Factories and other buildings made of masonry and brick are marvels, especially the older structures in industrial cities like New York and Chicago. Consider the material and labor involved with the construction of these facilities, where every brick or block was placed by hand and every joint worked with a trowel – it is nothing less than amazing. This is especially true when compared with today’s more efficient building methods.

What is even more amazing is the realization that during the expected life span of these buildings, every one of those same mortar joints will need to be cut, cleaned and refilled with fresh mortar, often several times. This restoration process, known as grinding and tuckpointing, is part of the standard maintenance package for brick and block buildings. A large specialized industry has evolved out of the need for this kind of maintenance, with contractors dedicated to the repair of masonry and brick structures.