Pointing & Matching Mortar colour

If the bricks or stone in your walls are starting to come loose and the mortar joints are showing gaps, you need take care of it soon to avoid water infiltration or premature deterioration of the veneer that may even lead to collapse.

At some stage in the life of a masonry stone structure, the mortar will need repointing. Also known as tuckpointing, it is the process of renewing the pointing, which is the external part of mortar joints in masonry construction.

Repointing your brick or stonework will be long-lasting only if the appropriate material is applied correctly and during the right weather conditions. It’s a job best left to a professional masonry expert. At Elite Masonry Restoration, our highly skilled tradesmen can ensure that the job is done to the best professional standard. We serve the London area and beyond and will be happy to give you a cost estimate.

Brick and Stone Repointing Involves:

PREPARATION

The pointing to be repaired must be dug out.  The weak mortar must be removed completely, leaving a surface at the end of the cavity. Tools used to do this should be handled with care and done only by experienced tradesmen. During digging, fragments that are dislodged must be removed completely using a brush or a water or air jet.

MORTAR

We use a mortar mixture of cement, lime, and sand specific for laying bricks or masonry. It is formulated for repointing to provide increased waterproofing, moisture permeability, and flexibility. We can match the mortar colour to the existing mortar.

POINTING

The surfaces to be pointed must first be moistened to minimize water loss in the mortar. Next, the mortar must be pushed to the end of the cavity and compressed firmly, in layers applied right after the previous layer hardens but before it dries. Finally, the point is profiled by giving it a concave, V-shaped, oblique, or other form of joint.

All of this must be done in the right weather conditions.