Guides
Brickwork guides for Sydney homes
Work out what you’re seeing on your wall, compare the repair options and plan the work before you ask for a quote.
- 10 practical guides
- Photos from our own jobs
- Free inspection and quote
Where to start
Start with what you can see.
Pick the sign or question closest to yours. Each guide explains the likely causes, the repair options and what to ask before the work.
- Sandy mortar or flaking brick facesCrumbling bricks or mortar: what needs repairing?
- Faded tuck lines or worn jointsTuckpointing vs repointing: which does your wall need?
- Cracks above a window or doorCracks above windows and doors: could the lintel be the cause?
- A new or growing crack in the wallCracks in brick walls: when to worry and how they’re repaired
- A crack running through the brickworkWhen does crack stitching work—and when won’t it?
- White powder that keeps coming backWhite powder on brickwork: why does it keep coming back?
- Worried a repair will stand outCan new bricks and mortar match an old wall?
- Patchy or mismatched brick colourBrick staining vs painting: which suits your wall?
- An older home in a heritage areaDo brickwork repairs on a heritage home need approval?
- Working out what the job might costHow much does tuckpointing and repointing cost in Sydney?
The library
Every guide, in one place.
Written by Astute Tuckpointing from the work we do. Not sure what your wall needs? Describe it in the enquiry form and we will tell you.
Compare our nine services
Choosing a service
Tuckpointing vs repointing: which does your wall need?
Understand the difference between repairing mortar joints and restoring decorative tuck lines, with drawings and a real Sydney project.
Planning a quote
How much does tuckpointing and repointing cost in Sydney?
Sydney tuckpointing typically costs $100–$180 per m² and repointing $60–$100 per m² in cement mortar ($80–$130 per m² in lime), GST included.
Heritage checks
Do brickwork repairs on a heritage home need approval?
Check local heritage controls, conservation areas and State Heritage Register requirements before repairing or changing older brickwork.
Understanding damage
Crumbling bricks or mortar: what needs repairing?
Learn the difference between damaged brick faces and deteriorated mortar joints, when repointing helps and when brick repairs need consideration.
Matching the finish
Can new bricks and mortar match an old wall?
What makes a brickwork repair blend in: brick size, texture, colour, mortar and joint profile. Understand samples, staining and the limits of matching.
Cracks and openings
Cracks above windows and doors: could the lintel be the cause?
Understand possible lintel problems, other causes of cracking around openings, repair considerations and when the wall needs professional assessment.
Stains and moisture
White powder on brickwork: why does it keep coming back?
Why white salt deposits can return after cleaning, how moisture is involved and what to check before treating stained or deteriorating brickwork.
Colour and finishes
Brick staining vs painting: which suits your wall?
Compare brick staining and painting, colour-matching possibilities, surface preparation and the value of a sample before changing your brickwork.
Understanding damage
Cracks in brick walls: when to worry and how they’re repaired
What a crack’s path, width and growth tell you, the common causes of cracked brickwork and which repair suits which crack, from repointing to crack stitching.
Repair options
When does crack stitching work—and when won’t it?
How concealed reinforcement differs from filling a crack, why the cause of movement matters and when masonry needs a different repair approach.
Free inspection & quote
Let’s look at your brickwork.
Tell us what you’ve noticed and where the property is. We’ll arrange a free inspection and quote. Photos help, but they’re optional.
0402 133 821Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm · Saturday, 9am to 3pm · Sunday closedastutetp@gmail.comSending photos? A whole-wall photo and a close-up help most.