Tuckpointing Services

Capital Masonry Restoration provides professional tuckpointing, repointing, and mortar joint repair services throughout St. Paul and the Twin Cities. Our team removes deteriorated mortar from brick and stone masonry and replaces it with compatible new mortar to restore strength, appearance, and weather resistance.


Proper tuckpointing also helps protect masonry from moisture intrusion, ongoing deterioration, and damage caused by Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles. Our experienced masonry craftsmen carefully prepare each joint and match the existing mortar as closely as possible for a durable, natural-looking repair.

Why chose Capital Masonry Restoration?


Capital Masonry Restoration provides professional tuckpointing and masonry restoration services for residential and commercial properties throughout St. Paul and the Twin Cities. Our experienced craftsmen understand both the technical side of masonry repair and the unique challenges Minnesota's climate can create for brick and mortar.


Experienced Masonry Craftsmen


Our team has extensive experience with tuckpointing, brick repair, stonework, and masonry restoration. We take the time to evaluate the condition of your masonry, identify the cause of deterioration, and recommend the appropriate repair rather than simply covering up the problem.


Quality Materials and Proper Techniques


A lasting masonry repair depends on using the right materials and proper restoration methods. We use quality materials selected for the specific masonry being repaired, including compatible mortar that helps protect existing brick and stone.


Experience With Minnesota Masonry


Minnesota's moisture, freezing temperatures, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles can be especially hard on mortar joints. Our team understands how these conditions affect masonry and how to perform tuckpointing repairs designed for our local climate.


Residential and Commercial Tuckpointing


Whether you need tuckpointing on an older St. Paul home, chimney, brick exterior, commercial building, or other masonry structure, Capital Masonry Restoration has the experience to handle projects of varying sizes and complexity.


Reliable, Professional Service


We work efficiently, communicate clearly throughout the project, and strive to minimize disruption to your home or business. Our goal is to restore the appearance and integrity of your masonry while providing a repair you can feel confident in.


If you are noticing cracked, missing, or deteriorated mortar, contact Capital Masonry Restoration to discuss your tuckpointing needs or schedule an evaluation.


See what our customers have to say about their experience working with Capital Masonry Restoration on recent tuckpointing and masonry restoration projects.

Still have questions? Check out our Tuckpointing FAQ

Tuckpointing is an important part of maintaining and protecting brick and masonry, especially in Minnesota’s climate. Homeowners often have questions about when tuckpointing is needed, how the process works, what it costs, and how long repairs will last. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we receive about tuckpointing in St. Paul and the Twin Cities. If you have questions about your specific property, the team at Capital Masonry Restoration is happy to help evaluate your masonry and recommend the right repair approach.



  • What is tuckpointing?

    Tuckpointing is the process of removing deteriorated mortar from the joints between bricks or stone and replacing it with new mortar. This restores the appearance of the masonry while helping protect it from water intrusion and further deterioration. Proper tuckpointing can extend the life of a brick wall, chimney, foundation, or other masonry structure by maintaining strong, weather-resistant mortar joints.

  • How can I tell if my masonry needs tuckpointing?

    A: Tuckpointing is necessary when the mortar between bricks or stone begins to crack, crumble, or wear away. Damaged mortar can allow water to penetrate the masonry, which may lead to further deterioration, loose bricks, and more costly structural repairs over time. Replacing failing mortar helps protect the masonry from moisture, improves its appearance, and extends the life of the wall or structure.

  • How much does tuckpointing cost?

    The cost of tuckpointing varies considerably depending on the size and condition of the masonry, accessibility, the amount of deteriorated mortar that needs to be removed, and the type of mortar required. A small localized repair may cost significantly less than tuckpointing an entire chimney or exterior wall. Capital Masonry Restoration can inspect the masonry and provide an estimate based on the actual scope of work rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all price.


  • What factors determine the cost of tuckpointing?

    A: Small tuckpointing repairs can be a DIY project if you have the right tools and experience, but larger or more visible masonry repairs are often best left to a professional. Using the wrong mortar mix, removing too much existing mortar, or applying new mortar incorrectly can damage the surrounding brick and lead to premature failure. A masonry professional can match the mortar to the existing structure and make sure the repair is done properly and lasts.

  • What is the difference between tuckpointing and repointing?

    A: When hiring a tuckpointing contractor in St. Paul, look for a masonry restoration company with experience working on older brick and stone buildings, matching existing mortar, and repairing masonry for Minnesota’s freeze-thaw climate. Capital Masonry Restoration is a St. Paul-based masonry contractor specializing in tuckpointing, brick repair, and historic masonry restoration. With more than 40 years of combined masonry experience, our team focuses on using compatible mortar and restoration techniques that protect the masonry while maintaining the appearance and character of the original structure.

  • How long does tuckpointing last?

    A: As a general guideline, tuckpointing in the Twin Cities can range from roughly $8 to $30 per square foot. The actual cost depends on the condition of the mortar, the size and location of the repair, accessibility, mortar matching requirements, and whether additional brick or masonry repairs are needed. Smaller projects may also be subject to minimum project costs. Capital Masonry Restoration provides on-site evaluations and detailed estimates so home and building owners know what repairs are needed and what they will cost before work begins.


  • What causes mortar joints to deteriorate?

    Mortar naturally wears down over time, but moisture is one of the biggest contributors to deterioration. Water can enter mortar joints and expand when it freezes, gradually causing cracks and deterioration. Minnesota's repeated freeze-thaw cycles can make this especially noticeable. Age, improper previous repairs, incompatible mortar, poor drainage, salt exposure, and movement in the masonry can also contribute. Identifying the cause helps determine whether tuckpointing alone will solve the problem.

  • Can tuckpointing stop water from getting through brick?

    Tuckpointing can help stop water intrusion when deteriorated mortar joints are allowing moisture into the masonry. However, damaged mortar is not the only possible source of a masonry leak. Problems with flashing, chimney crowns, caps, sealant joints, roof connections, drainage, or damaged brick can also allow water in. A good masonry inspection should identify the likely source of the moisture rather than assuming tuckpointing alone will solve every water problem.

  • Can damaged mortar be tuckpointed, or does the brick need to be replaced?

    If the bricks are still in good condition and the deterioration is primarily in the mortar joints, tuckpointing may be all that is needed. If bricks are severely cracked, loose, spalling, or deteriorated, individual bricks may need to be replaced as part of the repair. More significant movement, bulging, or structural damage may require additional masonry work. Capital Masonry Restoration can evaluate whether tuckpointing, brick replacement, or a combination of repairs is appropriate.

  • Can I do tuckpointing myself?

    Small tuckpointing repairs may look straightforward, but proper mortar repair requires more than simply applying new mortar over an existing joint. Deteriorated mortar needs to be removed to an appropriate depth, the joint needs to be prepared correctly, and the replacement mortar should be compatible with the existing brick and mortar. Using mortar that is too hard, particularly on older brick, can contribute to brick damage. For larger repairs, chimneys, historic masonry, or widespread deterioration, hiring an experienced masonry contractor is generally the better approach.

  • How do I choose a tuckpointing contractor in St. Paul?

    Look for a masonry contractor with specific experience in tuckpointing and mortar restoration, especially on the older brick homes common throughout St. Paul. A qualified contractor should be able to identify why the mortar is deteriorating, match the replacement mortar appropriately, remove deteriorated mortar to the proper depth, and determine whether any damaged brick also needs repair or replacement.


    Capital Masonry Restoration specializes in tuckpointing and masonry restoration throughout St. Paul and the Twin Cities. Our team can evaluate the condition of your masonry and recommend the appropriate repair based on the age, materials, and condition of the structure.