How long does repointing last?

Professional repointing with proper materials should last 20 to 30 years or even longer in many cases. The lifespan depends on several factors including the quality of materials used, how well the work was done, your local climate, and ongoing maintenance. In Fontana's climate, properly repointed masonry holds up very well. The key is using mortar that's correctly matched to your brick in both strength and composition.

Can I repoint just a small section or do I need to do the whole wall?

You can definitely repoint just the damaged sections, and that's often the most cost-effective approach. However, we'll give you an honest assessment after inspecting your entire structure. Sometimes mortar deterioration is isolated to one area that gets more weather exposure. Other times, if some joints are failing, it means adjacent areas are probably not far behind.

What's the difference between repointing and caulking the joints?

Caulking mortar joints is never the right solution and it's a sign of sloppy or uninformed work. Real repointing means removing old mortar and installing new mortar that's properly mixed, applied, and finished. It's more labor intensive than running a bead of caulk, but it's the only legitimate way to restore mortar joints.

Tuckpointing & Repointing Services

Restore strength and beauty to your masonry with expert tuckpointing and repointing from Fontana's trusted craftsmen.

Professional tuckpointing and repointing masonry work in Fontana, CA

What Tuckpointing and Repointing Actually Mean

Let's clear up some confusion right away. A lot of people use these terms interchangeably, but they're actually different techniques. Repointing is when we remove old, damaged mortar from between bricks and replace it with fresh mortar that matches your existing color and strength. Tuckpointing is a more specialized technique where we create thin lines of contrasting mortar to make joints look crisp and uniform, often used on historic buildings or high-end projects.

For most homes in Fontana, repointing is what you need. Over time, mortar breaks down faster than brick because that's exactly what it's designed to do. Mortar acts as a sacrificial layer, absorbing stress and moisture so your bricks stay protected. When that mortar fails, water gets behind your walls, bricks loosen, and structural problems start piling up fast.

At FMA Fontana Masonry, we've repointed thousands of walls, chimneys, and structures across the Inland Empire. We know exactly how deep to grind out old mortar without damaging brick edges, how to mix mortar that matches both the color and strength of your original work, and how to tool joints so they shed water properly. This isn't work you want done by someone who learned masonry from YouTube videos.

Why Failing Mortar Is a Bigger Problem Than You Think

When mortar starts crumbling, most people think it just looks bad. And sure, deteriorated joints do hurt your curb appeal. But the real damage happens where you can't see it.

Water Infiltration and Damage

Good mortar joints shed water away from your wall. When those joints crack or crumble, water flows right in. Here in Southern California, we might not get rain every day, but when it does rain, it can be heavy. That water soaks into gaps in your mortar and penetrates behind the brick. Once inside, it can damage wood framing, cause mold growth, stain interior walls, and even compromise your foundation.

Structural Instability

Mortar doesn't just fill gaps between bricks. It holds everything together and distributes weight evenly across the wall. When mortar fails, individual bricks start bearing loads they weren't meant to handle. This leads to cracking, shifting, and in severe cases, partial wall collapse. We've seen garden walls topple over and chimney sections separate from houses, all because deteriorated mortar wasn't addressed in time.

Pest Entry Points

Gaps in mortar joints are like welcome signs for insects, rodents, and even birds. Once they get inside your wall cavity, they can cause all sorts of problems from chewed wiring to nesting materials that block ventilation. Proper repointing seals these entry points and keeps pests outside where they belong.

Signs Your Masonry Needs Repointing

Mortar that crumbles when you poke it with a screwdriver
Cracks in mortar joints wider than a credit card
Gaps where mortar has fallen out completely
White powder or stains on brick surfaces
Loose or shifting bricks
Mortar that's recessed or eroded deeper than the brick face

Our Professional Repointing Process

Done right, repointing is careful, methodical work that takes skill and patience. Here's how we make sure your mortar joints will last another 20 to 30 years.

Thorough Assessment and Testing

Before we touch anything, we examine your entire structure to understand the extent of deterioration. We test the existing mortar to determine its composition and strength. This matters because using mortar that's too hard can actually crack your bricks. We also check for underlying issues like poor drainage or structural movement that might have caused the mortar to fail in the first place.

Careful Mortar Removal

We use specialized grinders and hand tools to remove old mortar to the proper depth, typically about three-quarters of an inch to one inch. This is precision work. Go too shallow and the new mortar won't bond properly. Go too deep or use the wrong technique and you'll chip brick edges. We take our time and do it right, protecting the brick faces while clearing out all the deteriorated material.

Custom Mortar Mixing and Color Matching

This is where craftsmanship really shows. We mix mortar to match your existing joints in both color and strength. The mix might include lime, which makes mortar more flexible and breathable, especially important for older buildings. We test small batches against your current mortar and adjust until we get it perfect. The goal is repair work that blends so well you can barely tell where the old mortar ends and the new begins.

Professional Application and Finishing

We pack fresh mortar into the joints in layers, compressing it to eliminate air pockets where water could collect. Once the mortar reaches the right consistency, we tool the joints to match your existing profile, whether that's concave, flush, or weathered. This isn't just cosmetic. Properly tooled joints shed water and protect the bond between mortar and brick. Finally, we clean the brick faces and protect the fresh work while it cures.

Most residential repointing projects take two to five days depending on the size of the area and how much mortar needs replacement. We keep your property clean and protect landscaping and walkways from mortar splatter. If you're also considering brick repair services or chimney work, we can often handle everything during the same project to save you time and money.

Fontana's Repointing Specialists

We're FMA Fontana Masonry, located right here at 17082 Pinedale Ct. We're not a franchise or a contractor who subcontracts the actual work to whoever is available. When you hire us, you get our experienced crew who has been doing this work in the Inland Empire for years. We understand local building materials, climate conditions, and what techniques hold up best in this area.

Quality repointing is an investment in your property. Done correctly with proper materials and techniques, it should last 20 to 30 years or more. Done poorly by inexperienced workers using cheap mortar, it might fail in just a few years. We take pride in our work because your home is probably your biggest investment. We treat every project like we're working on our own house.

Call us at (909) 587-5725 to schedule an inspection. We're available Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM. We'll come out, assess your masonry, and give you an honest recommendation about what needs to be done. Visit our homepage to see more examples of our work and read what your neighbors have said about working with us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Protect Your Masonry Investment

Don't wait until deteriorated mortar causes serious damage. Get a professional assessment and detailed quote today.

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