Brick pointing in Novato CA - fresh mortar joints with clean brick edges
Mortar crumbling, cracking or pulling away from the brick? We cut out the worn joints carefully and pack them with fresh mortar.
What is brick pointing, and does my wall need it?
Brick pointing means cutting the worn mortar out of the joints in a brick wall and packing them with fresh mortar, and Optimum Novato Concrete and Masonry does it on houses, chimneys and garden walls in Novato so the brick stays tight and sound.
Most calls start with someone running a thumb along a joint and coming away with a palm full of sand. Mortar is supposed to give out before the brick does, since it's the cheaper part to replace, but if the cracks run through the bricks themselves or step down the wall, it may be more than mortar, and we'd check whether foundation repair has to come first. What the job costs and how long we're there come down mostly to how much wall needs work and how hard it is to reach, and the written estimate gives you your own number.
Why Novato homeowners hire us for brick pointing
Most people call because something's crumbling and they want a straight answer. You'll get one, along with careful work on the parts of the wall nobody looks at once it's done.
I look at it myself
I come out to every job in person, and my own crew of masons does the pointing with me.
In business since 2017
That's 9 years in Novato, and mortar work on old brick and chimneys is what we're best known for.
Fully licensed and insured
Ask to see proof of both before we set up, and we'll hand it over.
See our pointing first
If you'd like to see pointing we've done before you decide, just ask, because a good bricklayer isn't always a good pointer.
Satisfaction guaranteed on every job
That's our word on every wall we point, so call (628) 209-1088 or use the form to talk about yours.
Brick pointing work we take on
Which kind of pointing fits your house depends on how much of the wall has worn, how old the brick is and what mortar is in there now.
Talk to us about your pointing
Send a few photos of the worn joints or call (628) 209-1088 to set up an estimate.
Why homeowners trust Optimum Novato Concrete and Masonry with pointing
It starts with what's in your wall now. On historic brick, the new mortar should be equal to or weaker in strength than the old, because stronger mortar stresses the brick and damages it, so I look at the old mortar before we mix anything. Mortar that's too strong wins every argument with soft brick, and the brick pays for it.
Then we cut the old joints out carefully so the brick edges stay clean, because a careless grinder makes a mess you can't undo. Surface grouting, a thin coat smeared over worn joints, is no substitute for real repointing, and on historic brick the advice is to skip it. We'd rather do the slow version once.
Brick pointing questions we hear
Is brick pointing the same as tuckpointing?
For most homeowners, yes, since both names get used for cutting worn mortar out of the joints and filling them with fresh mortar. Masons usually call it repointing, and you'll also see it listed as tuckpointing.
How do I tell if my brick mortar needs repointing?
Look for joints worn back more than 1/4 inch from the brick face, mortar that crumbles when you scratch it, gaps, hairline cracks, or cracks along the edge where mortar meets brick. Any of those is a good reason to have a mason take a closer look.
How long do repointed mortar joints last?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the bricks can go well past 100, which is why you repoint a wall instead of rebuilding it. How long yours lasts depends on how much weather the wall takes and the mortar used, so the mix matters as much as the hands.
How much does brick pointing cost in Novato?
There's no flat price, because the cost comes from how much wall needs cutting out, how high it goes and how deep the old mortar has worn. Scaffolding on a tall wall or chimney, cracked bricks that have to come out and matching mortar on older brick all add to it, while one weathered section costs far less than a whole house.
Who do I call about building permits in Novato?
Call the Novato Building Division at 415.899.8989, since their staff answer permit questions, and the city runs permits and inspections through its online portal. I'll also tell you what I know about your job when I come out.
Does a contractor need a license for brick pointing in California?
In most cases, yes. The state's contractor license board lets an unlicensed person take a job only up to $1,000, and only when the work needs no permit and they employ no one on it, so a mason who brings a helper needs a license.
What happens when you call about brick pointing in Novato?
Nothing gets cut out until you've seen what I found and what I'd do about it, and the work gets planned around your house and your go-ahead.
You get in touch
Call (628) 209-1088 any day from 8 AM to 9 PM, or send the form, and tell me what you're seeing on the wall.
A look at your wall
I check the joints, the brick and the mortar in there now, then tell you what I'd do and what I wouldn't bother with.
Your written estimate
You get the estimate in writing, so you can compare it side by side with anyone else you're talking to before you decide.
Work and walk-through
The crew and I cut out and refill the joints and clean up, then I walk the finished wall with you.
Brick pointing in Novato and nearby cities
The City of Novato decides if a pointing job needs a permit, and we pull it when one's needed. We also work from Mill Valley up through Petaluma, so pick your city below or call.
Ask for a brick pointing estimate in Novato
Call (628) 209-1088 or use the form while it's still a mortar job, because worn joints let water get at the bricks.