Very small areas can be a DIY project for an experienced homeowner, but most repointing is best left to a professional. Removing old mortar without chipping the brick takes skill. The new mortar has to match the old one in strength, color and texture, and on older homes a mortar that is too hard can crack or spall the brick over time. Work above ground level also means ladders or scaffolding. A poorly done repointing job often has to be removed and redone.

Repointing cost depends on the size of the area, the type of masonry, how deep the mortar needs to be removed, and how easy the wall is to reach. Repointing typically costs between $8 and $15 per square foot on average, while repointing a stone foundation can range from $5 to $28 per square foot. Walls above 8 feet cost more because they require scaffolding. At BJK, projects start at $450, and we provide a project-specific price after a free on-site estimate.

Repointing means removing deteriorated mortar from the joints and replacing it with new mortar. True tuckpointing is a decorative technique: the joints are filled with mortar colored to match the brick, then a thin line of contrasting mortar is "tucked" into the center to create the look of fine, straight joints. True tuckpointing is a specialty skill, and when most contractors and homeowners say tuckpointing, they mean repointing.

The average cost to repoint brick is around $1,450 for 100 square feet, or about $14 to $15 per square foot. Smaller or simpler jobs can run as low as $400 per 100 square feet, while harder-to-reach or more detailed work can reach $2,500. Brick chimneys and historic brick with lime mortar usually cost more per square foot.

No. Smearing new mortar over old joints does not bond and will crack or fall out, often trapping water behind it. Proper repointing removes the old, deteriorated mortar to a sound depth before new mortar goes in, so the new joint can bond and carry the load. The new mortar should also be softer than the brick or stone, so the joints wear out over time instead of the masonry.

It depends on the mortar, the exposure and the quality of the original work. A well-done repointing job can last up to 30 years. Chimneys, parapets and walls that take heavy weather usually need attention sooner than sheltered walls. Signs it is time include crumbling or recessed joints, gaps you can see into, and water getting into the masonry.