Brick pointing in Temecula CA - new mortar joints that match your old brick
Mortar crumbling, sandy or pulling away from the brick? We cut out the bad joints and refill them with mortar that suits your brick.
- Mortar suited to brick We pick mortar that suits your old brick, not the hardest bag.
- Color tried first You see the match on a hidden spot before we do the wall.
- What can wait I'll tell you which joints need work now and which can wait.
- Cause found first We find what wore the mortar out before new mortar goes in.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free on-site estimates.
- Expect a reply within 1 business day.
How do you know your brick joints need pointing?
Mortar wears out long before the brick does, and catching it while only a few joints are bad keeps the job small and the brick itself in good shape.
Mortar sunk back from the brick
The joints look recessed, like the mortar has worn away from the face. That usually means weather has been eating it, and the deeper it goes, the more joints need work.
Sand at the base of the wall
You find gritty sand or crumbs along the bottom of the wall. The mortar is breaking down, and once it loses its hold, water gets in faster.
Holes and gaps in the joints
Some joints have open spots where mortar has fallen out completely. Water and bugs get straight into the wall there, and the bricks around them start loosening.
Hairline cracks in the mortar
Thin cracks run through the joints, sometimes in a line along the wall. They let water in, and if they step down the wall, the house may be moving.
Mortar pulling away from brick
You see a thin gap where the mortar meets the brick. The bond has let go, so water runs in behind the joint and the damage spreads from there.
Brick faces flaking off
The front of some bricks is chipping or breaking away. Old patching with mortar that's too hard often causes it, and every brick that spalls is one to replace.
What our brick pointing work involves
Brick pointing means cutting out mortar that's worn or cracked and packing new mortar into the joints. I start by working out why the joints failed and marking the ones that need it, because a sound original joint is better left alone than replaced. Our crew rakes out the bad mortar, then we try the color on a hidden spot so you can see the match before we do the wall, and a good match mostly comes down to picking the right sand. We go with a mortar that suits your old brick in strength, color and texture, not the strongest bag on the shelf, because mortar harder than the brick pushes the stress into the brick face, and that's how faces crack and flake off. Then we pack the joints, shape them to match the old ones and clean the wall. What moves the price and the schedule is how many joints need work, how high the wall goes and what's behind the damage, and your written estimate lays all of that out.
Crumbling mortar is usually just the part you can see, and something else wore it out. If water is coming in from above, a cracked crown or loose flashing often needs chimney repair first, and if cracks step down the wall because the house has moved, that's a foundation repair question before it's a pointing one. I fix the cause before the new mortar goes in, and I'll tell you straight which repair comes first and which can wait.
What happens when you call us about brick pointing in Temecula?
From your first call to the final walk-around, I look at the job myself and our crew does the work, with any paperwork sorted before we start.
Call or send the form
Call (951) 466-2105 or use the form and tell us where the wall is. Photos of the worn joints help me know what I'm walking into.
I look and write it up
I come out, figure out what's wearing the mortar, measure and take photos. You get a written estimate that says which joints need work now.
We sort paperwork and repoint
Once you say go, we handle any city or county paperwork and get started. Raking out old mortar is loud, so we keep that work within Temecula's construction hours.
Clean up and walk it
We clean mortar smears off the brick and haul the debris away. Then we walk the finished wall with you so you can check the joints and the color.
Why Temecula homeowners call Fieldstone Temecula Concrete and Masonry
The owner looks at your wall
I come out myself, find what's wearing your mortar out and tell you what can wait, so you don't pay for more than you need.
Fixing masonry since 2017
I learned the trade fixing walls and chimneys other people built wrong, then started this business in Temecula in 2017.
Fully licensed and insured
We're fully licensed and insured, which matters when a crew and scaffolding are working right up against your house.
A mason runs every job
My lead mason or I run each job on site, so the mortar mix and joint shape stay the same across the wall.
Get a written estimate for your brick pointing
Send your address and a few photos of the worn joints, and we'll get back to you within one business day to set up a visit. I come out, look at the wall and give you a free written estimate, with no pressure and no obligation.
Examples of brick pointing
Look through these examples of brick pointing to see what worn joints, raked-out joints and freshly finished mortar usually look like.
Brick pointing questions we hear
These are the questions people ask me most about repointing brick. If yours isn't here, call or send photos of your wall and I'll tell you what I see.
How do I know if my brick needs repointing?
Your brick needs repointing when the mortar has worn back more than about 1/4 inch from the face, or when it's crumbling, has holes, shows hairline cracks or has cracked away from the brick. Joints still in good shape are better left alone, so I mark only the bad ones.
How much does brick pointing cost in Temecula?
Brick pointing is priced mostly on labor, because every joint is cleaned out and refilled one at a time, and that's slow, careful work. The price goes up with the number of joints, the height of the wall and any scaffolding, and it comes down when only some joints need work. I'll give you a written number after I've seen the wall.
How long does repointed mortar last?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the bricks themselves can go well past 100. That means a brick house will need repointing now and then over its life, and it's ordinary upkeep, not a sign the brick is failing.
How long does brick pointing take?
It takes longer than most people expect, because each joint is raked out and refilled by hand-held tools one at a time. A small area goes fairly quickly, while a whole wall or chimney can mean scaffolding against the house for a while and some noisy days while the old mortar comes out. Your estimate tells you what to plan for.
Do I need a licensed contractor for brick pointing in California?
Yes, unless the whole job is under $1,000, needs no permit and the person doing it has no employees on the project. That's the state licensing board's limit for unlicensed minor work, so most repointing jobs of any size call for a licensed contractor.
How deep should old mortar be raked out when repointing brick?
Deep enough for the new mortar to grip, and national preservation guidance ties that minimum depth to how wide each joint is. Too shallow and the new mortar can pop out later. Ask any crew you're comparing how deep they go, and I'll show you on the test spot.
Where we do brick pointing
Inside Temecula, the city's Building Department decides whether repointing needs a permit, so we check before we start and pull one when it does. You can confirm your address is in the city, or pick your area below.
Get a straight answer on your brick pointing
Send photos of the worn joints with your address, and I'll know what to look for before I get there.