A Comprehensive Guide to Repointing for Homeowners

Owning an authentic brick property is a lifelong dream for many homeowners, where this classic architectural feature can enhance any exterior, drawing out traditional features and conveying a sense of respectability. Red brick in particular suggests elegance and classical style, whilst brick installations of all kinds can be used to create elaborate patterns and eye-catching focal points.

Importantly though, brickwork needs to be well-maintained to ensure that it is looking its best. Over time, adverse weather conditions and general neglect can cause a brick exterior to deteriorate, harming the aesthetic appeal of the property.

As a homeowner, it is essential to maintain a high standard of curb appeal, where this means visitors to the property get a great first impression when they see your exterior. Any signs of worn brickwork could seriously impact this, detracting from the overall feel of the building.

That’s where repointing comes in. This process allows for brick masonry to be retouched, restoring it to its former glory. The work can be carried out by a professional team, helping to protect the house and revamp its appearance for the long term.

Read on to find out more about brick repointing, with a look at the process involved and how your property could benefit.

What Is Repointing?

Brick repointing refers to the process of repairing and renewing external mortar joins across an area of brickwork. The joints are the spaces between the bricks that are filled with a mortar mix, where this sets to create a classic brickwork pattern.

This mortar can deteriorate over time, compromising the integrity and appearance of the wall in question. As such, repointing is essential to ensure that the wall remains safe and stable.

Typically, mortar mixes are made up of cement, water and builder’s sand, with added lime or plasticisers. When a brick wall is repointed, your new mortar will be mixed to match and complement the existing structure.

The Repointing Process

Although every repointing job will vary depending on the scale of the project, the process involved typically remains the same. Brick masons and repointing specialists learn this skill through years of practical training, meaning they will be adept to repair your wall to a high standard, no matter the size of the job.

Typically, the repointing process will involve the following steps:

Preparation - Your building team will assess your brickwork thoroughly before any repointing is carried out, where the extent of the damage will be assessed. The team will also consider the aesthetic quality and function of your wall to ascertain the best way forward.

Mortar Removal - Before any new mortar can be applied, the old mixture will need to be removed. This is carefully chiselled out without causing damage to the surrounding brickwork.

Cleaning - Once the old material has been cleared out, the brickwork surface will need to be cleaned thoroughly to remove any remaining dust or debris. This special attention will help to ensure that the new mortar mix goes on as smoothly as possible.

Mixing The Mortar - Next, the mortar mix will be prepared, with the correct consistency and colour to match the existing infrastructure. Usually, the right ingredients will have been ordered during the preparation stage to ensure that everything is available to create the right mortar quality.

Application - Once everything is prepared, the new mortar mix will be carefully applied to the joints in the brickwork. This should be packed in firmly to prevent any air pockets from forming in the gaps.

Finishing Touches - Finally, the mortar will be given either a smooth or textured finish to match the existing wall, where the brick faces will be cleaned of any excess mortar.

Signs Your Property Needs Repointing

Though the repointing process is relatively straightforward, it can be difficult to decide when it’s time to pay this particular attention to your brickwork. Home exteriors will naturally accumulate dirt and lose their shine over time, but there is a difference between this and genuine mortar deterioration.

Importantly, you should inspect your brickwork on a regular basis so you can spot early signs of wear and tear, as this kind of early intervention can help to prevent more costly issues further down the line.

Some key signs that your brick wall may need repointing include:

Crumbling Mortar

You should pay attention to the specific texture and quality of your mortar joints. If the mortar has become noticeably powdery and it starts to crumble away at your touch, then this could indicate that some repointing work is required.

Water Penetration

Additionally, water penetration is another key sign that your mortar needs some attention. Rainwater can start to work its way through the brick, where this can cause increased damp inside your home.

Loose Bricks

Sometimes, seriously damaged mortar joints can cause bricks to come loose from your wall. Any movement from your bricks should be taken as a serious warning sign, as this could become a significant safety hazard over time.

Gaps & Holes

Another indication that you need to repoint your brickwork is if there are noticeable gaps between bricks or visible holes in your mortar. For instance, it is possible that your mortar may recede, leaving empty gaps in the wall. If this receding reaches anything up to 5 or 10mm, then you should think about calling in the repointing experts.

The Benefits of Repointing

There are many reasons why you may wish to consider repointing your brickwork, in addition to addressing immediate safety concerns. Some of the advantages to be gained include:

• Stronger brickwork - new mortar joints will help to improve the structural integrity of your wall, making sure that it is more durable and weather resistant.

• Waterproofing - once any gaps or holes are sealed up, your brickwork will be able to better withstand rainfall, helping to reduce damp inside your home.

• Energy efficiency - brick repointing can also help with your home’s energy efficiency levels, as a fresh layer of mortar will help to reduce heat loss through your exterior walls.

• Aesthetic appeal - a key benefit of completing this kind of repointing work is that it will improve the appearance of your home, giving your brickwork a new lease of life.

• Property value - buyers are always looking for properties with strong curb appeal, where attractive brickwork and freshly repointed mortar can help to boost the value of your home.

PointUK: Expert Masonry Repointing For Your Home

At PointUK, we understand what it means to take pride in your home. That’s why our expert team of brickwork specialists are on-hand to provide premium repointing services, keeping your brick exterior looking its best for the long term.

We’re a leading repointing provider with more than fifty years of experience in the industry. As such, you can trust our masonry team to complete your project to the highest standards, no matter the scale or intricacies involved.

Our expert services include brick repointing, chimney repointing and additional lime mortar repointing services. In particular, lime mortar is used across a range of traditional and heritage buildings, where our team is able to preserve sites of architectural importance with an acute attention to detail.

Further to this, we can also rebuild chimney stacks, carry out structural repairs and give special care to listed buildings. We work hard to utilise the latest techniques and approaches to give you the best quality finish, with a team that’s able to combine modern methods with traditional aesthetics.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about our full range of brickwork and repointing services.