Brick pointing in Mission TX - fresh mortar joints that match the brick you have
Mortar crumbling, gaps opening or joints sunk back from the brick? We cut out only the worn joints and refill them to match your wall.
Does your brick need repointing?
Brick pointing, which most masons call repointing, means cutting worn mortar out of the joints between your bricks and filling them with fresh mortar so the wall sheds water again. For brick homes and walls in Mission, TX, it's one of the most lasting ways to keep water out of the brickwork, and it's slow, careful work, not a quick patch.
You've probably noticed sandy grit at the base of a wall, or joints that look sunk back from the face of the brick. Usually it's the walls that take the most sun and rain that wear first, and the price comes down to how many joints have failed, how deep the damage goes, how high we have to work and how closely the new mortar has to match the old. The schedule turns on the weather and on any city permit or historic review your job needs. At the estimate I walk the wall with you, explain each part of the job and give you your own figure before anything starts.
How we handle brick pointing on your house
I start by walking the wall with you and marking the joints that have failed, and we leave the sound ones alone because good original mortar works better than new mortar. Before the crew cuts anything, I show you how they'll clear the old joints, and they work carefully so the brick edges stay whole. Guidance written for historic brick says hand chisels and small mash hammers take more labor but usually carry the least risk, and that power saws on thin joints like most brick walls have almost always break the edges, so it's a fair question to ask any crew. We match the new mortar to what's in your wall and keep it no stronger than the original, because mortar that's too strong can damage brick in a way you can't undo, and then we pack and shape each joint to match the look of the wall around it. Repointing is slow and noisy, so I tell you up front what the house will look and sound like while we're there, including any scaffolding on the front of it, and the crew cleans up before we leave.
Loose mortar is sometimes a sign of something bigger. Cracks that step up through the brick, or joints that keep opening after they've been filled, can mean the house is settling, and that calls for foundation repair before any new mortar goes in. Chimneys catch weather on every side, so if the joints up top are going too, we can look at chimney repair on the same visit.
Why Mission homeowners call us about worn mortar
The owner walks every job
I come out to look at every job and give the estimate myself, then a crew lead runs the work on site with our masons while I check in along the way. You hear the plan from the person responsible for it, and you know who to ask once the work starts.
Matching repairs since 2013
We've been in business since 2013, and we're best known for brick and mortar repair that matches what's already there. On a repointing job that means joints that blend into your wall instead of standing out as a patch.
Licensed and insured on site
We're licensed and insured. That matters on repointing because the crew spends a lot of time on ladders and scaffolding right against your house.
Historic district review planned early
Most projects in Mission's Historic Preservation Overlay District also need approval from the city's Historic Preservation Commission. If your house sits in that district, tell us early so the review is part of the plan and doesn't hold up your start date.
Before you reach out, take a few close photos of the worn joints and check whether your house is in the historic district, because both help me plan the visit. We're based in Mission and work in McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Weslaco and many of the cities around them, so call (956) 379-6055, email hello@missionconcreteandmasonry.com or send us your project details.
Get a free on-site estimate for your brick joints
We reply within one business day. The estimate is free, done on site and comes with no obligation. I'll walk the wall with you and explain each part of the job, so you know what it needs and why.
Repointed brick up close
What homeowners ask about brick pointing
How do I know my brick needs repointing?
Your brick likely needs repointing if the mortar joints show any of these signs: mortar worn back deeper than 1/4 inch, crumbling mortar, gaps in the joints, hairline cracks in the mortar, or cracks between the brick and the mortar. Take close photos of what you find and send them when you reach out, and I'll look at the whole wall in person at the estimate.
How much does brick pointing cost in Mission, TX?
The cost depends mostly on how many joints have failed and how hard they are to reach, so we price each wall at the estimate. A few worn patches low on a garden wall cost far less than a two-story wall or a chimney that needs scaffolding, and matching an older, softer mortar takes more time than a newer one.
How long does new mortar last after repointing?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, depending on how exposed the wall is and the mortar used, while the brick itself may well last over 100 years. That's why repointing is normal upkeep for a brick wall and not a sign the wall is failing. Our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
Can surface grouting replace repointing brick?
No. Preservation guidance written for historic masonry says surface grouting, where thin mortar is spread over the face of the joints instead of cutting them out, can't take the place of the fuller work of repointing and isn't a recommended treatment for historic brick.
Do I need a permit to repoint brick in Mission, TX?
Ask the city first, because Mission's Inspections Division reviews building permit applications for new buildings in the city and inspects work against the building codes, and you can reach the city with questions at (956) 580-8691 or (956) 580-8687. When a job needs a city permit, we take care of the paperwork with the city and build the wait into the schedule, and the city's residential permit form asks you to allow 3 to 5 business days to pick up a permit.
How do I choose a good contractor for brick repointing?
Look at a crew's past repointing jobs, because a mason who lays excellent new brick may not be skilled at repointing. One way to judge the work is to pick a hidden section of wall and have each candidate show their work there, so you can compare the joints side by side.
Other work that often goes with repointing
- Foundation repair
When cracks step through the brick or fresh joints keep splitting, the ground under the wall may be moving, and fixing that first keeps new mortar from cracking again.
- Chimney repair
A chimney stands up in the wind, sun and rain on every side, so its mortar and crown often wear out years before the walls below it do.