Can Repointing Help With Damp?

Damp has many causes, and repointing is not a cure-all. But failed mortar joints are a genuine route for water to get into a wall, so in the right circumstances repointing does help.

How failed joints let water in

Open, cracked or eroded joints hold water and let it soak into the wall rather than running off. On exposed elevations this can show up as damp inside.

When repointing is part of the answer

If the damp lines up with visibly failed pointing on an exposed wall or chimney, sound repointing with a suitable mortar can make a real difference.

When it is not the whole story

Damp can also come from guttering, ground levels, condensation and other sources. It is worth checking these too, so you are not repointing a wall when the real problem is a blocked downpipe.

The breathability point

On older buildings, using a breathable mortar helps the wall manage moisture rather than trapping it, which is part of keeping the building healthy.