Repointing

Repointing is the process of removing old damaged mortar joints (the pointing) and replacing.

Weather, decay and sometimes insects can cause damage to occur in the joints allowing water to enter the joints. This results in dampness on the inside of the property and in some extreme cases bricks can start to fall out.

Repointing is one of the most effective and permanent ways to decrease water entry into the brick wall - this is the same for any masonry.

New and clean mortar joints, done properly, will improve your home's appearance and add value.

When and why should you repoint?

The lifespan of bricks can exceed 100 years but the mortar joint generally lasts around 25 years. You can tell if your mortar needs replacing when you notice mortar is missing in sections. You can do a quick test by running a metal object (e.g. key or screw driver) along the mortar joint and see if any sand falls out. If it does then your house may need repointing.

When mortar is in a weak condition, it causes moisture to enter the masonry wall and possibly causes moisture problems behind it such as dampness in the home.

The process of repointing:

We rake out the joints using specialised tools designed specifically for this purpose.
We then replace the mortar. To ensure the longevity of the new mortar a mix of sand, cement and lime is used. The use of lime helps to accommodate slight movements in the wall to reduce cracking.
Replacement of the mortar is done in layers to minimise shrinkage.
Then we tool the surface to whichever joint type you choose.
Once the mortar has had sufficient time to dry (approx 1-2 days) we then wash the walls down to remove any excess mortar and clean off the bricks.

The appearance of your property can be greatly enhanced by the type of joint and mortar colour you choose - so please consider which colour and which mortar joint you would prefer.