They called this Tuck-pointing

**Dan Hagman** · 09-06-2016, 12:29 PM

Owner had a home inspection for the bank to re-finance the house, HI was not me, the bank told the owner to have the tuck-pointing done before they would re-finance his mortgage. The owner did the work and then called me as a third part HI to say the tuck-pointing has been completed. This is what I found;
1. Didn't clean out all the loose mortar
2. Didn't use a sand mortar mix at 2:1 ratio
3. Used two different kinds of mix, a concrete patch (latex bond), and Water TiTe (hydraulic cement)

And they want me to say it has been completed! Very rough and I think they have used the wrong method and material.

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**Jerry Peck** · 09-06-2016, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Dan Hagman

The owner did the work and then called me as a third part HI to say the tuck-pointing has been completed.
.
.
.
And they want me to say it has been completed!

"Well, yeah, that's what we're paying you for." says the owner.

**Raymond Wand** · 09-06-2016, 01:23 PM

Dan
I would not put my stamp of approval on the work being proper or professionally carried out.
Who did the red paint?

**Dan Hagman** · 09-06-2016, 01:37 PM

Good one Jerry! Lol

Raymond, I don't know about the red paint but is sure made it stand out.
From what I am reading they should have used sand and Portland Cement properly mixed and removed all loose mortar and properly tuck-pointed the mortar joints. I can't write off on this the way it is. I am not suppose to instruct them on how to repair it, just point out what is wrong and they need to hire a professional Mason.

**Raymond Wand** · 09-06-2016, 02:16 PM

Yup hire a professional.

That red paint sure is odd, never seen anything like it.

**Mark Reinmiller** · 09-06-2016, 05:15 PM

It puts you in a difficult position when asked to approve work like that, but calling for repointing in that case was not necessary IMO.

**ROBERT YOUNG** · 09-06-2016, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Dan Hagman

Owner had a home inspection for the bank to re-finance the house, HI was not me, the bank told the owner to have the tuck-pointing done before they would re-finance his mortgage. The owner did the work and then called me as a third part HI to say the tuck-pointing has been completed. This is what I found;
1. Didn't clean out all the loose mortar
2. Didn't use a sand mortar mix at 2:1 ratio
3. Used two different kinds of mix, a concrete patch (latex bond), and Water TiTe (hydraulic cement)

And they want me to say it has been completed! Very rough and I think they have used the wrong method and material.

You clean out/grind out 5/8" with diamond blade pointer wheel.
Rake out the soft mortar carefully in areas that show much degrading.
If you used hydrolic cement on my job you would be going home.

Now to the images:
The bricks as well as the bed, head and butt joints were originally painted over.
Not a good idea. It will seal in moisture and degrade the mortar and masonry as well as keep the humidity higher in the wall assembly.

It is plan to see the owner used spray paint.

It is usually 3:1 ratio. Three shovels of sand to one shovel of type N masonry.
A flat digging or spade shovel will do.
I used a 5 gallon pale and dies.
1:1:3 would be traditional lime masonry. 1: Portland 1: S lime 3: sand.
In a pinch you can use Portland cement mix on soft mortar joints. 1: Type I Portland, 4 sand.

Originally Posted by Mark Reinmiller

It puts you in a difficult position when asked to approve work like that, but calling for repointing in that case was not necessary IMO.

I agree.

I do not mean to correct you but the tradition verbiage would be pointing, not re-pointing.
When the bricks are laid you tool a relief.
You might strike an angle or iron the mortar convex or concave.
There are many relief patterns. I think I had 8 irons and my pointing trowel was used for 2 more patterns.
joint refief.JPG
When repairing head, bed and butt joints you point them after removing degraded mortar.

**Dan Hagman** · 09-06-2016, 08:29 PM

Robert, thanks for all the information!

**ROBERT YOUNG** · 09-07-2016, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Dan Hagman

Robert, thanks for all the information!

Quite welcome.
I look for proper narratives as try to help when I can.

**Michael Thomas** · 09-11-2016, 05:21 PM

BTW, that's repointing, not tuck pointing:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuckpointing

**ROBERT YOUNG** · 09-12-2016, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

BTW, that's repointing, not tuck pointing:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuckpointing

Not to correct you or wiki, seeing both can be swayed with misinformation and trades slang but;what is being repointed? The pointing? Poor restoration, restorative masonry practice e to go over pointing.

What is pointing?

Creagh House : Pointing The Weathered 18th Century Masonry Wall

Also know as tuckpointing. I had many pointers. Over 20 at one time.
I enjoy masonry restorative work.

**ROBERT YOUNG** · 09-12-2016, 04:50 AM

Now that link is likely English, European traditional masonry pointing.
They allow up to a 1" rake of existing mortar.
It also depends on other wall elements, cobbled/reset relief work.
Also if the bricks are frogers, full brick.
Depends on the wythe.

Too mush to know about masonry.
Not much information from traditional masons.

I looked for brickies from England or Australia.
Good chance they are traditionally traded.
That means pub after work.
Oh no...!

Quebec masonry union allows 5/8' raking only.
I had apprentices. I mentored apprentices.