When mortar begins to crack, flake, or fall away, many contractors will tell you the whole wall needs to be redone. That’s not always true—and it’s not how we operate. At Galway Tuckpointing, we believe in doing only the work that’s needed. That means no overselling, no pressure, and no unnecessary demolition.
With over
30 years of masonry experience, we offer multiple levels of
tuckpointing services—from small repairs to full grinding and repointing. Our focus is on making brick structures safer, stronger, and more visually appealing—without stretching your budget. Whether you own a home or manage a business, we’ll give you the honest answer and dependable workmanship your project deserves.
What Is Tuckpointing?
Tuckpointing is a repair process that replaces damaged or deteriorating mortar between bricks. Over time, moisture, freezing temperatures, and everyday wear can cause mortar to crack or loosen. When this happens, the structure weakens, and water may leak into the building, causing more damage.
Instead of rebuilding the entire wall,
tuckpointing restores only the mortar joints. Done properly, it strengthens your structure, keeps water out, and makes the wall look nearly new again.
Key benefits of tuckpointing include:
- Preventing water damage
- Avoiding expensive rebuilds
- Extending the life of your brickwork
- Improving curb appeal
- Preserving historical detail
Spot Tuckpointing for Minor Mortar Issues
If you see a few cracks or areas where mortar is crumbling, spot tuckpointing may be all you need. We inspect the wall and only repair joints that are failing. This localized approach saves money and avoids unnecessary labor.
Full Wall Tuckpointing When Damage Is Widespread
When most of the mortar joints across a wall are failing, full tuckpointing may be the best choice. We remove and replace all mortar to ensure a consistent finish and long-term durability.
We Assess Before We Recommend
At Galway Tuckpointing, we don’t start with a pitch. We start with a site inspection. You’ll get clear, honest recommendations for the level of tuckpointing needed. Many clients appreciate that we explain what’s truly essential and what can wait.
Do You Really Need Mortar Grinding?
When It's Not Needed
One common myth is that all tuckpointing jobs require the mortar to be fully ground out. This is not always true. If the existing mortar is still firm and intact in some areas, it can be successfully repointed without grinding.
When We Recommend Grinding
We only grind out mortar joints when they’re severely deteriorated—soft, loose, or missing. Grinding involves using a tool to remove the old mortar before installing the new. It’s more time-consuming and may cost more, so we only recommend it when absolutely necessary.
How to Tell If You Need Tuckpointing
If you’re not sure whether your home or business needs tuckpointing, look for the following signs:
- Cracks between bricks
- Loose or missing mortar
- White, powdery deposits on the wall (efflorescence)
- Water stains inside the building
- Leaning or unstable bricks
- Visible gaps between brick and mortar
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time for an inspection.
Over 30 Years of Local Experience in Masonry Repair
Since day one, Galway Tuckpointing has been committed to helping clients across the Chicagoland area including the suburbs of Cook, DuPage and Will counties. We have an established reputation as the trusted advisor for residential homes, businesses, industrial properties, condo associations, churches and educational facilities. Every project has our guarantee of skilled craftsmanship, quality work with materials suited for Midwest weather conditions and overall customer satisfaction.
Contact Galway Tuckpointing today by submitting an online request form 24/7.
