Why is tuckpointing called tuckpointing?

Answer 1

Introduction

The terms pointing, repointing and tuckpointing are often used interchangeably, which has led to confusion within the masonry industry. For years, the Brick Institute of America has discussed what we termed "tuck-pointing" methods in Technical Notes 7F as one form of maintenance of brick masonry. However, the meaning of tuckpointing in one area of the country may be slightly different from that in another area, leading to conflicts regarding job specifications and expected repairs. Consequently, the following definitions of these terms have been developed. They are similar to those being prepared within ASTM Subcommittee E 06.24. The Brick Institute of America encourages the use of these definitions.



* Point - to place plastic mortar into joints to correct defects or to completely fill joints in newly laid masonry.
* Repoint - to place plastic mortar into cut or raked joints to correct defective mortar joints in masonry.
* Tuckpoint - (1) to point masonry with a flush mortar joint that approximates the color of the masonry units and a mortar of contrasting color that is shaped into a thin strip. (2) see repoint.

Answer 2

Brittanica says:

"in building construction, technique of finishing masonry joints with a fine, pointed ridge of mortar, for decorative purposes, instead of the usual slightly convex finish in ordinary masonwork. The term is sometimes used for pointing (q.v.) as in masonry repair."

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9073683/tuckpointing