Repointing Brickwork The Right Way

 If you would like to know about repointing brickwork the right way then you will need to be prepared to learn new skills and carry out some intense research. Your home is more than likely the most important purchase you will ever make. Being your largest asset it is vital that you perform all the necessary maintenance to keep your home in good condition.

By repointing brickwork the right way your home will be strengthened, the looks will be improved and you can even add value. If you are not sure of how to repoint then here are a few tips to help you, although if you are not confident in carrying out the work yourself it might be better to contact a firm who knows exactly how to repoint brickwork.

Remember safety when repointing

When repointing brickwork the right way you must remember to work in a safe way. Working at height can be very dangerous and falls from height is the cause of many accidents and even deaths in the construction industry. You will need to wear the proper safety clothing and a hard hat.

If you are using scaffolding it is essential that this is put up correctly and check for safety each day before you start working on it. Make sure all of your tools are in good condition to help prevent unnecessary accidents.

Step One

Firstly you will have to work to remove all of the old mortar. You need to create a space of just over 1 CM between the bricks. You could use a chisel to do this and use a nail to scrape the mortar away. The easiest way of removing the mortar is to use an electric drill. You will need the correct drill bit though, which is a side cutting drill bit. Once you have a groove cut out wipe it over with a stiff brush to remove any bits of mortar left over.

Step Two

Mix the mortar so that the colour will match your mortar that you are repointing. You may need to experiment with all sorts of materials in order to achieve the right colour. If you get it wrong your home may not look as attractive as it could and it could be off putting if you do want to sell.

Add different coloured sands, or grab dirt or anything which will create the perfect colour match. Remember that the mortar needs to be quite stiff, but never stronger than the actual bricks. You can use hydrated lime with water and sharp sand for soft bricks or older homes. For newer homes you can carry out repointing brickwork the right way using a cement mix with soft sand and lime.

Step Three

To repoint brickwork the right way you will need a pointer trowel and a hawk. Before you start make sure the area you are working on has been dampened to help the mortar adhere. Once you are happy with the mortar mix, place some on the hawk and fashion it into long sausage shapes. Use your pointer trowel to push it into the grooves between the bricks of your home. You can then create a flush finish using a pipe and drawing it along the carefully pushed in mortar, going down the wall first and then horizontally.

Step Four

Finish the job of repointing brickwork the right way with a small brush. This should not be the stiff brush used in step one, the bristles need to be a lot softer. Brush offer the walls and the job is then completed.

Contact the Experts

The job of repointing brickwork is not easy. You can cause damage if the mortar is stronger than your bricks, and matching the colouring can be very difficult. If you do not have the tools, the patience or the confidence of repointing your brickwork the right way then find a company to help you.

Search online for a repointing firm with plenty of experience. Check out their past work and see if they have a gallery of past jobs where you can see the standard of their work. Contact the firm and ask them to come and give you a quote without obligation. Your home is worth keeping in good condition, and sometimes it is better to call in help rather than doing a bad job.

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