Repointing is the process of removing deteriorated mortar from the joints between bricks or stones and replacing it with compatible new mortar.
Your masonry may need repointing when the bricks or stones remain generally sound but the mortar is crumbling, deeply eroded, cracked, loose, or missing.
Repointing can restore the integrity and appearance of mortar joints and reduce pathways for water. It does not correct structural movement, failed flashing, damaged bricks or stones, foundation settlement, or drainage problems. Those conditions should be diagnosed before new mortar is installed.
Kelly Masonry evaluates mortar deterioration, moisture sources, masonry damage, and wall movement through our brick and stone repair services.
Repointing at a Glance
| Question | Direct answer |
|---|---|
| What is repointing? | Removing deteriorated mortar from masonry joints and replacing it with compatible new mortar |
| When is it appropriate? | When the mortar has deteriorated but the surrounding brick or stone is generally sound |
| Is repointing structural repair? | Not by itself. It restores mortar joints but does not correct settlement, bowing, displacement, or other structural movement |
| Does repointing stop water leaks? | It may close deteriorated joints, but flashing, caps, roofs, gutters, grading, and drainage may also need repair |
| Is the hardest mortar best? | No. Replacement mortar should be compatible with the masonry and existing mortar |
| Is repointing the same as tuckpointing? | Not technically. True tuckpointing is a decorative treatment using contrasting narrow lines over a base mortar joint |
| Does every wall need complete repointing? | No. Some walls need localized work, while widespread deterioration may justify repointing an entire elevation |
| How long does repointing last? | There is no universal lifespan. Performance depends on materials, preparation, exposure, moisture, workmanship, and maintenance |
| Can repointing be done in winter? | Mortar work requires suitable temperatures and protection. Weather requirements depend on the selected mortar and project |
| Does repointing require a permit? | Requirements vary with the scope, structural involvement, municipality, and historic status |
Pointing vs. Repointing vs. Tuckpointing
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they have different technical meanings.
Pointing
Pointing is the original finishing of mortar joints during masonry construction.
The mortar is placed, compacted, and tooled into a selected joint profile as the wall is built.
Repointing
Repointing is repair work.
Existing deteriorated mortar is removed from the joints and replaced with new compatible mortar.
Tuckpointing
True tuckpointing is primarily a decorative historic technique.
A base mortar is installed to resemble the masonry unit, and a narrow contrasting line—traditionally lime putty—is added to create the appearance of very fine, precise joints.
In everyday conversation, people frequently use “tuckpointing” to describe ordinary repointing. Contractors should clarify which process is actually included in the proposal.
Surface grouting or mortar smearing
Applying a thin layer of mortar only across the face of deteriorated joints is not the same as proper repointing.
A shallow surface treatment may:
- Fail to bond properly
- Separate from the old mortar
- Change the visible joint width
- Cover the edges of the brick or stone
- Trap loose material behind the repair
- Fail again after limited weather exposure
Proper repair requires removing deteriorated material to sufficient depth and placing new mortar into a sound, prepared joint.
What Does Mortar Do?
Mortar performs several important functions within masonry.
It:
- Bonds and supports masonry units
- Accommodates limited movement
- Helps distribute loads
- Creates weather-resistant joints
- Provides a replaceable material between brick or stone
- Contributes substantially to the wall’s appearance
In many older buildings, the mortar was deliberately more sacrificial than the brick or stone. It was intended to weather and be replaced before the masonry units were damaged.
That is one reason the hardest modern mortar is not automatically the correct choice for an older house.
How Do You Know When Repointing Is Needed?
Possible signs include:
Crumbling or powdery mortar
Mortar that readily turns to powder or falls from the joints may no longer be performing adequately.
Deeply eroded joints
Some shallow weathering is normal. Repointing may be appropriate when erosion is deep enough to leave open joints, weak edges, or inadequate weather protection.
Missing mortar
Open sections allow more water and debris to enter the wall.
Loose pieces of mortar
Sections that detach from the sides of the brick or stone can indicate failed bonding, movement, moisture, or an incompatible previous repair.
Cracked joints
Cracks may indicate normal deterioration, but repeated or patterned cracks can also indicate movement.
Recurring dampness near the masonry
Deteriorated joints may contribute to water entry, but the complete wall should also be inspected for flashing, roof, gutter, cap, sill, and drainage problems.
Different mortar patches failing
Hard, dense, smeared, or visually inconsistent previous repairs may be incompatible with the original masonry.
When Is the Problem More Than Repointing?
Repointing should not be used to conceal conditions that require another repair.
Request a broader evaluation when you see:
- Bowing or leaning walls
- Stair-step cracking
- Horizontal cracking
- Cracks continuing through bricks or stones
- Displaced masonry
- Loose bricks or stones
- Spalling brick faces
- Settlement
- Failed lintels
- Separating walls
- Chimney movement
- Water entering around flashing or caps
- Significant foundation cracks
- Repeated failure in the same area
These conditions may require brick or stone replacement, flashing repair, structural work, rebuilding, drainage correction, or engineering.
Learn more about structural masonry repair and structural-repair cost factors.
Why Mortar Compatibility Matters
Replacement mortar should be selected for the existing masonry—not simply chosen by purchasing the strongest bagged product available.
Important characteristics include:
- Compressive strength
- Flexibility
- Vapor permeability
- Water retention
- Bond
- Sand gradation
- Binder composition
- Color
- Texture
- Joint profile
- Exposure
The National Park Service’s repointing guidance recommends that historic repointing mortar be softer or more vapor-permeable than the masonry units and no harder or less permeable than the historic mortar.
An excessively hard or dense mortar can force moisture and movement into softer brick or stone. The masonry units may then crack, spall, or deteriorate while the mortar remains intact.
Does Every Old House Need Lime Mortar?
Not automatically.
Historic masonry used many mortar formulations, and some buildings constructed in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries originally included Portland cement.
The correct selection should be based on:
- Approximate building age
- Original masonry
- Unweathered mortar samples
- Previous repairs
- Wall exposure
- Mortar hardness and permeability
- Sand color and grain size
- Historic joint profile
- Laboratory analysis when warranted
Do not select a mortar solely from the building’s age or appearance.
For historically significant or especially sensitive masonry, mortar analysis and a preservation consultant may be appropriate.
Brick Repointing vs. Stone Repointing
The fundamental process is similar, but brick and stone walls can require different approaches.
Brick repointing
Brick walls commonly have relatively regular joints.
Important concerns include:
- Protecting brick edges
- Avoiding overcut head joints
- Matching the original joint profile
- Identifying soft historic brick
- Avoiding mortar smears
- Replacing damaged bricks when necessary
Stone repointing
Stone masonry may contain:
- Wide and irregular joints
- Deep internal voids
- Rubble construction
- Pinning stones
- Several stone types
- Old lime-rich mortar
- Previous cement patches
Stone joints may require deeper preparation and multiple layers of compacted mortar.
The visible joint should follow the actual stone edges rather than covering large portions of the stone face with a broad mortar smear.
What Causes Mortar Joints to Deteriorate?
Mortar deterioration may result from more than age.
Possible causes include:
- Rain and snow
- Freeze-thaw exposure
- Failed gutters
- Leaking downspouts
- Defective flashing
- Damaged chimney caps
- Poorly designed sills
- Concentrated runoff
- Rising or trapped moisture
- Salt exposure
- Building movement
- Incompatible previous repairs
- Aggressive cleaning
- Plant growth
- Improper original construction
Repair the moisture or movement source before repointing whenever possible.
For example, replacing failed mortar beneath a leaking downspout without repairing the downspout is likely to produce another failure.
Read our guide to common causes of leaking brick chimneys when the deterioration occurs near a chimney.
What Is the Professional Repointing Process?
The exact method depends on the masonry and mortar, but a professional project generally follows these stages.
1. Inspect the masonry
Evaluate:
- Mortar deterioration
- Brick or stone condition
- Crack patterns
- Wall movement
- Moisture sources
- Flashing
- Caps and sills
- Previous repairs
- Access
- Historic significance
2. Identify a compatible mortar
The replacement mortar is selected based on physical compatibility and appearance.
On an older or visually important wall, the contractor may examine unweathered mortar from protected areas and prepare test mixtures.
3. Prepare a sample panel
A sample panel allows the homeowner and mason to evaluate:
- Color
- Sand texture
- Joint profile
- Mortar width
- Tooling
- Cleaning
- Overall appearance
The sample should be approved before the entire wall is completed.
4. Remove deteriorated mortar
The old mortar is removed to a sufficient depth so the new mortar can bond to sound material.
For historic masonry, the National Park Service commonly recommends a minimum depth of approximately two to two-and-a-half times the joint width, with additional loose material removed as necessary.
The removal method should avoid damaging the edges and faces of the surrounding masonry.
5. Clean and prepare the joints
Dust, loose particles, and debris are removed.
The moisture condition of the joints is then prepared according to the selected mortar and project requirements.
6. Fill and compact the joints
Deep joints may need to be filled in multiple layers.
Each layer should be compacted before the next is applied so that the repair is solid rather than a shallow face treatment over an empty joint.
7. Tool the mortar
The final joint is tooled at the correct stage of mortar hardening.
The profile should be compatible with the wall’s exposure and historic appearance.
8. Clean the masonry carefully
Excess mortar is removed without smearing, acid damage, aggressive abrasion, or alteration of the brick or stone surface.
9. Cure and protect the work
Fresh mortar may need protection from:
- Rapid drying
- Direct sun
- Wind
- Heavy rain
- Freezing
- Premature cleaning
- Impact
Curing requirements depend on the mortar, weather, wall, and exposure.
Can Grinders Be Used for Repointing?
Mechanical tools may sometimes be used by experienced masons in carefully controlled circumstances.
However, grinders and saws can:
- Cut into brick edges
- Widen joints
- Damage vertical head joints
- Chip stone
- Change the wall’s appearance
- Remove more sound mortar than necessary
Soft historic brick and narrow joints are particularly vulnerable.
The contractor should explain:
- Which tools will be used
- Where they will be used
- How the masonry edges will be protected
- Whether hand tools will complete the joint preparation
- How dust will be controlled
- Whether the method was demonstrated on the sample panel
A grinder should not be treated as the default removal method for every wall.
Spot Repointing vs. Repointing the Entire Wall
Not every wall needs complete repointing.
Spot repointing may be appropriate when:
- Deterioration is limited
- Surrounding mortar remains sound
- Moisture sources are localized
- A compatible visual match can be achieved
- Access is straightforward
Repointing a complete elevation may be appropriate when:
- Deterioration is widespread
- Numerous previous repairs are failing
- Scaffolding makes repeated future work inefficient
- The mortar is nearing failure across most of the wall
- Color differences from extensive patching would be distracting
- Water exposure affects the complete elevation
The decision should be based on joint condition, not on automatically replacing every visible mortar joint.
Removing sound historic mortar unnecessarily can damage the masonry and erase original workmanship.
Does Repointing Waterproof a Wall?
Repointing can close deteriorated joints and improve the wall’s weather resistance, but it is not a universal waterproofing system.
Water may still enter through:
- Flashing
- Roof intersections
- Copings
- Chimney caps
- Sills
- Cracked masonry units
- Windows and doors
- Utility penetrations
- Foundation cracks
- Groundwater
- Condensation
Avoid applying an impermeable coating simply because a masonry wall is damp. The moisture source and wall assembly should be diagnosed first.
For basement walls, read what parging can and cannot do.
When Is the Best Time to Repoint?
Mortar should be installed and cured under conditions suitable for the selected mixture.
The project may need to be delayed or protected during:
- Freezing weather
- Extreme heat
- Strong drying winds
- Heavy rain
- Direct intense sunlight
- Rapid temperature changes
Cold-weather or hot-weather work may require enclosures, heating, shading, misting, or other controls.
There is no single calendar month that is always correct. The forecast, wall temperature, mortar, exposure, and protection plan should all be considered.
How Much Does Repointing Cost?
Repointing cost depends on:
- Wall area
- Percentage of joints requiring work
- Brick or stone
- Joint width and depth
- Mortar analysis
- Sample-panel requirements
- Historic joint profiles
- Access
- Scaffolding or lifts
- Height
- Chimneys, parapets, and difficult details
- Removal method
- Previous cement repairs
- Brick or stone replacement
- Flashing and moisture repairs
- Cleaning
- Protection of roofs, windows, landscaping, and adjacent surfaces
- Permit or historic-review requirements
Kelly Masonry repointing projects generally [INSERT VERIFIED MINIMUM OR PLANNING RANGE].
Do not publish an unverified per-square-foot figure as though every project has the same access, preparation, mortar, and joint depth.
For broader budgeting considerations, read our brick and masonry repair cost guide.
How Long Does Repointing Last?
There is no universal 25-year, 30-year, or 50-year lifespan.
Performance depends on:
- Mortar compatibility
- Joint preparation
- Installation depth
- Compaction
- Tooling
- Curing
- Wall exposure
- Moisture
- Flashing and drainage
- Building movement
- Cleaning
- Maintenance
Correctly executed repointing on a stable, well-drained wall may remain serviceable for decades. Work installed over continuing leaks, movement, or unsuitable mortar may fail much sooner.
Inspect the wall periodically rather than repointing automatically on a fixed schedule.
Can You Repoint Masonry Yourself?
A very small, nonstructural repair may appear straightforward, but repointing older masonry involves significant risks.
Common DIY problems include:
- Selecting mortar that is too hard
- Removing too little old mortar
- Damaging brick edges with power tools
- Smearing mortar over masonry faces
- Using the wrong joint profile
- Working in unsuitable weather
- Filling over loose material
- Concealing structural cracks
- Failing to correct the moisture source
- Creating an obvious color mismatch
Professional evaluation is especially important for:
- Historic homes
- Chimneys
- Tall walls
- Soft brick
- Natural stone foundations
- Structural cracks
- Widespread deterioration
- Walls requiring scaffolding
- Areas with active water entry
Does Repointing Require a Permit?
Permit requirements vary according to the municipality and scope of work.
Routine maintenance may be treated differently from:
- Structural wall reconstruction
- Chimney rebuilding
- Lintel replacement
- Foundation work
- Alterations affecting wall assemblies
- Work on a designated historic property
- Projects requiring extensive scaffolding near public areas
Pennsylvania uses the Uniform Construction Code, but local municipalities administer many permits and may have additional requirements.
Confirm the project with the applicable township, borough, city, or historic commission before work begins.
Questions to Ask a Repointing Contractor
Ask:
- Why are the mortar joints deteriorating?
- Is the wall moving or structurally damaged?
- Are any bricks or stones being replaced?
- How will the replacement mortar be selected?
- Will the existing mortar be analyzed?
- Is a sample panel included?
- How deep will deteriorated mortar be removed?
- Which hand and power tools will be used?
- How will brick and stone edges be protected?
- What joint profile will be reproduced?
- How will deep joints be filled?
- What weather conditions will delay the work?
- How will the mortar be cured?
- Are flashing, caps, gutters, or drainage included?
- What cleaning method will be used?
- What workmanship warranty applies?
- Will the homeowner receive the mortar specification?
- Are permits or historic approvals required?
Read about Kelly Masonry’s project process before comparing proposals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is repointing?
Repointing is the removal of deteriorated mortar from masonry joints and its replacement with compatible new mortar.
Is repointing the same as tuckpointing?
Not technically. Repointing repairs deteriorated joints. Traditional tuckpointing creates a decorative fine-line appearance using contrasting mortar or lime putty.
Is repointing structural repair?
It restores mortar joints and can improve the integrity of sound masonry. It does not correct bowing, settlement, displacement, failed lintels, or other structural movement.
How do I know whether mortar is deteriorated?
Look for crumbling, deep erosion, open joints, loose material, cracks, or mortar separating from the brick or stone. A mason should also check the surrounding units and moisture sources.
Should all the old mortar be removed?
Only deteriorated or incompatible material should be removed to the depth required for a sound repair. Sound original mortar should not be removed unnecessarily.
Is Type S mortar best for repointing?
Not automatically. The mortar type should be selected for the masonry, original mortar, exposure, wall function, and required physical properties.
Can hard mortar damage old brick?
Yes. Mortar that is excessively hard or impermeable relative to soft masonry can direct moisture and stress into the brick or stone.
Can repointing stop a leak?
It can close deteriorated joints, but leaks may also involve flashing, caps, gutters, windows, roofs, foundations, or drainage.
Can you repoint old mortar?
A shallow layer over deteriorated mortar is not proper repointing. Failed mortar must be removed to sufficient depth so the new material can bond and be compacted.
Why is new mortar a different color?
Mortar color is affected by sand, binder, water, tooling, curing, exposure, and age. New mortar may become less visually prominent as it weathers.
Should brick be pressure washed after repointing?
Aggressive washing can damage uncured mortar and historic masonry. Cleaning should follow the mortar and masonry requirements and be demonstrated when necessary.
Can repointing be completed in cold weather?
Possibly, with suitable materials and protective measures. Freezing conditions can damage fresh mortar, so project-specific cold-weather requirements must be followed.
How often should masonry be repointed?
There is no fixed schedule. Repointing should be based on inspection and the actual condition of the joints.
How long does repointing last?
There is no universal lifespan. Compatible mortar, proper preparation, curing, moisture control, exposure, and maintenance determine performance.
Can damaged bricks be repointed?
Repointing replaces mortar, not failed masonry units. Cracked, spalled, or severely deteriorated bricks may need replacement.
About the Author
John Kelly is the founder of Kelly Masonry. Since 2002, Kelly Masonry has repaired brick, stone, mortar joints, chimneys, walls, and foundations throughout Delaware County, the Main Line, and surrounding Pennsylvania communities.
Reviewed by: John Kelly
Last updated: July 30, 2026
Does Your Brick or Stone Need Repointing?
Kelly Masonry can inspect the mortar, masonry units, flashing, moisture exposure, and wall movement before recommending repointing or another repair.
Explore our brick and stone repair services, review our masonry repair cost guide, browse our completed projects, or request a consultation.
