Brick Repointing
Repointing is the repair of the mortar joints between your bricks. When the mortar starts to crumble, crack or fall out, the wall needs repointing to keep the weather out and the brickwork sound.
Most houses need repointing at some stage. Mortar is designed to weather in preference to the bricks, so over time it wears back, cracks and loses its grip. On an ordinary family home this is completely normal and usually straightforward to put right.
Common signs are mortar that falls out when you touch it, joints that have eroded back behind the face of the brick, cracks running through the pointing, open gaps, and damp appearing inside where water is getting through failed joints. Weather-beaten elevations that face the prevailing wind and rain often go first.
Repointing is not just cosmetic. Open and failed joints let water sit in the wall, and in winter that water freezes, expands and can start to break up the mortar and the brick faces. Dealing with it at the right time is far cheaper than leaving it until bricks themselves are damaged.
We start by looking at what is actually there. We check the condition of the existing mortar and the bricks, work out why the joints have failed, and decide on a mortar that suits your wall rather than a one-size-fits-all mix. The material and strength must suit the brick and the way the wall was built.
Our Process
Assessment
We look at the wall, check the mortar and bricks, and work out why the joints have failed.
Raking out
Failed mortar is raked out to a suitable depth, taking care not to damage the edges of the bricks.
Preparation
Joints are brushed out and dampened down so the new mortar bonds properly and is not dried out too quickly.
Mortar selection
We select or mix a mortar to suit the wall in strength, colour and aggregate rather than relying on a standard bagged mix.
Filling
The mortar is worked firmly into the joints in layers so there are no voids behind the face.
Finishing and curing
Joints are finished to match the existing profile and protected while they cure so they harden properly.
Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
Look for mortar that is crumbling or powdery, joints that have worn back behind the brick face, cracks through the pointing, open gaps, or damp appearing inside. If mortar comes away easily when you rub it, it is usually due for attention.
Not always. Often one or two exposed elevations have failed while others are still sound. We will tell you honestly what needs doing now and what can wait, so you are not paying for work that is not required.
We match the new mortar to the existing in colour, texture and finish as closely as we can, so repaired areas blend in rather than standing out as obvious patches.
Good repointing with a suitable mortar, properly prepared and finished, should last for decades. The main factors are the quality of the work, the mortar used and how exposed the wall is.
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Other Services
Planning repointing work?
Request a repointing survey and written quotation for your property.