Masonry Magazine July 2003 Page. 34
Tuckpointing Tools
When emptying the bag, wear gloves and an OSHA-approved lung protection device.
Once the bulk of the material has been removed, clean up and prepare the joints for new material. This entails chipping away any mortar remaining after cutting, brushing or rinsing out loose debris. The use of pressurized air to clean out debris is no longer recommended because of dust and then performing any other special requirements a job may have.
Use of a special shrouding and dust collection systems protect the operator as well as prevent environmental exposure of the fines produced during the cutting process.
Next, reapply material to the prepared joints. This process can be performed several ways, and much of this is based on the repair material chosen for the project. Matching the color of existing material is also important for a consistent finish.
In many cases, manufacturers recommended that the contractor first dampen the area where material is to be applied, then follow with several thin layers of mortar. Some repair materials can be applied at full depth. These materials can be applied manually or you can use "caulk guns" or other mechanical devices to inject the material into the joint. Whichever method is used, the mortar must be packed tightly into the joints.
Whichever method is used, the mortar must be packed tightly into the joints. Any air gaps within the joint can trap water and cause failures under the stress of freeze-thaw cycles. Before the mortar fully sets, a final tooling will be performed to create a smooth, concave look. With a final cleaning after the mortar has cured, the job is complete.
Conclusion
TUCKPOINTING IS A CRITICAL component of maintenance and repair for masonry and brick structures. Throughout the history of this industry, improvements in technology have allowed for better equipment and methods. Today's contractors have specialized tools such as dry cutting, shrouded saws that can provide improved environmental and worker protection, as well as higher productivity and efficiency.
Bill Glyne is National Product Manager for Sawtec, based in Houston, Texas. He has been involved with development and testing of dust reduction tools for many facets of concrete and masonry restoration.
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Masonry
July 2003
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