Repointing is one of the few tasks that discreetly safeguards a home’s long-term health. Bricks aren’t just there to hold a pattern together; mortar has many other uses as well. It stabilises the wall, lets moisture escape, and sheds precipitation. It becomes problematic when it deteriorates, so it’s important to understand what a professional repointing project entails so you can make an informed decision, ask the correct questions, and prevent surprises.
The reasons why repointing is required
The purpose of mortar is to serve as the wall’s sacrificial component. Because of its relative pliability, it is subject to more gradual weathering and wears down more quickly than the surrounding bricks. Crushing, receding, or cracking of mortar joints is common after a few decades. At the base of the wall, you might find debris, deeply receding joints, or tiny spaces that a key could fit into the brickwork.
These flaws allow water to seep through the wall if left unchecked. The result can be moist areas on the inside of the walls, bricks damaged by frost, and, in the worst-case scenario, structural displacement. The process of repointing involves removing the old, crumbling mortar and replacing it with new, weatherproof material. Even though it’s more of a maintenance job than a rebuild, doing it well requires expertise and persistence.
The first estimate and survey
Site visits are the norm when dealing with brickwork specialists. An honest expert will take a stroll around the property, looking for signs of spalling, cracks, or loose bricks as well as damaged joints. They can test the mortar’s softness or powderiness by pressing a screwdriver or comparable item into it. Because leaky rainwater goods are a common source of premature masonry failure, they will also take a check at the whole picture, which includes the gutters, downpipes, roof overhangs, and ground levels.
Anticipate a deluge of enquiries. Enquiries about the property’s age, prior pointing of walls, and presence of dampness inside the home are all possibilities. After the site visit, you should get a written estimate that details the job’s scope, the mortar’s suggested kind, access arrangements, expected timeline, and payment conditions. Use cautious when dealing with estimates that are imprecise or provided solely verbally. Safeguard yourself and the contractor with a transparent contract.
You have every right to enquire about the specialist’s level of expertise in repointing and to see examples of their work on properties similar to yours. Compared to newer brick houses, older residences in particular have unique needs.
Picking the Correct Mortar
An actual expert makes their money here. It is preferred to use mortar that is compatible with the original mortar when repointing bricks, although it is not always possible. The lime-based mortar was commonly used to build houses prior to the early 1900s because it is pliable, breathable, and has a soft texture. When applied to these walls, a hard, cement-heavy mixture can retain water, which will be forced out of the bricks rather than the joints, leading to flaking and crumbling of the brick faces.
When evaluating the composition of existing mortar, a skilled contractor will frequently collect a small sample. A short test panel may be created for your approval after they take into account the sand type, binder, and colour. Because dry and weathered mortar can take on a very distinct appearance, it is crucial to match the tint. Before the major work starts, it is common practice to ask for your signature on a sample patch. Good practice is shown by it.
This is especially true for newer homes, as the bricks and mortar used to construct them tend to be harder. The new mortar must never be more durable than the bricks; this is the fundamental idea. A competent tradesperson will use simple language to express their rationale.
Get ready and have access
A discussion regarding access is likely to take place before any work begins. The most significant logistical aspect of the job is typically the need for scaffolding or a tower to reach higher walls. Find out from your contractor who will be in charge of scheduling it, how long it will be up, and whether it will have any impact on nearby windows, doors, or properties. You should probably consult your neighbour before erecting scaffolding if it will be crossing their property line.
Everything that is close to the walls, including plants, vehicles, and outdoor furniture, will also need to be moved. Closing windows on workdays is a smart move because dust and debris will inevitably fly around. Good specialists will cover sensitive planting with protective sheeting and keep the work area tidy, but if you plan beforehand, everything will go more smoothly.
The actual repointing procedure
After the site is prepared, there is a logical order to the tasks. The first step is to remove the old mortar from the joints by raking it out to a depth of approximately twenty-five millimetres, which is twice the breadth of the joint. Chisels and plugging tools are useful for this task, but properly controlled power tools can be used for harder mortar. Because a widening joint or chipped arris is permanent and detracts from the finished wall’s appearance, skilled operatives take great care not to damage the brick edges.
Following the raking, the joints are buffed dry and slightly moistened. This is a crucial stage because the bond will be weaker if dry bricks draw water out of wet mortar too rapidly. After that, the new mortar is layered and squeezed into the joints until it sets. The filling of deep joints is done in phases to avoid shrinking and space gaps.
At last, the joint is completed according to the selected profile. The appropriate choice will depend on the building’s age and style, but common options include flush, weathered, struck, and bucket-handle types. Recessed joints are prone to frost and water trapping, while weathered and hit joints are good at shedding water. When the mortar has hardened, the final step is to sweep it back, creating a smooth, unpolished surface.
Disruption, chaos, and disturbance
No respectable contractor worth their salt would lie to you and claim that repointing is a quiet, pristine process. Fine particles may land on windowsills and cars, and raking produces dust and an annoying tapping or grinding sound. Some disturbance is inevitable, but professionals will employ dust extraction when necessary and clean up every day.
Notify the team during the quotation stage whether you have small children, pets, or work from home so they can accommodate your needs. It could be feasible to designate specific times of day for the noisiest activities.
Durations and climate
How long it takes is proportional to the wall’s dimensions, the state of the joints, and the workforce’s productivity. It could take a few days for a small area and several weeks for an entire house. If someone promises an unbelievable quick end, run the other way. Because each step needs sufficient time to set, proper repointing cannot be hurried.
The weather is a major factor. You should keep new mortar out of direct sunlight, heavy rain, and, most importantly, frost. Lime mortars in particular require mild curing conditions, and most experts avoid working in near-freezing temperatures. Instead of being alarming, delays brought on by reasonable weather judgements are encouraging. In the end, contractors that don’t care generally end up with subpar results.
Care after and final inspections
Make sure you and your contractor go wall-to-wall once the task is finished. Examine the joints from various perspectives and lighting conditions to ensure uniform colouration, clean edges, and tightly packed mortar free of brick streaks and gaps. It is far easier to bring up issues while the crew is still on site, even though little surface blemishes can typically be brushed away.
Be sure to enquire about the aftercare that will be provided. Light misting may be necessary to let fresh mortar to cure slowly in warm weather. It is recommended to refrain from pressure washing or severe cleaning of the walls for a period afterward. As the mortar dries, you could see some tiny colour fluctuations in the first few weeks. Don’t worry, that’s very normal. If there is a real problem, a reliable contractor will return and explain everything in advance.
Realising how much
Access, area to be repointed, kind of mortar, and wall condition are the variables that determine the price. In general, cement-based work is less labour-intensive than lime repointing, and older structures with elaborate brickwork cost more than those with basic, flat elevations. A considerable amount of the total is frequently attributed to scaffolding. Remember that the cheapest option is rarely the best, but getting at least two or three documented quotations allows you to compare like with like. Poor work must be redone, and careless repointing might do more harm than good.
Concluding remarks
A cooperative and open process should characterise the hiring of brickwork experts for repointing. Throughout the process, you should be provided with a comprehensive survey, an itemised written quotation, an explanation of the mortar and its application, and reasonable communication. Try to find another contractor if the one you’re talking about can’t or won’t explain their mix selection process.
When properly executed, repointing restores your walls’ resilience to weather, shields the bricks, enhances the curb appeal of your property, and has the potential to endure for decades. Take the time to locate competent workers, think of it as an investment in your property’s structure, and you’ll enjoy the payoff long after the scaffolding is removed.