| Pointing and repointing brickwork and stonework | | | | sits flush with the face of the brickwork, which is |
| can be a very time consuming task and although | | | | created by wiping over the finished pointing with |
| it may look easy it takes a bit of experience and | | | | the trowel. |
| patience to get a finish that compliments the | | | | Weathered pointing |
| brickwork to its full potential. | | | | In weathered pointing the mortar slopes outward |
| We would recommend seeking the services of | | | | from the upper brick to the one below. This |
| local brickwork contractors with the experience | | | | pointing method is suitable for all brickwork, and |
| and professionalism to achieve the best result. | | | | as the name explains this method of pointing is |
| However if you wish to go down the DIY route, | | | | best suited for bad weather conditions. To |
| we have included a quick guide below to instruct | | | | achieve this finish you need to complete the flush |
| you on how to go about repointing your | | | | pointing method to remove any excess mortar |
| brickwork. | | | | and then using the edge of the trowel, press in |
| Firstly you will need to remove any mortar that is | | | | the upper edges creating a slope in the mortar. |
| loose or damaged. There are many methods | | | | Mortar will most probably protrude the brickwork |
| available for removing the old mortar, one of | | | | at the bottom of the slope and can be cut flush |
| which can be achieved using a plugging chisel or | | | | using the trowel edge. To create a smooth finish |
| small bolster. Very loose stuff can simply be | | | | you can use a smooth strip of metal bent at the |
| raked out with a screwdriver or similar. This can | | | | end and run across the mortar, alternatively you |
| be time consuming and there are other methods | | | | can purchase a tool called a frenchman. Just |
| and tools that can make this job easier. | | | | before the mortar completely dries, lightly brush it |
| We would advise to take the joints to 10mm | | | | across its top to brush away any odd scraps of |
| minimum and then follow up by using a wire brush | | | | mortar. |
| to remove any loose dust. | | | | Bucket handle / Half round pointing |
| Mixing the ideal mortar for the job is crucial to the | | | | Fill the joint flush with the surface as per the flush |
| application and the end result. | | | | pointing method above, then strike the joint to |
| The mortar mixture can be made from straight | | | | achieve the desired finish. There is a shaped tool |
| cement: fine sand mixture using 1 to 6 ratio. At | | | | available, called a brick jointer, but it can be done |
| this point you can add dry hydrate which gives | | | | with the rounded end of a tube and then moved |
| the mixture less tendency to shrink during setting | | | | across the mortar when still wet. Using this tool, |
| and will also aid in working with the mortar | | | | tend to the vertical joints before making long, |
| mixture. If you wish to add dry hydrate, you | | | | continuous joints along the horizontal joints. |
| would need to work on the ratio of cement 1 dry | | | | Raked pointing |
| hydrate 1 fine sand 6. There are mortar dyes | | | | This finish is similar to bucket handle pointing, but |
| available if you are trying to match an existing | | | | is a deeper hollow finish without the curve. Raked |
| pointing. | | | | pointing is unsuitable for exposed walls, because |
| When working the mixture into the joints we | | | | the angles are not appropriate to deflect rain. |
| recommend wetting the joints so as to minimalise | | | | Using a special tool called a chariot, run along the |
| the absorption of moisture into the bricks. | | | | wet mortar. As in the bucket handle pointing, rake |
| Using the edge of the trowel, press the mortar | | | | out the vertical joints first and then make long, |
| into the joint leaving the mortar protruding from | | | | continuous strokes along the horizontal. |
| the brickwork/stonework. | | | | 'V' joint pointing |
| From the mortar left protruding the bricks, there | | | | Again similar to the hollow pointing finish. This |
| are a number of different styles you can apply to | | | | method differs by creating a definite line in the |
| the mortar. | | | | middle of the mortar joint. This style of pointing |
| Flush pointing | | | | compliments new brickwork and again allows rain |
| This style of pointing is as the name explains and | | | | to easily run off the face of your brickwork. |