How challenging is tuckpointing a 5 ft cinder block foundation before winter, aside from selecting the right mortar?
Asked by Ananya Thampy 
6 months ago
Last Updated: May 31, 2024
How hard is it to do tuckpointing? We have about 5 feet of cinder block above ground around our foundation, and my wife wants me to tackle it before winter. Besides picking the right mortar, is the process basically scraping out the loose stuff, filling it in, and smoothing it out?
It’s simple to accomplish, but tricky to do without creating a mess on the surface of neighboring bricks
Luckily, Kevin s, these bricks have a rough texture, and I’m considering painting them in the spring.
It’s more effective on blocks than bricks because mortar stains on the block surface are less visible. Make sure to scrape off at least 1/2 inch of old mortar before repointing. Pack the mortar tightly but allow it to cure for a while before finishing the joints. This way, the excess mortar will easily flake off instead of sticking to the block surface.
Investing in an angle grinder would definitely be worth it. Removing old mortar is a messy task, but scraping it out by hand is not an easy job, especially if it’s spread out over a large area. It might be manageable if it’s only in a few spots, like around ten linear feet or so.