Brick pointing in Wichita Falls TX - new mortar joints that blend with the old
Crumbling or cracked mortar between your bricks? We cut out the worn joints and refill them with mortar that matches your wall.
Does your brick need new mortar or brick repair?
Brick pointing, also called repointing, means cutting the worn mortar out of the joints between your bricks and filling them with fresh mortar. In Wichita Falls we do it to close up the gaps that let moisture into your walls.
Most calls start with mortar sanding out of the joints or a crack you can't stop looking at. Before we cut out a single joint, I check whether the trouble stops at the mortar, because repointing only fixes the joints. Stair-step cracks, loose or cracked bricks, flaking brick faces or a leak inside mean the brick needs repair and the cause gets fixed first. Sometimes that means foundation repair or chimney repair before any new mortar goes in. The price comes down to how much wall needs new joints, how deep the old mortar has worn and how high we have to work. The schedule turns on that size plus any city permit the job needs, which we take care of. The estimate gives you a written figure and a plain answer on what your wall really needs. We're based in Wichita Falls and fully insured, and we work across the city and the cities around it, including Burkburnett and Iowa Park.
How can you tell your brick joints need repointing?
Mortar trouble usually shows up slowly, and you can spot most of it from the yard or with a close look at the joints. These are the signs I look for first.
Mortar that crumbles or turns to sand when you rub it means the joint has worn out.
Gaps or holes where mortar has fallen out of the joints leave open paths for water.
Thin hairline cracks running through the mortar usually mean the joints are starting to let go.
A crack between a brick and the mortar beside it means the bond between them has broken.
Joints sitting well back from the brick face show the mortar has eroded and needs renewing.
Stair-step cracks, loose bricks or flaking brick faces point past the mortar to brick repair first.
Call when you first spot crumbling joints instead of waiting for a leak, because fixing the mortar before water gets in usually keeps the job to the joints.
What happens when you call us about brick pointing?
From your first call to the final walk-through, you'll deal with me, because I come out to look at every job and then work alongside our crew while it gets done.
Call or send a message
Call (940) 298-1133 or fill out our form, and I'll set up a time to come out to your house. I'll ask a few questions about what you've noticed so I know where to look.
I look at the wall with you
I walk the wall with you and check whether the trouble stops at the mortar or the bricks need help too. You get a written estimate and a plain answer on what the job really needs, and if it's smaller than you feared, I'll tell you so.
We cut out and refill joints
Once you say go, we take care of any city paperwork, then grind or chisel the old mortar out to an even depth and pack in new mortar that's no harder than the old. I work right alongside our crew the whole time.
We walk the finished wall
Before we call it finished, we walk the wall with you so you can see how the new joints sit next to the old ones, and we clean up the dust and debris. Our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Get a written estimate for your brick pointing
We reply within one business day to set a time for me to come out and look at your wall. The estimate is free and done at your house, and there's no pressure to book.
- Call
- (940) 298-1133
- Hours
- Mon–Fri: 8 AM–11 PM, Sat–Sun: 6 AM–10 PM
Mortar choice and how we match the old joints
Mortar strength is the choice that matters most on a repointing job. New mortar should be equal to or softer than what's already in the wall, because a harder mix can damage the bricks around it and chip their faces. That's why we mix ours no harder than the old, so it wears in with the wall instead of fighting it. Ask any mason which mix they plan to use, and I'll tell you ours.
Matching is the other half, and it's the part I care about most. I look at the color, the sand and the shape of the old joints so the new work blends in and nobody can tell where we patched. Brick industry guidance advises repointing every joint across an affected area, since it's hard to tell which ones let water in, so don't be surprised if we talk about a section of wall rather than a few cracks.
Older homes call for a softer mix, since brick industry guidance reserves the weakest mortar type for historic masonry. If your house sits in one of the city's historic districts, such as Depot Square, Morningside or West Floral Heights, the city's planning staff and Landmark Commission uphold historic preservation rules and design guidelines there. Check with the city's historic preservation office before work starts, and tell me at the estimate.
Brick pointing questions we hear in Wichita Falls
How do I know if my brick needs repointing?
Brick industry guidance says it's time when the mortar is crumbling, has voids, shows hairline cracks or cracks along the brick, or has worn back more than 1/4 inch. I check each of those at the estimate, along with whether the bricks themselves need repair before any repointing.
How much does brick repointing cost in Wichita Falls?
Repointing brick across the US usually costs about $3 to $25 per square foot, and that's the market's range, not our price. Where your wall falls depends on how worn the joints are and how much area needs it, and taller walls that need scaffolding cost more per square foot. Your estimate gives you the figure for your wall.
How long does new mortar last after repointing?
Brick industry guidance says mortar joints typically last more than 25 years. That makes repointing long-term upkeep for your house rather than something you'll be paying for every few years.
Do I need a permit for brick pointing in Wichita Falls?
Wichita Falls requires the correct permits and licenses for construction work, so we check what your job needs before we start. When it calls for a permit, we handle the application and line up the inspections with the city, and you can look over the city's building inspection forms and applications online. We're fully licensed and insured.
How long does it take to repoint a brick house?
Repointing is careful hand work, so it usually takes longer than people expect, and the time mostly comes down to how much wall needs new joints and how high we're working. On historic buildings, the National Park Service notes the work is slow and noisy, and scaffolding can stay up on the house for a while.
How do I find a mason who's good at repointing?
Ask to see repointing jobs they've done before, because brick industry guidance points out that an excellent bricklayer isn't always skilled at repointing. I'm glad to show you our past repointing work and explain how we matched it.
Related masonry work around your brick
Foundation repair
Stair-step cracks running up a brick wall often come from a foundation that's shifted, and fixing that movement first helps keep new joints from cracking again.
Chimney repair
A chimney takes weather from every side, so loose bricks, a cracked crown or a leak around it usually need repair that goes past the mortar.
Send us photos of your worn joints
Call (940) 298-1133 or use our contact form, and include a few photos of the joints and whether your house sits in a historic district so I come out ready to talk mortar.
Mon–Fri: 8 AM–11 PM, Sat–Sun: 6 AM–10 PM