Hey everyone! I own a 110-year-old brick house, and I noticed that the tuckpointing between the porch and the main structure has deteriorated quite a bit over the last winter. There's a significant gap now that I can't just fill with cement since it won't hold. Given that I live in the Midwest, what's the most effective way to tackle this repair, especially considering the harsh winters? I wish I could share some photos to give you a better idea!
2 Answers
For a house that's over a century old, you'll want to use a lime-based mortar for the tuckpointing. It's more compatible with older bricks and allows them to breathe, which is crucial for durability.
It sounds like the porch might be shifting a bit from the main house, which could be making the gap worse. For tuckpointing, using a masonry cement that's sand-based (without rock aggregate) works best. You can even tint it to match the existing mortar. But if you’re unsure about the work, getting a professional bricklayer involved is a good idea!
Thanks for the tips! I initially thought the porch might be moving away, but the top seems aligned with the wall. Perhaps it’s just the freeze-thaw effects making this gap larger, right?