The quality of the mortar surrounding your masonry has a direct effect on the stability and longevity of the bricks, so repointing is an essential part of brick wall maintenance.
At some point, every commercial and residential building with beautiful exterior masonry will need to be repointed. Repointing is the process of replacing the mortar in between bricks and prevents the building from water damage. The quality of the mortar surrounding your masonry has a direct effect on the stability and longevity of the bricks, so repointing is an essential part of brick wall maintenance.
The Basics of Mortar
Many homeowners and business owners think that mortar is the glue that holds individual bricks together. However, mortar is actually used to separate bricks from one another and create a cohesive wall. Mortar is softer than the bricks it is placed between, so it will show signs of damage sooner than the bricks do. Repointing a wall consists of removing the outside of a mortar joint and adding fresh mortar. Quality repointing from Del Prete Masonry can last for over 50 years.
Get Your Supplies Together
Before you attempt to repoint a section of a brick wall, you need to gather all of the necessary materials. Grab a chisel, cement mixer, pointing trowel, mortar board, scaffolding (if the wall is high), soft brush, wire brush, lime, sand, and white cement. Also, make sure that you practice and thoroughly prepare beforehand to avoid any mishaps.
Our Best Repointing Tips
When repointing a brick wall, you should always avoid using an angle grinder. It is easier to do damage with these than to actually get a nice finished product. You should always try your best to replicate the composition and appearance of the existing mortar. Make sure that you carefully measure each part of the mortar when you are mixing it, so that you can duplicate the mixture for the rest of the brick wall. Always work from the top down so that dust and water spray won’t hit joints that have already been repointed.
Your Preferred Masonry Restoration Professional Is Del Prete Masonry
If you are ready to upgrade your home or commercial building with professional masonry installation or replacement, Del Prete Masonry has the experience and expertise to get the job done right for the right price. To explore our residential and commercial services and set up a consultation, please give us a call at 410-683-0650 or contact us online. We currently serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and get more updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.
Tags: masonry contractor, repointing, restoration