Brick pointing in La Mesa CA - tight joints that help keep water out of your walls
Old mortar out, matching mortar in
Brick pointing in La Mesa, CA means cutting worn mortar out of the joints and packing fresh mortar back in. Most people call us when joints crumble, sand away or crack. We do the work in the right order, so the new joints sit right beside the old brick.
Why brick pointing protects the brick you have
Pointing means cutting worn mortar out to an even depth and packing new mortar in, for brick that's still sound. Cracks that step through the brick can mean the house is moving, which calls for foundation repair first.
Price follows how many joints need work, how high we have to reach and how hard your old mortar is to match. The schedule turns on those things plus any permit or historic review. I put the scope in writing at the estimate.
Best for
- Crumbling or sandy joints
- Sound brick, worn mortar
- Brick chimneys and walls
- Older brick homes
Less water in the wall
Full, fresh joints are one of the best ways to cut down on water working into brick, and water is what breaks mortar and brick down over time.
The brick stays put
Mortar is meant to be the part that wears, so renewing the joints keeps the bricks themselves in place and keeps you from replacing them later.
Done in the right order
We sort out whatever is causing the damage before new mortar goes in, so the new joints aren't fighting the same problem the old ones lost to.
Small problems stay small
Catching crumbling or cracked joints early means less mortar to cut out and less chance of loose brick down the road.
Brick pointing built to last with matched mortar
- Since 2017 we've tooled each joint as the mortar firms up, pressing it tight against the brick so the joint sheds water instead of holding it.
- Where brick is soft, our masons clear old joints by hand so the edges don't chip, and when we grind, the grinder is shrouded and hooked to a vacuum.
- Repointing is its own skill, and a fine bricklayer isn't always good at it, so ask to see a crew's repointed walls. We're licensed and insured.
Choices for your brick pointing job
I walk the wall with you, mark which joints need work and talk through mortar and finish, so you choose with the whole picture in front of you.
Spot repointing
Fits a wall where only some joints have worn, often the low spots or the areas under a downspout.
Full wall repointing
Makes sense when most joints are soft or cracked, so the whole face wears evenly and looks the same.
Matched color and finish
We match the sand color and the old joint shape, which matters most on the side of the house people see.
Chimney pointing
Worn joints on a chimney get the same care, but a leaning or loose stack calls for chimney repair instead.
Tell us about your brick joints
Send photos of the worn joints. We reply within one business day, and I come out for a free, no-obligation estimate with the scope in writing.
Brick pointing questions we hear
How do I know my brick mortar needs repointing?
Your joints likely need repointing if the mortar has worn back more than ¼ inch, crumbles, has holes, or shows hairline cracks or gaps where it meets the brick. You can check for these yourself before you call. Photos of the worst spots help me plan the visit.
What type of mortar should be used for repointing old brick?
The new mortar should be no stronger than the original, because harder mortar puts stress where brick meets joint and can ruin the brick face for good. Ask any crew which mortar it plans to use. We match ours to what's already in your wall.
How long does new mortar last after brick repointing?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, depending on how exposed the wall is and which mortar was used, while the bricks may go past 100 years. That's why joints need care long before the brick does, and why the mortar should protect the brick.
Who handles permits for brick work in La Mesa?
La Mesa's Building Division handles permits for homes in the city, at 619.667.1176 or the City Hall permit counter. Some La Mesa mailing addresses sit in county areas, so we check which office covers yours. When a permit's needed, we handle the paperwork and line up inspections with you.
What if my La Mesa home is on the city's historic Inventory?
The city doesn't allow changes to a property on its historic Inventory except under its historic preservation procedures. Start by asking the city how those apply to your repointing before anything is scheduled. We'll plan the job around what it tells you.
Can an unlicensed handyman repoint brick in California?
Only on small jobs, under the state's minor work exemption. That exemption tops out at $1,000 and applies only when the work needs no permit and the person doing it employs no one on the project. Past that, the job calls for a licensed contractor.
Related work on brick homes
Foundation repair
When cracks run through the brick instead of along the joints, we check what's moving underneath before new mortar goes in.
Explore Foundation repairChimney repair
For a chimney that leans, has loose brick up top or needs more than fresh joints to stay sound.
Explore Chimney repair