How to Repoint Brickwork

Repointing brickwork is an essential maintenance task that restores the structural integrity and appearance of brick walls. Understanding the proper techniques, materials, and timing for repointing will help you maintain your brick walls effectively and prevent more serious structural problems.

This comprehensive guide covers brickwork repointing from assessment and preparation through execution and maintenance, ensuring you have the knowledge to repoint brickwork properly and maintain your walls' long-term performance.

Understanding Repointing

What is Repointing?

Repointing is the process of removing deteriorated mortar from brick joints and replacing it with new mortar. It's a crucial maintenance task that:

• Restores structural integrity: Maintains the wall's structural strength
• Prevents water infiltration: Seals joints against water penetration
• Improves appearance: Restores the wall's visual appeal
• Extends wall life: Prevents further deterioration

Why Repointing is Necessary

Mortar deterioration:

• Weathering: Natural weathering over time
• Freeze-thaw cycles: Damage from freeze-thaw cycles
• Moisture: Damage from moisture and water
• Age: Natural aging and deterioration

Consequences of deteriorated mortar:

• Water infiltration: Water can enter the wall
• Structural weakening: Wall can become structurally weak
• Further damage: Can lead to more serious damage
• Aesthetic deterioration: Poor appearance

When to Repoint

Signs that repointing is needed:

• Loose mortar: Mortar that is loose or crumbling
• Missing mortar: Mortar that has fallen out
• Cracked mortar: Mortar that is cracked
• Discolored mortar: Mortar that is discolored or stained

Timing considerations:

• Weather: Best done in mild, dry weather
• Season: Spring or fall are ideal seasons
• Urgency: Address urgent issues promptly
• Planning: Plan for adequate time and resources

Types of Mortar

Traditional Mortar

Lime mortar:

• Material: Lime-based mortar
• Properties: Flexible, breathable, traditional
• Use: Historic buildings, traditional construction
• Benefits: Good for historic buildings, breathable

Cement-lime mortar:

• Material: Cement and lime mixture
• Properties: Good strength, moderate flexibility
• Use: General construction
• Benefits: Good balance of strength and flexibility

Modern Mortar

Portland cement mortar:

• Material: Portland cement-based mortar
• Properties: High strength, rigid
• Use: Modern construction
• Benefits: High strength, durable

Polymer-modified mortar:

• Material: Mortar with polymer additives
• Properties: Enhanced properties, flexibility
• Use: Specialized applications
• Benefits: Enhanced performance, flexibility

Mortar Selection

Factors to consider:

• Building age: Consider the age of the building
• Existing mortar: Match existing mortar type
• Climate: Consider local climate conditions
• Performance requirements: Consider performance requirements

Matching existing mortar:

• Color: Match existing mortar color
• Texture: Match existing mortar texture
• Strength: Match existing mortar strength
• Compatibility: Ensure compatibility with existing materials

Preparation for Repointing

Assessment

Wall assessment:

• Overall condition: Assess overall wall condition
• Mortar condition: Assess mortar condition
• Brick condition: Assess brick condition
• Structural integrity: Assess structural integrity

Scope of work:

• Area to be repointed: Determine area to be repointed
• Depth of removal: Determine depth of mortar removal
• Materials needed: Determine materials needed
• Time required: Estimate time required

Safety Preparation

Safety equipment:

• Safety glasses: Protect eyes from debris
• Dust mask: Protect from dust and particles
• Work gloves: Protect hands
• Appropriate clothing: Wear appropriate clothing

Work area preparation:

• Clear area: Clear work area of obstacles
• Protect surroundings: Protect surrounding areas
• Access: Ensure safe access
• Weather protection: Consider weather protection

Tool Preparation

Required tools:

• Pointing trowel: For applying mortar
• Joint raker: For removing old mortar
• Chisel: For removing stubborn mortar
• Hammer: For chiseling
• Brush: For cleaning
• Bucket: For mixing mortar
• Mixing tools: For mixing mortar

Tool maintenance:

• Clean tools: Keep tools clean
• Sharp tools: Keep tools sharp
• Quality tools: Use quality tools
• Proper storage: Store tools properly

Repointing Process

Step 1: Remove Old Mortar

Removal techniques:

• Joint raker: Use joint raker for most removal
• Chisel and hammer: Use for stubborn mortar
• Power tools: Use power tools carefully
• Hand tools: Use hand tools for precision

Removal depth:

• Minimum depth: Remove to minimum depth
• Consistent depth: Maintain consistent depth
• Avoid damage: Avoid damaging bricks
• Clean removal: Ensure clean removal

Safety during removal:

• Eye protection: Wear eye protection
• Dust control: Control dust
• Debris management: Manage debris properly
• Tool safety: Use tools safely

Step 2: Clean Joints

Cleaning process:

• Remove debris: Remove all debris
• Clean edges: Clean joint edges
• Remove loose material: Remove loose material
• Final cleaning: Final cleaning

Cleaning tools:

• Brush: Use brush for cleaning
• Compressed air: Use compressed air carefully
• Water: Use water sparingly
• Vacuum: Use vacuum for debris

Step 3: Prepare Mortar

Mixing mortar:

• Follow instructions: Follow manufacturer's instructions
• Consistent mix: Ensure consistent mix
• Proper consistency: Achieve proper consistency
• Quality control: Maintain quality control

Mortar consistency:

• Workable: Should be workable
• Not too wet: Should not be too wet
• Not too dry: Should not be too dry
• Consistent: Should be consistent

Step 4: Apply New Mortar

Application techniques:

• Fill joints: Fill joints completely
• Pack tightly: Pack mortar tightly
• Smooth surface: Smooth the surface
• Remove excess: Remove excess mortar

Joint finishing:

• Match existing: Match existing joint finish
• Consistent finish: Maintain consistent finish
• Proper profile: Maintain proper joint profile
• Quality finish: Ensure quality finish

Step 5: Clean and Finish

Cleaning process:

• Remove excess: Remove excess mortar
• Clean bricks: Clean bricks
• Final cleaning: Final cleaning
• Inspection: Inspect work

Finishing touches:

• Joint finishing: Finish joints properly
• Surface cleaning: Clean surface
• Final inspection: Final inspection
• Quality control: Quality control

Joint Profiles

Types of Joint Profiles

Concave joint:

• Appearance: Curved inward
• Benefits: Good water shedding
• Use: Common in modern construction
• Application: Use jointing tool

V-joint:

• Appearance: V-shaped
• Benefits: Good water shedding
• Use: Common in traditional construction
• Application: Use V-joint tool

Flush joint:

• Appearance: Flat with brick surface
• Benefits: Clean appearance
• Use: Modern construction
• Application: Use trowel

Raked joint:

• Appearance: Recessed
• Benefits: Emphasizes brick pattern
• Use: Decorative applications
• Application: Use raking tool

Choosing Joint Profile

Factors to consider:

• Existing profile: Match existing profile
• Building style: Consider building style
• Climate: Consider climate conditions
• Maintenance: Consider maintenance requirements

Profile selection:

• Historic buildings: Match historic profile
• Modern buildings: Choose appropriate modern profile
• Climate considerations: Consider climate
• Maintenance considerations: Consider maintenance

Quality Control

Inspection

Visual inspection:

• Overall appearance: Check overall appearance
• Joint consistency: Check joint consistency
• Color matching: Check color matching
• Surface finish: Check surface finish

Quality checks:

• Joint depth: Check joint depth
• Mortar quality: Check mortar quality
• Adhesion: Check adhesion
• Durability: Check durability

Testing

Adhesion testing:

• Pull test: Test mortar adhesion
• Tap test: Tap to check for hollow spots
• Visual inspection: Inspect for gaps
• Overall assessment: Overall assessment

Durability testing:

• Weather resistance: Test weather resistance
• Freeze-thaw resistance: Test freeze-thaw resistance
• Moisture resistance: Test moisture resistance
• Overall durability: Test overall durability

Maintenance and Care

Immediate Care

Curing:

• Proper curing: Allow proper curing
• Moisture control: Control moisture during curing
• Temperature control: Control temperature during curing
• Protection: Protect from weather

Initial maintenance:

• Regular inspection: Inspect regularly
• Minor repairs: Make minor repairs promptly
• Cleaning: Clean as needed
• Protection: Protect from damage

Long-term Maintenance

Regular inspection:

• Frequency: Inspect regularly
• Documentation: Document findings
• Action: Take action as needed
• Professional consultation: Consult professionals when needed

Maintenance tasks:

• Cleaning: Regular cleaning
• Minor repairs: Prompt minor repairs
• Sealing: Seal if needed
• Monitoring: Monitor for changes

Common Problems and Solutions

Common Problems

Mortar failure:

• Poor adhesion: Mortar not adhering properly
• Cracking: Mortar cracking
• Discoloration: Mortar discoloration
• Deterioration: Premature deterioration

Application problems:

• Inconsistent joints: Inconsistent joint appearance
• Poor finish: Poor joint finish
• Excess mortar: Excess mortar on bricks
• Incomplete filling: Incomplete joint filling

Solutions

Problem prevention:

• Proper preparation: Ensure proper preparation
• Quality materials: Use quality materials
• Proper techniques: Use proper techniques
• Quality control: Implement quality control

Problem correction:

• Identify cause: Identify the cause
• Correct problem: Correct the problem
• Prevent recurrence: Prevent recurrence
• Monitor results: Monitor results

The Bottom Line

Repointing brickwork is a critical maintenance task that requires proper techniques, quality materials, and attention to detail. By understanding the repointing process and following proper procedures, you can maintain your brick walls effectively and prevent more serious structural problems.

Remember: Repointing is an investment in the long-term performance of your brick walls. Take time to do it right, use quality materials, and follow proper procedures to ensure your walls perform well and maintain their appearance over time.

The key to successful repointing is:

• Assess the condition of your brickwork and determine the scope of work
• Choose appropriate materials that match your existing mortar
• Follow proper techniques for removal and application
• Maintain quality control throughout the process
• Implement ongoing maintenance to prevent future problems

Start with a thorough assessment of your brickwork, then plan and execute the repointing work carefully. For complex or historic buildings, consider consulting qualified professionals to ensure proper techniques and materials.

Ready to continue maintaining your brick walls? Learn about How to Render a Brick Wall and discover How to Install Gyprock (Drywall) Like a Pro to complete your wall maintenance knowledge.