Moisture and time can cause mortar to degrade and break down, causing joints to fall out or turn to dust. Water cannot enter the wall unless the joints are kept solid. If tuckpointing is neglected for too long, it may evolve into bricklaying. Water leaking through a tiny fracture in the mortar joint during winter and spring freeze/thaw cycles might cause brick movement.
Read along to discover how to maintain your brick tuckpointing.
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What is Tuckpointing
Tuckpointing, also known as repointing or brick pointing, is a method that uses a narrow ridge of lime putty or fine lime mortar to finish or repair mortar seams between bricks or stones. It improves the appearance of a building and contributes to the preservation or strengthening of the structure’s integrity by preventing moisture from getting in. Tuckpointing is a skill only an experienced mason can provide to keep your walls and chimneys free of further moisture damage.
If you want to know more about tuckpointing, you may visit our article Tuckpointing Before and After: What You Need To Know for more information.
Benefits of Tuckpointing
According to a foundation repair expert, there are various advantages to hiring a tuckpointing service. Repairing deteriorating mortar joints with tuckpointing can help your property last longer by preventing further corrosion and structural instability. It is also possible to keep water out of your basement by tuckpointing your walls, which will help to prevent additional water damage issues such as mold and mildew.
Tuckpointing might help you save money on an otherwise expensive construction job. Repairing the mortar joints would be cheaper than tearing down the building and starting over. With tuckpointing, you may save money and extend the life of your home by enhancing or restoring its beauty. Your home’s worth can be preserved or even increased with the use of a well-thought-out framework.
Maintaining Your Brick Tuckpointing
Periodic maintenance is required to keep the tuckpointing and bricks strong. Tuckpointing is the act of removing and rebuilding the mortar joints between the brickwork of your home’s exterior (or any wall, really). You should replace your home’s Tuckpointing around every ten to fifteen years on average.
An experienced Masonry Contractor will determine repairs after a thorough inspection of the property. Tuckpointing is sometimes all that is required. Occasionally, the entire structure must be re-created from scratch. It is essential to keep the mortar joints between the bricks sealed.
Inspection
Structures may benefit from a thorough inspection and maintenance plan. It’s a good idea to learn about the materials utilized in a structure and how they’ve performed through time.
An expert contractor should regularly inspect a building’s materials to determine if repairs are necessary. It is possible to conduct these inspections regularly (annually, biennially, etc.) or more sporadic.
Building materials should be observed in various weather conditions during seasonal inspections. The inspection report should identify any changes in materials, potential performance issues, or subsequent maintenance activities or repairs. Photographing the floor plans and elevations of the building can aid in the detection of damage patterns. When conducting exterior surveys to check on the condition of higher floors, binoculars should be utilized. Viewing difficult-to-see facade details from surrounding balconies or roofs is another option.
When inspecting the interior, keep an eye out for any water damage or staining signs.
Sealant Replacement
Water penetration may occur through sealants between masonry and other components such as windows, doorframes, and expansion joints. Sealant joints at these locations should be inspected to determine if they are missing, have decayed, torn, or lost their flexibility.
Sealants that have degraded should be gently removed, and any leftover sealant should be thoroughly cleaned out. The primed and filled junction should be sealed with an adequately sized backer rod (or bond breaker tape if the joint is too tiny for one) and a complete bead of a high-quality, adjacent-materials compatible elastomeric sealant.
Manufacturers of expansion joint sealants should be consulted regarding the use and suitability of their product. Polyurethanes, silicones, and polysulfides are the three most frequently recommended elastomeric sealants used on brickwork by manufacturers.
Plant Removal
Certain plant growth may help moisture penetration. When ivy suckers burst through brickwork, they can transport moisture with them. In this case, ivy removal may be required.
Gently trim the vines away from the wall to remove ivy and similar plants. Trying to pull the vines from the wall can damage the brickwork. Post-trim shoots will remain. Insist on leaving these embedded shoots alone till they dry up. This takes two to three weeks. Allowing the suckers to rot and oxidize will ruin the wall. Remove the dried shoots using a stiff fiber brush and laundry detergent. Do not use chemicals or acids to avoid damaging or staining the wall.
Inspect the Spacing of the Weeps
Verify that weeps are appropriately spaced and are not blocked so that water can drain to the outside. New supplemental weeps may be required if the original weeps were not correctly spaced. Clean the weeps using a thin dowel or stiff wire if they are clogged.
Avoid damaging the existing flashing beneath and behind the weeps when cleaning or installing them. The vertical leg of the flashing may be protected if a stopper is installed in the drainage cavity.
Get in Touch with an Expert
If you need help with your brickwork, you should look for a masonry company with the required experience, licensing, insurance, and credentials, regardless of whether you’re doing it at home or work.
Even if your project is little or large, it is essential to get references before hiring a brickwork contractor. Well-cared-for brickwork increases property value and keeps it in excellent condition for a long time, even if the task is arduous.
Contact a trusted masonry tuckpointing contractor such as Paragon Remodeling to learn more.
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