As stone and brick constructions become old, they gradually become fragile because the mortar joints fail. Indeed, stone and brick are highly durable masonry materials, but they tend to lose their strength and integrity over time. The primary reason is the weakening and crumbling of mortar, which is the bonding material between joints.
So, if you notice loose or missing bricks or stones or leaning walls, you have mortar joint failure. It extensively affects the building’s stability and sturdiness. How can you fix it? Tuck pointing NYC is a long-term and effective solution to restore defective mortar joints. It not only encourages cosmetic transformation but also aids enhanced architectural and functional abilities.
In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about tuckpointing. It will help you to understand the process and its proactive benefits. Let’s get started.
What is Tuckpointing?
Almost all the buildings in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Long Island, Brooklyn, and Richmond Hill are made of brick or stone. It means every construction undergoes some extent of mortar damage over a period. So, tuckpointing is a prerequisite to restoring strength and integrity.
Similar to brick pointing, tuckpointing is the process of removing damaged mortar and replacing it with new mortar. The only difference is that tuckpointing companies install new mortar closely complementing the color of the brick or stone and then set sleek putty lines known as fillers. However, the fillers are in different colors and embedded through the center of the joints.
Tuckpointing proposes the impression of flimsy mortar joints purposely made. It exhibits a distinctive cosmetic look with an elegant appeal. However, tuckpointing is a principal building restoration process that must be performed every 25 to 30 years.
Why is Tuckpointing Necessary?
Tuckpointing has more to do, apart from boosting aesthetic appeal. It is imperative to conduct tuckpointing because of the following reasons:
- Masonry Maintenance– As we said, masonry structures decay and deteriorate with the passing years. The mortar joints are the weakest spots susceptible to impairment. Thus, as a significant aspect of regular maintenance, tuckpointing plays a vital role. It is an affordable and effective measure to protect your building’s overall well-being.
- Safeguard Structural Soundness– One of the fundamental benefits of tuckpointing is that it safeguards your building’s structural soundness. As mortar joints fail, the entire construction becomes weak and unstable. It can only be fixed through professional tuckpointing services aiming to impart architectural soundness and durability.
- Diminish Moisture Infiltration– What happens when mortar disintegrates? It creates gaps between the adjacent bricks or stones. As a result, moisture can easily penetrate through these gaps, reaching the interiors. Naturally, you will encounter massive waterproofing failure. Nonetheless, sealing these gaps through tuckpointing can curtail the scope of water damage.
- Promote Building Longevity– The lifespan of a building is reduced with considerable mortar damage because moisture can easily penetrate through the gaps and cause overall structural failure. As the problems aggravate, the building loses its foundational stability, and its longevity reduces. So, to resolve it efficiently, brick tuckpointing contractors are the men of the hour! They can efficiently solve the issue with the necessary skills and techniques.
- Curtail Infestations– Too many gaps and crevices increase moisture damage. Naturally, pest infestation is common. You may occasionally spot mold and mildew that appear as ugly stains. They spread germs and infections and compromise the air quality.
- Better Insulation– Finally, sealing the gaps also improves insulation. It keeps your HVAC system working properly, and you pay less for electricity bills!To conclude, tuckpointing services are pivotal for masonry repair projects. But before the services, consider hiring a world-class and reputed contractor, ensuring competence and diligence.
