Restoration: brick, block, stone and stucco

Tuck Pointing
   This is the main process of masonry restoration. Though this process can be performed on any building of any age, generally speaking it is performed on building and homes built prior to WWII. Prior to this time many homes and buildings were laid up using a "hot lime" mortar mix. In other words, the cement based mortar mixes we use today were not commonly used. After 40 plus years of northwest weather, the mortar joints begin to break down, and continue to break down at an ever increasing rate. A broken down mortar joint begins to allow water in, which leads to further deterioration, leaks within the residence, etc. They mortar joints need to be sealed. That process is called tuckpointing.
   Tuckpointing does add to the structural integrity of a masonry wall, however, it does not replace brick laying. If the bond between brick is broken, there is nothing that can be done except to relay the brick.