Page 357 - Construction Waterproofing Handbook

REMEDIAL WATERPROOFING 8.17
TABLE 8.5 Tuck-Pointing Properties

Advantages Disadvantages
No aesthetic changes to substrate Labor-intensive
Environmentally safe Cost
Repairs can be limited to a specific area Mortar removal may damage surrounding masonry

tuck-pointing is required, specifications or bid documents should be explicit as to what
constitutes sufficient deterioration to require removal and replacement. The tuck-pointing
type of repair requires inspection to ensure that deteriorated joints are being repaired as per
the contract.
For complete tuck-pointing projects, all joints will be restored, but inspection procedures
should also be structured to ensure that all joints are actually tuck-pointed. Economics of
complete tuck-pointing often lead to considering alternate repair methods, including face
grouting or complete regrouting.

TUCK-POINTING APPLICATION

Masonry walls should be thoroughly checked for contaminants before tuck-pointing.
3
1
Existing mortar should be removed to a minimum depth of 8 in, preferably 2 in. Up
to 1-in removal of severely deteriorated joints is required. These depths allow bonding
between existing and newly placed mortar and the masonry units.
Joint removal is completed by hand or
with power tools such as hand grinders (see
Fig. 8.13). On historic structures or soft
masonry work, power tools damage exist-
ing masonry too extensively. Power tools
often cause irregular joint lines, or actual
portions of masonry be removed. Sample
areas on older masonry structures should be
analyzed for acceptability of power tool
usage.
Once defective mortar is removed, joint
cavities must be cleaned to remove dust and
mortar residue. This residue, if left, will
deter the effective bonding of new mortar. A
preferred method of residue removal is
spraying joints with compressed air.
Once preparatory work is completed,
existing mortar cavities should be wetted just
before tuck-pointing application. This pre-
vents premature drying and curing, which
FIGURE 8.13 Tuck-pointing application. (Courtesy
of Western Group) results in structurally weak joints.