Pointing Brickwork Walls and Chimneys
The Most common problems we encounter when dealing with Chimneys and Brickwork Is Porous Or Cracked Mortar Between The Brick Joints.
How do we re-point the existing bricks in a property?
Re-pointing the original bricks is done on the joints horizontally and vertically. In old or existing walls and chimneys the cement may chip off or become defective. The mortar joints may be ineffective and warped. This kind of job can be corrected by repointing the existing cement. This work has to be done delicately to avoid breaking or damaging the existing brick surfaces. The dried and defective mortar from the joints is hacked out carefully. We have found that It is better to use an angle grinder for this type of work.
Before work can begin on the existing brickwork, any defective bricks should also be removed. This will ensure that when all the work that has been completed, it will look clean and pleasing to the eye. The mortar mixture to be used should be in the ratio of two parts sand and one part cement, occasionally lime will also be added to the mixture. Since this work is repeated, the soft sand should always be sieved with a gauze wire to make it fine. The existing existing brickwork should also be checked for other defects before chipping out the loose mortar. The majority of defects include horizontal cracks, vertical cracking, porous, missing or loose mortar.
Repointing a wall or chimney commences by removing the old mortar with an angle grinder or a hammer and chisel. This is raked out to a depth of about half an inch to three quarters of an inch. It is extremely important to ensure that any defective and loose mortar is removed completely and brushed away leaving a clean surface to work on. The wall is then adequately watered down ready for the new cement mixture to key in. This should be done continuously for approximately one hour to the entire work area. After watering down the work area and leaving it to dry for a short period of time, the repointing can then commence.
The mortar is mixed and applied to the open joints. The mixture should not be to wet nor to stiff. A small trowel is used for putting the mortar carefully into the joints. A smooth round edged metal bar is then used to key in the mortar mix firmly in to the brick work joints. The mortar should be allowed to ooze out slightly onto the brick wall. A soft bristled hand brush is used to remove the excess mortar. The process of pointing chimneys and walls is repeated on the entire wall or chimney surface.
On completion of the job, the wall or chimney may be watered down after a period of twenty four hours drying time.