Useful definitions and explanations
Tuckpointing
Tuckpointing is the process of filling in the open spaces in between the bricks with mortar. The wall in this picture requires Tuckpointing. If this problem is not taken care of early, water may leak in between the bricks and cause further damage to the wall. Also, when the temperatures fall below 32°F the water will freeze between the bricks and push them out, or cause them to crack as the water expands. Taking care of this problem early will not only make the building look better, but also prevent much more expensive repairs in the future.
Brick Work
The wall
in this picture requires the replacement of damaged bricks. The brick face
cracked and fell off due to water damage. Repairing this type of damage is
very important since the falling loose brick chunks cause a safety hazard,
especially in areas such as parapet walls.
Parapet Wall Repair
The parapet wall is the section of the wall above the roofline of the building. A damaged Parapet Wall causes water leakage through the openings in the wall. This water in turn drains down on the inside of the wall and causes further damage, water leaks, and often a safety hazard due to loose bricks that may fall down. In many cases Grinding and then Tuckpointing the Parapet Wall fixes the problem. If the Parapet Wall is damaged beyond this point, it becomes necessary to take it apart and rebuild it. Most often this becomes as issue when the necessary repairs have been put off for too long.
Outline of the Parapet Wall rebuilding procedure:
Removing the clay tiles or lime stones covering the top of the wall
The bricks are then removed and cleaned free of mortar (or disposed of if the wall is to be rebuilt with new bricks)
The wall is rebuilt
The rebuilt wall is Tuckpointed
Rubber flashing is installed around the top of the Parapet Wall and going down to the roof
Finally, the clay tiles or lime stones are reinstalled
Power Washing
Power Washing is the process of cleaning the building walls using chemicals and water under high pressure (3,000-5,000 psi). The wall in this picture is in the process of being power washed. The left section is dirty, and the right section has been washed. Power Washing often makes the building much more visually appealing, and is also often recommended before Tuckpointing since the high pressure of the washer knocks out loose mortar from between the bricks, which in turn makes the Tuckpointing job last longer.
Sandblasting
Sandblasting is a process similar to Power Washing in which special sand is mixed with water and sprayed at the wall surface at a high pressure (3,000-5,000 psi); it is an alternate solution to Power Washing. In many cases when the wall has a tough stain or old paint that Power Washing alone does not remove, it is sandblasted instead. This procedure is often avoided when possible if the wall is built from softer bricks that may become damaged due to the strong abrasive effects of Sandblasting.
Chimney Repair
Similar to the Parapet Wall, Chimneys may often be adequately repaired by Grinding and then Tuckpointing. As is the case with most other work, if the necessary repairs are put off for too long the damage may become too great, and the Chimney often needs to be taken apart and then rebuilt and Tuckpointed.
Outline of the Chimney rebuilding procedure:
The chimney cap or stone is removed
Chimney is carefully taken apart and the bricks cleaned free of mortar (or disposed of if the chimney is to be rebuilt with new bricks)
The chimney is rebuilt
The chimney cap or stone is reinstalled
The newly rebuilt chimney is Tuckpointed.
Lintel Replacement
Lintels are the metal beams (pieces of angle iron) that support the bricks and lime stones above window, door, and other openings. In time lintels start rusting if water is able to get to the iron. When the iron rusts it expands (up to several times its original thickness) which then pushes and cracks the bricks around the window. A very common visible effect of this expansion is the step crack along the top corners of windows (illustration on left, courtesy of www.stargroup.com). It is very important to replace the lintel if such cracks are noticed, as it avoids much more costly repairs in the future.
Outline of the Lintel replacement procedure:
The bricks around and on top of the lintel are carefully removed
Often it is necessary to torch cut or grind cut the lintel in order to remove it (such as with large I-Beams)
The old lintel is then removed and disposed of
The new lintel is prepared by painting with rustproof paint, and then wrapped in flexible flashing material to resist moisture
The new lintel is then installed above the window or door opening
Cotton weeps are then installed in order to help drain any water away from the wall
The bricks are reinstalled above and around the lintel
The area around the new lintel is Tuckpointed
Glass Block Window Replacement
Glass block windows come in a variety of styles and are used for many different projects. They are a popular choice for basement windows because they offer more security than standard windows. They are also often used as bathroom windows because many designs are frosted or distorted and difficult to see through. Glass block windows may be installed with vents of various sizes and with dryer vents for laundry rooms.
Grinding
Grinding is the process of removing the mortar from the joints in between the bricks. This is most often done when the mortar between the bricks is damaged, weak, or loose. Grinding the wall before Tuckpointing removes all of the loose and weak mortar which in turn makes the new mortar sticks much better, making the Tuckpointing job last a lot longer.
Call Dan for your FREE estimate today.
(708) 431-5281
©2004 Dan Bartkiewicz All content.