Brick walls wouldn’t be strong and sturdy without the mortar to create strong joints and stability. However, it won’t last forever. In time the mortar can start to crack and recede. In some cases chunks can fall out. When this happens it is a good idea to get repointing to repair the walls. As the top brick layers Huddersfield has, we can help with this.
How old is the property?
If you are looking at repointing, you need to think about the age of the property. This will influence the type of mortar.
For example, if the building is pre WWII it is likely that the builder chose a mix of sand and lime putty. If that is the case, you need to use the same type to repoint. This is important because that kind of mix has more flexibility, meaning it can handle the shrinkage and swelling of the bricks. When you choose a harder mortar, this won’t happen and it can break the bonds and force bricks out of place.
Repointing is easier on buildings that used the harder mortars to begin with. Here you can generally use a standard cement one. Again though it is worth checking to make sure you are using the right one.
How to do it
The actual task of repointing is relatively simple. It involves raking out the bed joints and cleaning out the head joints. The idea is to remove the damages mortar to make space for the fresh one. It is important to remove to a suitable depth. Then, it is a case of filling the joints with new mortar. This takes care to avoid staining the bricks. It is also important to finish the joints carefully.
Talk to brick layers in Huddersfield
At Best Brickwork we appreciate that people want their walls to look perfect. We can help with this, whether we are building new ones or repairing older surfaces. Our goal each time is to make sure the craftsmanship is first rate.
So, if you have concerns about the pointing on any surface or need another service, rely on us.