Brick chimneys above the roof
Chimney joints sit right out in the weather, and federal guidance on masonry chimneys aims to reduce the danger of falling brick in an earthquake, so it's worth keeping that mortar sound.
Brick pointing in Yorba Linda CA - solid joints that keep water out of the wall
Mortar crumbling or worn back from your brick? We clear out the old joints and refill them with a mix that suits your brick.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free in-person estimates.
- Expect a reply within 1 business day.
What brick pointing does for your wall
Brick pointing, which most people also call repointing, is when our crew cuts the worn mortar out of the joints to an even depth and fills them with fresh mortar, so the brick wall, chimney or fireplace at your Yorba Linda home has sound joints again instead of gaps that can let moisture into the wall.
Most calls start when someone notices sandy mortar on the ground under a wall, or joints that have sunk back from the face of the brick. We're based in Yorba Linda and repoint brick here and in many of the cities around it, including Placentia, Fullerton, Orange, Irvine and Norwalk.
The price mostly comes down to how much wall needs doing, how high it sits and whether we need scaffolding, how hard the old mortar is to cut out, and how closely the new color has to match. The schedule turns on the same things, plus the time for you to approve a test spot, so I'll give you your own figure in the estimate once I've seen the brick.
I see every job myself
I come out to look at your brick and write the estimate myself, and I'm on site to check the work while our own masons and helpers do it.
A tidy site each evening
We clear away the old mortar we've cut out and leave your walks and yard tidy at the end of each day, because you're still living there while we work.
Working in Yorba Linda since 2017
I opened this business in Yorba Linda in 2017, and we're best known for careful brick, block and stone work, with satisfaction guaranteed on every job.
How our crew repoints a brick wall
Before we repoint a whole wall, we're glad to point a small spot in a less visible part of it, so you can see the color and finish of the new joints beside your brick before we do the rest. Once you're happy with it, our crew cuts the old mortar out to an even depth, or back to sound mortar, with a toothing chisel or a pointer's grinder, then packs in fresh mortar and tools the joints to the finish you chose. Federal guidance on historic buildings describes repointing as precise, slow and noisy, and a tall wall or chimney may need scaffolding for some time, so I'll tell you what to expect before we begin.
The mix matters as much as the handwork. Industry guidance says new mortar must be equal to or weaker than the original, because a stronger mortar can cause spalling, the face of the brick breaking away, and the softest mixes are generally kept for older brick. That's why I'll tell you which mix we plan to use and why it suits your wall.
Sometimes the joints are only part of the story. If cracks step through the mortar or the wall has moved, we'll look at whether it needs foundation repair first, because new mortar usually won't hold across a crack that's still moving. On a chimney with loose or broken brick up top, that's a chimney repair job, and we'll price it alongside the pointing.
Where we usually repoint brick
Garden and property walls
A freestanding brick wall takes weather on both faces, and joints that have worn back or opened at the brick edge let water sit inside the wall, which is where trouble starts.
Fireplace surrounds inside the house
Indoor brick around a fireplace usually wears slowly, but hollow or cracked joints can still loosen bricks over time, and repointing them freshens the face without rebuilding it.
Brick planters, steps and borders
Low brick in the garden sits in damp soil and sprinkler spray, so its joints often go first, and repointing them early keeps loose bricks from turning into a rebuild.
Get a free estimate for your brick joints
Tell us where the brick is and add a photo of the worn joints if you can. We'll reply within one business day, and I'll come out to write a free estimate, with no obligation.
Photos help me prepare
A close photo of the joints and one of the whole wall, chimney or fireplace show me the size and height of the job, so I arrive with the right questions.
I'll walk the brick with you
On site I'll point out the joints I'd redo and the ones that are still sound, so you understand each part of the estimate before you decide anything.
Mix and color settled up front
The estimate says which mortar mix we plan to use and how we'll match your color, so those questions are answered before anyone picks up a chisel.
Brick joint and masonry finish examples
These photos show joint styles, mortar colors and brick walls, chimneys and fireplaces, to help you picture the finish you'd like on yours.
Questions about repointing brick in Yorba Linda
Here are plain answers to what homeowners usually ask about worn joints, mortar color, how long the work lasts and permits.
How do I know my brick needs repointing?
Your brick likely needs repointing if the mortar has worn back more than 1/4 inch, crumbles, has holes in it, shows hairline cracks, or has cracked away from the brick. Those are the signs industry guidance lists. A close look and a light scrape with a metal tool, such as a key, will often show them before you call.
Will the new mortar match my old joints?
It should, and we settle the color in the estimate before we start. Industry guidance says that when only part of a wall is repointed, the new mortar should match the existing color. The test spot I mentioned above lets you see the match on your own brick before we go further.
How long does repointing brick last?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the bricks may well last over 100, so most brick walls need their joints renewed at some point. How soon depends on how exposed the wall is and which mortar was used, so a chimney top usually needs it sooner than a sheltered garden wall.
Do I need to repoint the whole wall or just the bad joints?
Usually the whole affected area, not only the joints that look worst. It can be hard to tell which joints are letting moisture in, so one industry guide advises repointing all the joints in that part of the wall. I'll show you on site which area I'd include and why, and that area is a big part of the price.
Who handles permit questions for brick pointing in Yorba Linda?
The city's Building Department does, at 714-961-7120. It handles permits for most construction or repair regulated by code, and its list names fences and fireplaces, not brick pointing, so it's the place to ask about your job. The city now books plan reviews and code consultations by appointment. We check with the city before work begins and handle any permit paperwork and inspections.
Can any good bricklayer do repointing?
Not always, because industry guidance notes that an excellent bricklayer may not be skilled at repointing. It's fair to ask any contractor to show you past repointing or a sample on a less visible part of your wall. We're licensed and insured, and we're glad to do that sample spot for you first.
Related masonry work that often comes with pointing
Ask us to look at your brick joints
We're open every day until 10 PM, so call (714) 386-7680 or send the form whenever you spot worn or crumbling mortar.