Brick Pointing is the procedure of replacing the substance between each brick called mortar.When the mortarstarts tocrack, loosen, or corrode over time, the strong bond that holds them together weakens. When the mortar starts to crumbleits attachment to the brick becomes weak,losing its support strength. Cracks in the mortar caused over a period of time by weathering and decay, and the constant freezing and thawing can cause long-term damage to your property.
Water can enter the cavities in the damaged mortar and subsequently cause damp problems. If you notice cracked mortar joints or crumbling mortar beds, then it may be time to consider repointing.
Is Brick Pointing necessary?
Brick pointing is required to restore the structural integrity of the bricks. If the mortar between the bricks becomes damaged or corroded, the structural strength of the wall is in jeopardy. The most effective way of restoring the condition and the appearance of a building is brick pointing. There are many advantages of brick pointing, most of which are fundamental to maintain the buildings structural integrity. Repointing your brickwork provides further weather proofing to your walls. It renovates the brickwork giving the building a neatened, fresh finish and reduces future maintenance. Not to mention the possible increased value of the property.
What’s involved in the Brick Pointing Process?
The brick pointing process involves removing the damaged mortar, and replacing it with fresh mortar. It is important to rake out all the old mortar, deep into the gaps surrounding the brick and replacing with new. Always use the same type mortar for repointing as was used for the original build. If the exact materials are difficult to find, the new mortar can be colour matched to the existing work so that there is no difference between the old and the new. We then texture its surface so it blends in with the existing shadowing creating a seamless appearance.
It possible that a number of bricks will need to be replaced or repaired, which is part and parcel of the brick restoration process. Pointing by Tony Wallace will only replace bricks with similar bricks, in size, strength and colour for a continuous finish.
We understand the range of styles of pointing from original mortar to classic lime based mortar strap/block pointing and also contemporary mastic and coloured tinted pointing. It is important that we are knowledgeable on the traditional methods and applications for our historic building and modern methods for the vast range of new build properties going up on a daily basis.
How can I assess if Brick Pointing is required?
We recommend that property owners visually assess their brickwork at least once a year. There are some obvious indicators that show your property needs attention:
Interior and exterior damp patches
Peeling wallpaper, blistered paint and watermark stains on internal walls
Eroded mortar joints and/or damaged bricks
Peeling external paint (if brick are painted), where water seeps in behind the paint
If you notice any of the above warning signs, it is likely due to your external walls requiring maintenance.
Discuss your options with your restoration specialist so that you understand what options are available to you. Building repointing, when done well, can give your structure a new lease of life and increase its value to impressive levels. You just need to hire the right people for the job and Pointing by Tony Wallace is a good place to start.
Contact Pointing by Tony Wallace if you require brick pointing services for your next project. We are happy to provide no-obligation quotations and advice to ensure the job runs as smoothly as possible and in a timely manner. We recommend that our potential clients view one of our previous projects to judge and assess our work for themselves.