It would be best to repoint brickwork to properly repackage the mortar between each of the individual bricks, or stone blocks, that comprise your property’s outer covering. While many renovators can do DIY repointing, it may be advisable to hire a professional for the best result because it requires working at heights.
Following NYC Skyline Construction’s detailed guide, you can take on a modest repointing job and obtain a fantastic finish.
What is Repointing Brick?
Specifically, repointing brick or “tuck-pointing” refers to removing old mortar between bricks or stone blocks and replacing it with new mortar.
This process rebuilds those degraded mortar joints; these can degenerate with time due to effects such as weathering or aging.
Repointing restores masonry’s stability and aesthetics by filling in these gaps or cracks.
What Makes Us Think that It Is Time to Re-point Bricks?
The process of repointing brick, which means the renewal of the external part of the mortar joint in brick masonry, is required under certain circumstances to reinforce the construction and geometric looks of the buildings. Here are reasons why repointing is necessary:
- Mortar Deterioration: Mortar tends to degrade, become compromised, or even turn into powder due to damage caused by weathering, freeze-thaw cycles, and aging, which exposes the bricks to moisture.
- Visible Gaps or Cracks: It’s evident that where large gaps or slightly defined cracks occur to soften or shrink the mortar, the capacity of walls is diminished.
- Depth of Erosion: Any erosion beyond 1/4 inch will compromise the mortar joint depth and undermine the bond of bricks and the entire structure.
- Water Penetration: Water gain through mortar joints causes additional harm by soaking and freezing with the mortar and bricks.
- Appearance and Aesthetics: Old mortar can also peel, crack, or lose its color and texture, making it unattractive to the bricks and requiring repointing.
- Structural Integrity: Repointing enables the interlocking of mortar joints well enough to support the wall as it ought to be.
- Preventive Maintenance: Periodic inspection and early re-pointing probably reduce the need to carry out expensive brickwork replacement.
Safety Considerations
Whether hiring professionals or doing it yourself, safety is always a primary concern. Here are some essential safety considerations:
- Eye and Respiratory Protection
- Hand Protection
- Proper Ventilation
- Ladder Safety
- Tool Handling
- Work Area Safety
Repointing Brick Checklist of Tools and Material
- Tools: Chip and club, jointing trowel, rack, point, finishing trowel, and a stiff brush.
- Materials: Mortar mix containing hydrated lime, water, and sand.
- Mixing equipment: Bucket, mixing paddle, or mortar mixer.
- Cleaning supplies: Hose or spray bottle, sponge, and tarp or drop cloth to protect surrounding areas.
- Ladder or scaffolding: This is for accessing higher sections safely.
How to Repoint Brick? Step-by-Step Procedure
- Check Temperature: The weather should not be very cold or hot for 2-3 days before applying the mortar or between 40°F to 100°F.
- Protect Surfaces: Cover the ground before the brickwork with a drop cloth to prevent mess.
- Determine Mortar Depth: Measure the width of the vertical brick joints. Remove mortar to a depth twice the width of the joint:
- 1/4-inch joint: 1/2-inch depth
- 3/8-inch joint: 3/4-inch depth
- 1/2-inch joint: 1-inch depth
- Adjust Raking Tool: Adjust the values of the wheeled raking tool to the depth of mortar removal preferred by the worker.
- Rake the Vertical Joints: Begin at the unit’s top surface and run the vertical joint lines down. Clean the joints frequently using a masonry brush.
- Rake the Horizontal Joints: For horizontal joints, start at the top and, in the same fashion, blow out debris as you work down.
- Brush the Joints: Use a steel wire brush to eliminate the last remnants of the mortar. Aim at areas where there is an excess of mortar pieces.
- Clean the Brick Joints: Scrub the mortar off the joints with a masonry brush to prepare them for the new mortar to be applied.
- Mix the Mortar: Put the mortar in a bucket and add water to make it wet.
- Add Mortar to Joints: Start with the horizontal joints. Place mortar on a hawk board, then slide it into the joint using a pointing trowel. Fill the vertical joints next.
- Let Mortar Rest: Allow the mortar to dry for 30-45 minutes. If it doesn’t leave a depression when pressed, it’s ready for repointing.
- Strike the Joints: Run a margin trowel along the joints to remove excess mortar and shape it.
- Repoint Vertical Joints: Place the pointing trowel on the vertical joints and press the mortar so that it is compacted in the joints.
- Repoint Horizontal Joints: Do the same for the horizontal joints, which should be done uniformly with the mortar applied.
- Brush Away Excess Mortar: Over-pointing is done with a light brushing and running of the brush over the brick face, especially when attempting not to remove the newly applied point mortar from the joints.
Cost of Repointing Brick
Material Cost
Type O mortar is around $10 per 80-pound bag, which can repoint 35 to 40 square feet of brick with 3/8-inch joints filled to a 3/4-inch depth.
DIY Cost
Every time, repointing the brick yourself will cost roughly $0. 50 per square foot. The do-it-yourself solution costs $50 – $75 for a 100 square feet area.
Professional Cost
A mason charges between $4 and $17 per square foot to repoint brick. The price range for each area size from the above-provided data is $400 to $1,700 for a 100-square-foot area.
Call a Professional for Large or Complex Repointing Projects
Repointing brick is straightforward but labor-intensive. Masons have the expertise and equipment needed for extensive projects. Call a registered company like NYC Skyline Construction to ensure professional results for large or complex jobs.