Mortar is the material that binds brick and stone together. Years of weathering often cause these mortar joints to erode. When water is absorbed into mortar joints it can freeze during the winter months, expanding within the mortar and causing it to crumble. The crumbling mortar allows brick and stone to loosen and cracks to form. Tuckpointing is the process of grinding out the old deteriorated mortar and replacing it with new mortar. This is a maintenance procedure that is often needed at 25-year cycles but can also be used to address specific problem areas or cracks. Experience and craftsmanship are needed to insure the materials match in color, consistency, aggregate size and mortar strength. BRC's crews are highly experienced at this process and utilize special pneumatic equipment to safely remove the mortar without damage to the adjacent brick or stone.