needs before more water gets in.