Tuckpointing & Mortar Matching
Restore loose mortar joints with expert tuckpointing across Ontario. Perfect colour matching blends repairs invisibly. Stop water infiltration and structural damage.
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Your Mortar Is Crumbling—Here's What That Means
That sandy texture when you touch your mortar joints? Debris falling onto your basement floor? These aren't cosmetic issues—they're warnings that water is about to get behind your bricks.
Ontario's freeze-thaw cycles are brutal. Once water penetrates failing mortar, each freeze expands the damage. What starts as crumbling joints becomes loose bricks, interior water damage, and foundation problems.
Common Signs You Need Repointing:
- •Mortar crumbles when touched or falls in pieces
- •Visible gaps between bricks and mortar
- •White chalky deposits (efflorescence) on brick faces
- •Interior water stains near exterior walls
"They explained the difference between tuckpointing and repointing clearly, and recommended repointing for our structural issues. The work has held up perfectly through two harsh winters."— Sarah K., London
Tuckpointing
Purpose: Visual enhancement
Depth: 1/4" shallow removal
When: Cosmetic improvements on solid joints
Repointing
Purpose: Structural integrity
Depth: 1/2"+ deep removal
When: Deteriorated mortar needs replacement
Most Ontario Homes Need Repointing, Not Tuckpointing
Here's what most contractors won't tell you: true tuckpointing is a decorative technique using two mortar colours for visual contrast. What Ontario homeowners actually need is structural repointing—deep removal and replacement of failed mortar.
We assess what your home actually needs and explain the difference. If your mortar is structurally sound and you want aesthetic enhancement, we'll do tuckpointing. If your joints are failing, we recommend repointing—the repair that actually protects your home.
Why Depth Matters:
Shallow tuckpointing on deteriorated mortar is like putting a band-aid on a broken bone. It looks better temporarily but the structural problem gets worse. Proper repointing removes damaged mortar to adequate depth and replaces it with climate-appropriate material that bonds properly and lasts decades.
"Can You Match My Brick Colour?"
This is the question we hear most. Everyone's seen obvious patch jobs where new mortar stands out like a sore thumb. Nobody wants their house to look like that.
Here's our process: We sample your existing mortar, test colour matches under different lighting (morning sun, overcast, evening), and create test patches before starting the full job. We source local aggregates that match your brick's expansion rate and appearance.
"The mortar matching was incredible - you literally cannot tell where the repairs were made. After three failed DIY attempts, this is what professional tuckpointing looks like."— Michael T., Hamilton
See the Results: Before & After
Seamless colour matching and durable joint restoration across Ontario homes. Can you tell where we worked?
Our 4-Step Process
Professional Assessment & Mortar Analysis
Comprehensive evaluation of existing mortar condition, composition analysis for accurate matching, and determining whether tuckpointing or structural repointing is needed.
Precision Mortar Removal
Professional mortar removal using diamond tuck-point blades and specialized equipment, removing deteriorated material to proper depth without damaging surrounding masonry.
Expert Mortar Matching & Mixing
Custom mortar formulation matching original colour, texture, and strength while incorporating Ontario climate enhancements like air-entraining agents for freeze-thaw resistance.
Professional Application & Finishing
Precise mortar application using professional tools, proper consolidation techniques, and traditional finishing methods for durable, attractive results.
Why DIY Repointing Usually Fails
We fix a lot of failed DIY repointing jobs. The problems are always the same:
✗ Insufficient Removal Depth
Removing only 1/4" when structural repair needs 1/2"+ depth. New mortar falls out within a year.
✗ Wrong Mortar Type
Using hard Portland cement on soft heritage brick accelerates spalling. Century homes need lime mortar.
✗ Poor Colour Matching
Store-bought mortar in "standard grey" looks nothing like your original joints. Custom mixing is essential.
✗ Improper Weather Protection
Mortar needs proper curing. Rain within 24 hours or freeze during cure ruins the repair.
Professional repointing costs more upfront but lasts 25-30 years. DIY repairs typically fail within 2-3 years, costing more in the long run.
Not sure if you need tuckpointing or repointing? We'll assess on-site and explain exactly what your home needs.
Call for Free Assessment
Century Homes Need Different Mortar
If your home was built before 1930, modern Portland cement mortar will damage your bricks. The hard cement is stronger than the soft heritage brick, causing the brick faces to spall off instead of the mortar wearing naturally.
Heritage buildings require lime-based mortar (Type O or Type K) that's softer than the brick and allows moisture to breathe through the wall system. This isn't just about matching appearance—it's about preserving your building for another century.
Our Heritage Restoration Process:
- Historical mortar analysis to match original composition
- Ontario Heritage Act compliance and documentation
- Traditional lime mortar mixing and application techniques
- Period-appropriate joint profiles and tooling methods
"Fix My Brick handled our century home restoration beautifully. The heritage-appropriate mortar work preserved the historical character while ensuring structural integrity."— Jennifer M., Mississauga
Ways To Save Money:
- ✓
Address Early
Repairing before joints fail completely prevents brick damage and reduces scope
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Bundle Work
Combine multiple elevations in one visit to reduce mobilization costs
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Shoulder Seasons
Spring and fall provide optimal curing conditions and scheduling flexibility
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Fix Root Causes
Address gutters and drainage during repair to prevent future damage
What Actually Affects Your Quote
We don't play games with pricing. Here's exactly what determines the cost of repointing work:
Work Scope & Depth
Cosmetic tuckpointing (1/4" removal) vs. structural repointing (1/2"+ removal). Linear footage and number of elevations.
Mortar Analysis & Matching
Custom colour formulation, testing under different lighting, local aggregate sourcing for thermal compatibility.
Access & Safety Setup
Ground-level work vs. scaffolding requirements. Roof pitch, height considerations, and site protection needs.
Heritage Requirements
Lime mortar formulation, heritage conservation standards, permit coordination, and documentation.
Weather & Timing
Winter protection requirements, curing time management, and scheduling around optimal weather conditions.
Your Quote Includes:
- • On-site assessment with photos and detailed scope
- • Exact mortar colour matching and test patches
- • Professional-grade materials and equipment
- • Site protection, daily cleanup, and debris removal
- • Workmanship coverage and maintenance guidance
Get Your Tuckpointing Assessment
Answer a couple of quick questions to get a personalized evaluation and estimate
Helps our team provide accurate estimates and scheduling
Licensed • Insured • WSIB
4.9/5 from 1,200+ homeowners
Quick response
Want to reserve your Tuckpointing service slot now?
Schedule your inspection online, share photos of failing joints, and choose the time that works for you.
What Customers Say About Our Work
Heritage home tuckpointing
"The mortar matching was incredible - you literally cannot tell where the repairs were made. After three failed DIY attempts, this is what professional tuckpointing looks like."
Structural repointing
"They explained the difference between tuckpointing and repointing clearly, and recommended repointing for our structural issues. The work has held up perfectly through two harsh winters."
Exterior wall tuckpointing
"Professional setup, clean work, and the colour matching process was fascinating to watch. They took samples and tested until it was perfect. Worth every penny."
Heritage building restoration
"Fix My Brick handled our century home restoration beautifully. The heritage-appropriate mortar work preserved the historical character while ensuring structural integrity."
Common Tuckpointing Questions
Tuckpointing is primarily aesthetic, using colour-matched mortar with contrasting fillets and shallow removal. Repointing is structural repair requiring deep mortar removal and complete joint restoration. Most Ontario homes need repointing for structural integrity, while tuckpointing enhances appearance.
We analyse your existing mortar composition and test colour matches under different lighting conditions. Our process includes sampling original mortar, custom mixing with local aggregates, and creating test patches to ensure seamless colour integration that weathers naturally.
DIY failures typically result from insufficient removal depth (less than 1/2" for structural repairs), wrong mortar type selection, poor colour matching, and improper application techniques. Professional work provides superior longevity while DIY repairs often fail within a few years.
Ontario's climate requires freeze-thaw resistant mortar, salt-resistant materials for road de-icing exposure, and moisture management for Lake Ontario's wind-driven rain. We use climate-appropriate mortar with enhanced durability for these conditions.
Professional tuckpointing provides excellent longevity when properly executed with appropriate materials. Factors affecting durability include mortar type selection, climate exposure, building orientation, and quality of original installation.
Yes, we specialize in heritage building restoration using period-appropriate materials and techniques. We understand Ontario Heritage Act requirements, conservation standards, and traditional lime-based mortars essential for historical building compatibility.
Spring through fall (May-October) provides optimal conditions. We avoid winter application due to freeze potential during curing. Spring application allows full curing before winter, while fall work requires careful weather monitoring to ensure adequate curing time.
Structural repointing requires adequate depth removal for joint integrity. Aesthetic tuckpointing needs less removal depth. Insufficient depth is a primary cause of premature repair failure - we ensure proper removal depth for long-lasting results.
Fix My Brick serves 59+ communities across Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area, Golden Horseshoe, Waterloo Region, and Southwestern Ontario. From Toronto to London, Hamilton to Kitchener, we provide consistent quality tuckpointing services throughout the province.
Tuckpointing maintains structural integrity by preventing water infiltration that can cause foundation issues and interior damage. Ontario's harsh freeze-thaw cycles make properly sealed mortar joints essential to prevent costly structural damage and energy loss.
Tuckpointing Services Available In:
Expert masonry services tailored to your local area
Also serving: Oakville, Burlington, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, and surrounding areas
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Professional Tuckpointing Services Across Ontario
Fix My Brick provides professional tuckpointing and mortar joint repair services to 59+ communities across Ontario, from the Greater Toronto Area to Southwestern Ontario.
Greater Toronto Area
Golden Horseshoe
Waterloo Region
Southwestern Ontario
Ready for Mortar Repair That Actually Lasts?
We'll assess your mortar joints, explain whether you need cosmetic tuckpointing or structural repointing, and provide a clear written scope with transparent pricing.
What You Get:
- • On-site assessment and mortar analysis
- • Clear explanation of cosmetic vs. structural needs
- • Custom colour matching and test patches
- • Written scope with no surprise costs
- • Workmanship coverage and maintenance guidance
Why Choose Fix My Brick:
- • Heritage restoration expertise with lime mortar
- • Ontario climate-specific material formulations
- • Professional setup with daily cleanup
- • Perfect mortar matching - repairs blend invisibly
- • Honest assessment of what you actually need