Loading...
Serving Rochester, MN and surrounding areas. (507) 738-1202
Crumbling mortar on your chimney or brick wall lets water in all winter long. We cut out the old material, pack in fresh mortar matched to your brick, and shape the joints so they shed water instead of collecting it.
Brick pointing in Rochester means removing old, damaged mortar from the joints between bricks and replacing it with fresh material - the bricks themselves are not touched, just the mortar holding them together - most residential jobs take one to three days.
Mortar is softer than brick by design. It absorbs weathering stress so the bricks do not have to. Over time - typically 20 to 30 years, sometimes sooner in Rochester's freeze-thaw climate - that mortar erodes, cracks, or pulls away from the brick face. When it does, every rain and every snowmelt pushes water into the wall. Left alone through another winter, those gaps widen until pointing is no longer enough and a structural repair becomes necessary.
Homeowners who call us about brick pointing often have questions about related work too - including tuckpointing, which uses a similar process and is sometimes done at the same time. We can assess both during a single visit and tell you exactly what the wall needs.
Run your hand along the joints on your chimney or brick wall. If mortar crumbles away easily, feels soft, or you can see gaps where it has fallen out, pointing is overdue. In Rochester's climate, open joints will only get worse through the next freeze-thaw season.
A chalky white residue called efflorescence means water is moving through the wall and carrying dissolved salts to the surface. The brick is not always damaged, but moisture is getting in somewhere - deteriorating mortar joints are the most common entry point.
Damp spots on an interior wall adjacent to exterior brick, water stains near a chimney on the ceiling, or moisture in a basement near a brick foundation all point to failing mortar joints. Rochester's wet springs and heavy snowmelt put real pressure on any gap in the exterior envelope.
Hairline cracks that follow the joint pattern - rather than cutting through bricks themselves - are a classic sign that mortar has lost its bond. Easy to miss from ground level, these cracks allow water in with every rain and every snowmelt until the joint is properly replaced.
Our brick pointing work covers chimneys, exterior walls, foundation brick, and retaining walls. We cut or grind out old mortar to a consistent depth, brush the joints clean, then pack in fresh mortar and tool it to match the original joint profile. For homes built in the 1960s, 70s, or 80s - common throughout Rochester - we use softer mortar formulas that flex with older brick instead of fighting it. Mortar that is harder than the surrounding brick causes bricks to crack when the wall moves with temperature changes, which is a more expensive problem than the original pointing job. We also handle foundation repair for situations where water infiltration through failed joints has led to structural concerns below grade.
When pointing alone is not enough - when bricks are spalling, chimneys have structural cracks, or walls have shifted - we tell you honestly and explain what the actual repair involves. We also work alongside tuckpointing jobs where both services are needed on the same structure, saving you a second mobilization. Jobs requiring scaffolding for tall chimneys or upper-story facades are part of our regular work in Rochester.
Suits masonry chimneys with deteriorating mortar joints that have been exposed to Rochester's freeze-thaw cycles and heat cycling from the firebox.
Suits mid-century homes with brick facades where mortar has reached the end of its service life and needs full or partial replacement.
Suits older Rochester homes with exposed brick foundations where failed joints are allowing water into the basement or crawl space.
Suits brick retaining walls with worn or crumbling joints that need repointing before freeze-thaw damage progresses to the wall structure.
Rochester's winters are the main reason mortar fails faster here than in milder climates. Temperatures swing above and below freezing repeatedly from late October through early April. Every time water enters an open joint and freezes, it expands and widens the gap a little more. After several winters, what started as surface erosion becomes a significant opening in the wall. For chimneys, the problem is doubled - mortar joints take freeze-thaw stress from outside while also dealing with expansion and contraction from heat cycling inside the flue. Chimney pointing is one of the most frequently needed masonry repairs in southeastern Minnesota, and addressing it before water reaches the firebox or attic framing is far less expensive than the alternative.
Rochester also has a large inventory of mid-century homes - many built in the 1960s and 70s - with brick chimneys and facades that have never had mortar work done. Using a modern high-strength mortar on this older brick can cause brick cracking rather than preventing it, which is why matching the mortar to the age and type of brick matters as much as doing the work at all. We work throughout Rochester and the surrounding region, including Kasson and Owatonna. If you have noticed crumbling joints or white staining on your brick and are not sure what it means, send us a photo or call - we are happy to give you a straight answer.
Describe the issue - a photo of the joint area helps. We respond within one business day and schedule an in-person visit before quoting. A phone estimate without seeing the wall is a red flag for this type of work.
We examine the joints up close to gauge how deep deterioration goes and whether any bricks are damaged. We assess access - whether ladders are sufficient or scaffolding is needed - which shapes both the price and timeline. You get a written quote.
We grind or chisel out old mortar to a consistent depth, brush joints clean, then pack in fresh mortar and tool it to match the original profile. Most residential jobs take one to three days. Expect some grinding noise and dust near the work area.
Fresh mortar needs several days to cure - avoid washing the wall or soaking it during that time. Before leaving we walk you through the finished work, point out anything we noticed, and explain what to watch for to catch any future wear early.
Free on-site estimates. We come out, look at the wall in person, and give you a written quote - no pressure, no vague numbers over the phone.
(507) 738-1202Rochester has a large stock of mid-century homes with older brick that needs softer mortar formulas. We assess your existing mortar and match the new mix to your brick's strength and porosity - preventing the brick cracking that wrong-mix repairs cause.
We do not rush cold-weather pointing jobs. Fresh mortar applied below freezing fails well before its time. We schedule work during Rochester's reliable above-freezing window and will not cut corners on curing conditions to fit a tight calendar.
We hold a current Minnesota state contractor's license, which you can verify online through the state licensing system. Membership in the Mason Contractors Association of America reflects ongoing training and commitment to industry standards.
Our written quotes describe how much joint will be replaced, what mortar mix will be used, and what the timeline looks like. No vague language, no surprises on the final bill. You know exactly what you are getting before anyone picks up a chisel.
Pointing done right - with old mortar fully removed, the correct mix packed in, and joints shaped to shed water - can last 25 to 30 years in Rochester's climate. Rushed or mismatched work fails in a fraction of that time. We have been doing this work throughout southeastern Minnesota long enough to know the difference matters, and we build every job to last.
Address structural concerns below grade when water infiltration through failed mortar joints has led to foundation damage.
Learn MoreA related mortar repair technique often combined with pointing on Rochester chimneys and brick walls needing both services.
Learn MoreOpen mortar joints get worse every winter - calling now means your wall or chimney is sealed and protected before the cold arrives.