Tuckpointing Material Calculator

Fast material totals for tuckpointing, repointing, and patching. Choose brick size, joint profile, mix ratio, safety. Download clear reports for crews, bids, and orders.

Meta words: 25/25 Tagline words: 24/24

Calculator

Switching updates the visible input set.
Typical mortar range: 0.40–0.60.
Windows/doors reduce net joint length.
Depth of raked joint to refill.
Use if purchasing bagged mortar mix.
Common repointing mixes range 1:2 to 1:4.

Example data table

Scenario Wall Brick Joint Waste Wet mortar Mix
Small façade repair 10 ft × 6 ft 8 in × 2.25 in 3/8 in wide × 3/4 in deep 10% ~0.9 ft³ 1:3
Long garden wall 30 ft × 4 ft 8 in × 2.25 in 3/8 in wide × 1 in deep 12% ~1.8 ft³ 1:3
Metric sample 6 m × 2.4 m 200 mm × 57 mm 10 mm wide × 20 mm deep 10% ~0.030 m³ 1:3
Examples are illustrative; your wall pattern and joint tooling change real usage.

Formula used

The calculator estimates mortar volume by turning your wall into a grid of bricks and joints. It computes the number of horizontal courses and bricks per course using the brick module size.

  • module length = brick length + joint width
  • module height = brick height + joint width
  • bricks per row = wall length ÷ module length
  • rows = wall height ÷ module height
  • horizontal joint length = wall length × (rows + 1)
  • vertical joint length = bricks per row × rows × brick height
  • joint volume = (horizontal + vertical length) × joint width × joint depth

Net openings reduce volume proportionally by wall area, then waste is added. Dry material volume uses a 1.33 factor to cover shrinkage and voids. Cement and sand volumes split by the selected mix ratio.

How to use this calculator

  1. Select your unit system, then enter wall length and height.
  2. Subtract doors and windows using the openings area field.
  3. Enter brick size, joint width, and raked joint depth.
  4. Choose a mix ratio and set waste for breakage and cleanup.
  5. Optionally enable premix to estimate bag counts directly.
  6. Press calculate to view results above the form.
  7. Download a CSV or PDF report for purchasing and bids.

Professional guide to tuckpointing material takeoffs

1) What tuckpointing replaces

Tuckpointing restores deteriorated mortar joints so masonry can shed water and resist freeze–thaw cycling. Replacing weak joints reduces air leakage, protects embedded steel, and improves the appearance of brickwork, block, and stone veneers.

2) Why joint geometry matters

Joint width and raked depth control how much new mortar is required. Doubling depth doubles volume, and wider joints raise volume linearly. The calculator uses your brick module and joint profile to approximate total joint length across the wall face.

3) Typical joint dimensions

Many brick walls use 3/8 inch (about 10 mm) joints, with tuckpointing depths commonly 3/4 to 1 inch (20–25 mm) after grinding. Historic work can require deeper raking to reach sound material. Always measure several areas, not one spot.

4) Estimating mortar volume

The method estimates courses and bricks per course from wall length and height, then totals horizontal joints and vertical joints. Joint volume equals total joint length multiplied by joint width and joint depth, then reduced for windows and doors by area.

5) Dry-to-wet conversion factor

Mortar shrinks as it cures and fine voids consume additional paste. To reflect this, the calculator multiplies wet joint volume by a 1.33 dry-factor for practical purchasing. Waste allowance then covers spillage, tooling loss, and cleanup on site.

6) Choosing a practical mix ratio

Mix ratios affect workability, strength, and vapor permeability. A common repointing baseline is 1:3 cement-to-sand by volume, but softer historic masonry may need lime-rich mixes. Use project specifications, then adjust the ratio inputs to match.

7) Bagged premix versus site mix

Bagged premix is convenient for small jobs, consistent batching, and tight schedules. Site mixing can lower cost on larger projects when sand delivery and storage are available. The premix option converts required wet volume into estimated bag counts using your yield.

8) Field tips for ordering accuracy

For ordering, group walls by similar brick size and joint depth, and add extra for corners, chimneys, and heavily eroded areas. Track actual bags used per square meter or square foot to calibrate future estimates. Better planning reduces downtime and waste. Moisture exposure is highest near grade lines, parapets, and flashing transitions, so prioritize those zones in takeoffs. If joints are recessed or irregular, consider increasing joint width slightly to reflect real tooling profiles. For colored mortar, order a test batch and reserve extra material for future touchups.

FAQs

1. Does the calculator work for stone walls?

Yes. Enter representative unit length and height, and measure average joint width and depth. Irregular rubble stone can vary widely, so increase waste and consider using a smaller module size to reflect more joint length.

2. How do I account for very deep raking?

Measure the deepest sound depth you must refill, not the surface recess. If depth varies, use a weighted average or run two scenarios and combine results. Add extra waste for hard-to-tool joints.

3. Why is there a dry-volume factor?

Freshly placed mortar loses water and consolidates, and fine voids require additional paste. The dry factor helps estimate how much cement and sand to purchase so you do not run short after curing shrinkage.

4. What waste percentage is realistic?

Ten percent is common for straightforward wall runs. Use 12–20% for damaged faces, overhead work, tight joints, or frequent color matching. Reduce waste only when you have consistent crews and tight quality control.

5. How accurate are bag counts?

Bag counts depend on product yield, moisture in sand, and field batching. Use the premix yield printed on your bag or your historical data. For critical jobs, round up to full bags and stage one extra pallet.

6. Should I use premix or site mix?

Premix suits small projects and consistent color. Site mixing can be cheaper for larger volumes when sand delivery is easy. Consider crew experience, access, storage, and washout controls, then compare total installed cost.

7. Can I export results for estimating sheets?

Yes. After calculating, download CSV for spreadsheets or PDF for sharing with purchasing and supervisors. Keep the report with job notes so future takeoffs can be calibrated against actual material usage.

Accurate tuckpointing estimates keep repairs efficient and durable always.

Related Calculators

Concrete footing calculatorConcrete curb calculatorConcrete sidewalk calculatorConcrete pad calculatorConcrete pier calculatorConcrete cylinder volume calculatorConcrete waste factor calculatorConcrete cost calculatorReady mix truck calculatorConcrete batch calculator

Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.