To cut away excess mortar extruded from a freshly laid joint and tool the remaining mud into a specific profile. Masons strike joints using a trowel or a specialized jointer tool to compress the mortar, seal the wall against water intrusion, and create a clean, uniform shadow line.
Heard on the job
Don't let that mud set up too hard before you strike the joints, or you'll burn through your jointer trying to slick it.
Insider tip
Striking a joint too early smears the cement paste across the brick face; waiting until it is thumbprint hard gives the cleanest finish.
Also heard as
- strike off