Brick can last a century or more. Mortar can’t, and it isn’t supposed to. Mortar joints are designed to be the sacrificial part of the wall: they wear out first so the bricks don’t have to. The problem is that worn joints let water in, and in New York, water plus freezing temperatures equals damage.
Repointing (also called pointing, raking and pointing, or tuckpointing) replaces the worn mortar before that happens. Here’s how to tell when it’s time.
1. You can scrape the mortar out with a key
Try it on a few joints. Healthy mortar is hard. If it crumbles, turns to sand, or comes out easily, it has lost its strength.
2. The mortar sits well back from the face of the brick
Look along the wall at an angle. If the joints are recessed a quarter inch or more, rain is eroding them and water is getting into the wall.
3. Stair-step cracks
Cracks that zig-zag up through the mortar joints like a staircase can mean settlement or movement. Sometimes it’s minor; sometimes it points to a bigger structural issue. Either way, have it looked at.
4. White, chalky staining (efflorescence)
Efflorescence is salt left behind when water moves through the wall and evaporates from the surface. It’s a sign that water is getting in somewhere.
5. Bricks flaking or popping (spalling)
When water gets into brick and freezes, it can pop the face right off. Spalling often happens when joints have failed, or when a previous repair used mortar that was too hard for the brick.
6. Leaks and stains inside
Water stains, bubbling paint, or damp spots on interior walls, especially near windows, the roofline, or a chimney, are often traced back to failed mortar outside.
7. Loose bricks
If bricks move when you push them, the mortar around them has failed completely. Loose bricks on steps, parapets, or chimneys are a safety hazard and should be fixed quickly.
What repointing involves
- Find the cause. A good mason checks gutters, copings, sills, and roof flashing, because fixing the joints without fixing the water source only buys time.
- Rake out. Old mortar is cut out to a consistent depth.
- Clean and dampen. Dust is removed and the brick is dampened so it doesn’t pull water out of the new mortar too quickly.
- Repoint in layers. New mortar is packed in, matched to the wall’s color and strength.
- Tool the joints to match the existing profile.
Why mortar matching matters
Using a mortar that’s too hard is one of the most common mistakes. Hard mortar doesn’t flex or breathe, so stress and moisture move into the brick instead, causing cracking and spalling. Older brick usually needs a softer, lime-rich mix.
When to do it
Pointing should be done when temperatures stay above about 40°F, so spring through fall is ideal in New York. If you notice problems in winter, keep an eye on them and schedule the work for early spring.
Not sure what your wall needs? Text us a few photos and we’ll take a look. See more about our brick pointing and brick repair services.