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Re-pointing (sometimes called Tuck pointing) used to refer to the practice of raking out the mortar joints between bricks, refilling them with a pigmented mortar and pressing on new joints, with white lime putty. This resulted in impressive, perfectly straight joint lines, which seldom indicated the actual joints between the bricks. It was once a useful way to camouflage bad brickwork. Nowadays, the term refers to the method of repairing joints between bricks. When these deteriorate, becoming cracked and crumbling, moisture can penetrate the house and damage internal walls. Repairing the joints calls for patience and care, but is not difficult. Remove the old mortar.First the old mortar must be scraped out of the joints using a pointing chisel and a club hammer. You could also use the routing attachment fitted to a power drill. Work on about a square meter of wall at a time. When the old mortar has been dug out to a depth of about 1Omm, brush the joints to remove remaining mortar fragments and dust Hose the brickwork down so it is damp but not dripping with water. This prevents it absorbing moisture from the new mortar and weakening the joins. Apply the mortar.Make up a small amount of 1:1:15 mortar (one part cement to one part lime and six parts clean sharp builders sand. Load some onto a Hawk (a square of 23cm plywood nailed onto a stub of broomstick) Carry this to the wall and force small amounts of mortar into the joints with a trowel, filling first the vertical joints then the horizontals. After you have filled all the joints in the square meter you are working on, tool the joints to match the existing wall. A length of pipe or dowel, or even a wet finger can be used to finish the joints so they are neat and weatherproof. After the mortar sets, clean down the surface of the bricks with a stiff brush. |
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