Frequently Asked Questions

Repointing is the process of removing old, worn or damaged mortar from the joints between bricks or stone and replacing it with fresh mortar. The mortar joints are what keep water out and hold the wall together, so when they break down the whole wall becomes vulnerable. Good repointing renews those joints using a mortar that suits the building, protecting the brickwork and improving how the wall looks.

Common signs are mortar that is crumbling, cracked or falling out of the joints, gaps you can see or push a key into, loose or hollow-sounding pointing, and damp appearing on inside walls. If you can rake out mortar easily with a finger or screwdriver, or you can see daylight or open joints, it is worth having the brickwork looked at. We are happy to take a look and tell you honestly whether work is needed.

Pointing crumbles for a few reasons: it has simply worn out with age and weathering, it was mixed too weak or applied poorly, or the wrong mortar was used for the building. Frost is a common cause, as water gets into failing joints, freezes and pushes the mortar apart. On older buildings, a previous repair in hard cement can also trap moisture and cause the surrounding mortar and brick to break down.

As a general guide, old mortar is usually raked out to a depth of around twice the height of the joint, so that the new mortar has enough to grip onto and can form a durable joint. Simply smearing fresh mortar over the surface of failing joints does not last. The joints are cleaned out carefully to avoid damaging the edges of the bricks before the new mortar is worked in.

Cement mortar is hard, rigid and largely waterproof. Lime mortar is softer, more flexible and allows moisture to pass through and evaporate. On modern buildings designed to stay dry inside their walls, cement-based mortar is usually appropriate. On older, solid-wall buildings that were built to let moisture move in and out, lime mortar is generally the right choice because it works with the way the building handles water.

It can. On an older solid-wall building, hard cement pointing can trap moisture in the wall. Because the cement is harder than the surrounding brick, the moisture is forced to escape through the brick faces instead of the joints. In frost, this can cause the brick faces to crack and flake away (spalling). This is why the mortar needs to suit the building rather than just being the strongest available.

In most cases, yes. Older buildings with solid walls were generally built with lime mortar and rely on being able to breathe. Repointing them in a suitable lime mortar allows the wall to keep managing moisture as intended. The correct specification depends on the individual building, its exposure and the existing materials, which is something we assess on site rather than assuming a single answer for every property.

Many Victorian houses were built with lime mortar and solid walls, in which case a lime mortar matched to the original is usually the right approach. Some later or altered properties are different, so it is not safe to assume. The sensible step is to look at the actual brickwork and existing mortar and choose the mortar that suits that specific house, which is exactly what we do before quoting.

No. We repoint all kinds of homes, from ordinary Victorian, 1930s and post-war houses through to more modern properties, as well as period and listed buildings. The difference is the mortar and method we use, which we match to the age and construction of your house. The right mortar for the building is the principle we work to in every case.

Yes. Cracked, gapping or crumbling pointing is just as common on ordinary houses as on older ones, and it lets water in the same way. We repoint standard brick-built homes using a suitable mortar for that type of construction, tidying up the joints and protecting the brickwork. You do not need a period or listed property to use us.

Yes, matching is an important part of the work. We aim to match the colour and the joint finish so that repaired areas blend in with the existing brickwork rather than standing out. Colour comes from the sand and materials used, and the finish comes from the joint profile, both of which we match as closely as we can to what is already there.

Straightforward like-for-like repointing using matching materials generally does not require planning permission. However, for a listed building, work that could affect its character or appearance may need Listed Building Consent, and properties in conservation areas can have additional considerations. If you are unsure, it is worth checking with your local planning authority, and we can talk this through with you during a survey.

Yes. We work on older and period properties and understand that they need traditional materials and careful methods rather than modern shortcuts. For listed buildings, the specification and approach need to suit the building and any consents that apply, which we discuss with you before starting.

Costs vary depending on the size and height of the area, whether access equipment or scaffolding is needed, the condition of the existing joints, the type of mortar required and any additional repairs. Because of this, we do not quote a flat price. We provide a clear written quotation after looking at the work, so you know what is included before deciding to go ahead.

It depends on the size and complexity of the job. A single elevation on a house may take a matter of days, while larger or more detailed properties take longer. Lime mortar in particular needs the right conditions and careful aftercare while it sets, which we take into account when planning the work and give you realistic timescales in the quotation.

We are a service-area business covering roughly a 25 mile radius around Tenterden in Kent, extending into parts of East Sussex. This includes towns and villages such as Tenterden, Cranbrook, Hawkhurst, Ashford, Rye and the surrounding area. If you are nearby and not sure whether you are in range, just ask.

Yes. We provide written quotations for repointing work. You can contact us by phone or through the enquiry form on this website. Sending a few photos of the brickwork when you first get in touch helps us understand the job before we visit.